For the Love of a Dog or Two
Dog is known as man's best friend. They are called this for a number of reasons. Loyalty, courage, love, faithfulness. The list goes on, but with each of them there is a special bond that they form with their owner. I don't like to use the word owner, I don't own the dog, I care for them and they in turn care for me.
They come in every shape, size and color. From the funny looking doxie to the huge Mastiff. Solid in color, many colors, long hair, short hair, wire hair. No tail, long tails, big ears, little ears. They come in so many way's it's difficult to describe them all.
The one thing that they all have is love for their owner. Treated right, they will love you, protect you and always be by your side. Even dogs that are mistreated will love their owners.
Descendants of wolves, and many times you can see the wolf in them. They have been mixing with humans for thousands of years. We use them to herd and guard livestock. We use them as War Dogs, we use them for every imaginable task. And they, in turn, excel at the tasks that we give them.
I have had dogs all my life, and currently have two dogs. A mini doxie named Wiki, AKA, Wiki the Warrior Wonder Wiener AKA Hebrew National and Annie the Orphan, a mutt of about 35 lbs.
Most of you know the story on both. Wiki we found starving in a parking lot in Wikiup AZ, she was around three months old when we rescued her. Annie was a stray that was living in a house under construction in back of us. She is between 7 and 8 years old. When we found her she was starving and had bite wounds on her forehead, snout and hind leg. She was was fighting for her life as was Wiki.
Both times, the Redhead (my wife) and I said, no more dogs, we are retired and what to have the freedom to travel and not the responsibility of caring for dogs.
Well, seeing Wiki in the parking log starving, no water and she had fought off other animals, shown from the bite marks on her. We simply could not leave her, once she was in the truck with us on our way home to Henderson NV. A couple of hour drive, we knew that we would do our best to save her and would keep her. Last year the second trauma befell her. A spine injury rendered her paralyzed in her hind legs, she was just short of 5 years old. She came through the surgery and is walking and running again. Not like before the injury, she runs like a Kangaroo now. Annie has been with us since Oct. and is back in good health.
Your probably wondering what in the world am I babbling on about. Well you know what the dogs get from us. Food, water, shelter, love.
It's what we get from them that really counts.
Wiki our little 13 pound guard dog and Annie our 35 pound body guard for Wiki give us many things.
We were concerned about them taking up our free time, well, being retired we have a lot of free time and they fill in that time for us. I would rather walk in the woods with them and enjoy nature then take a cruise. I would rather play chase with them then go to a fine resturant. They make us laugh with their antics. They never leave my side and for that I'm grateful.
Bath time is a three ring circus and one that I love, since I end up laughing and making a mess. Red isn't happy about it, but she tolerates it. They are my fishing buddies, and love being in the boat with me.
In the evening, Red will sit in her chair reading, soon Wiki will be there and wants to be picked up. Soon she is snuggled in next to Red, enjoying life. I'll be sitting on the couch and Annie will be sitting next to the couch. She's to big to be on the furniture, which she understands, but I'll have to get her blanket and lay it on the floor next to the couch. They she expects me to pet her while I'm reading. Soon the both of them will be fast asleep. Red and I will look at each other and shrug, what can we say, they are our best friends.
A few years ago, I was taking Wiki for a walk in the desert and we were approached by two coyotes. In the area we lived in they can be very aggressive and small dogs are a meal for them. As they approached, Wiki put her little body between me and them and proceeded to issue them a warning. She would not have stood a chance against two coyotes but she was willing to protect me at the cost of her life.
Annie on the other hand is 35 pounds of muscle, a very powerful dog, but one that loves everyone. If she feels that Wiki is in danger, she puts that powerful body right next to Wiki and issues a warning to everyone, do not try to hurt Wiki cos you'll have to deal with me.
As I said earlier, what do we get from them. Well my friends it's difficult to explain. We talk to each other, Red thinks I'm a bit nutty, but we do understand each other well. Wiki, Annie and me that is.
I guess what we get from them is that we all know that were there for each other. And that is what really counts.
In a couple of hours Annie will be awake and ready for her walk, we'll head into the timber and she will run free. Wiki is the sleep in type and isn't ready for a walk till around 11am. Then it's me, Red and the girls headed into the unknown. Since we live in the mountains the walks are really exhausting, but watching those nubbie little legs of Wiki, pumping away, trying to keep up with Annie makes it all worthwhile.
As we watch them romp, run and play, perhaps it reminds us of our childhood, when we were free to romp and play. Being a kid or a dog isn't all that bad a deal.
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For our dog friends.
I have had cats and dogs all of my life. I can't imagine what life would be like without them!
Our dogs are in three sizes, Medium, Small, and Extra Small. They are, respectively, gray & white, brown & white, and black & brown. Their sweet eyes are tan, brown, and blue.
Tommy, the largest, is his Daddy's boy, and is happiest when sitting on his Daddy's lap, even though he is NOT what one would consider a lap dog at 55 pounds. Tommy's tail curls, and when he's really happy, his tail looks like a propeller swinging around. He's a bit slow on the uptake, but has common sense, and I would not stay in the house alone without him. People see him, think "pit bull", and are afraid to come near. I could not ask for a sweeter dog. He loves bunnies, and babies, and watches over all of us.
LuLu is our rat terrier. She looks like a Jack Russel, acts like a Jack Russel, but has very wise eyes-- I think she has been here before and has seen it all before. She loves the color pink, ruffles on her dresses, toenail polish, and glitters. If we put something on her that isn't pink, she manages to get it off right away-- but pink dresses and sweaters? She'll wear them all the time. She sleeps under my bed, and I will not stay alone in the house without her, either.
Freddy is a mini-doxie, 1/2 mini pincer, and 1/2 mini dachshund. He has a long dachshund body, and short legs. HIS tail is always wagging! He's so happy to be here! He is my comfort, and loves to be cuddled.
All of our animals are strays or rescues, and all of them are a part of our family. We would never take a vacation without them. They go with us to the camper, they love to go for walks, Freddy running so fast to keep up with Tommy-- LuLu acting like a princess, waving to the masses...
Our dogs answer a need inside my soul. I love them as if they were my own children, but of course Peep comes first. There is something about a dog that gives me a feeling of peace, of safety, of companionship, and of love. A dog is love. They don't care if you didn't get that promotion at work. They don't care if your hair has turned gray, and you suddenly find that your slacks give you a muffin top. To them, you are the smartest, prettiest, most wonderful thing on the planet, because they know they are loved.
I love my cats, my dogs, and have been fortunate to have had them all my life. Like many people, I wonder what heaven will be like. One thing I know, they are the representatives of God's love to us. If they are not in heaven, it won't be heaven.
Thanks, Kavika, for a wonderful article!
Thanks for sharing this Kavika! Idon't have dogs (cat person here!
) but I just love your stories about Wiki and Annie...gives me the warm fuzzies! 
That's quite the herd you have Dowser...a 55 pound lap dog, now must be a sight. Wiki, the mini doxie, is a cuddler as well..LOL..Yesterday Wiki was being a pain and Annie started growling at her. Wiki would lick her face everytime she growled at her. Soon Annie just gave up and walked away...LOL
Hi Uptownchick, happy that you enjoy the stories. I have a photo somewhere, where a cat is leading Wiki around by her leash..LOL..It's classic, I have to try to find it again and post it.
I read the other stories you posted but never got the chance to comment...they brought tears to my eyes! My kitties have their own "tales" that I'm going to have to share sometime! I would love to see more of and hear more about the Adventures of Wiki & Annie!
oh and btw...please call me Uppy...all my friends do!
OK, I'll call you Uppy. Would love to hear the stories of your kitties.
Wiki and Annie..Amos the armadillo is missing, he's camera shy. He lives under the front deck..LOL, it's true.
The way the interact with one another is so very fascinating and funny! They have their own society, superimposed on our little society...
I love to watch them!
Very nice essay.
I'm a Dawg Dood.
Hi Tex,
Great photo.
120 something pounds of enthusiasm..LOL..that is quite a lot of enthusiasm.
Nope, don't understand cats at all. Although my son has a beautiful cat that's quite friendly.
That is a Big Ass Bulldog.
I've had cats before. Mostly yard or barn cats. A few of them were fine critters. Mosltly though, truth be told, I love other people's cats.
I think the best one was Buffalo. Pink Cat would probably come in second. Anyhow, Buffalo was a grey domestic american short hair. I was living in Portland, Or at the time and had noticed him sleazing around an alley for a couple of months. I ended up having to negotiate with a group of bums down on Burnside for him as they collectively claimed ownership. I figured a bottle of Thunderbird was a small price to pay for PR and made a swap. I lured the then unnamed Buffalo into the back of the truck with a can of Spam.
He was a MoFo of a cat. He was almost as good as a dog.
WHAT a sweetheart!
LOL, good story Tex..Love the photo as well.
Cats are inscrutable, for sure!
I love them because they do exactly as they dam well please, and "allow" us to love them. Such grace! Such wonderful grace, as they move through the house. I love their song, (purring), "Gray thumbs, Gray thumbs", and I love their sweet little feet. My cats stick byme like glue when I'm sick or heartsick. Sometimes, when I'm petting them, they "show me the belly", the ultimate of confidence in me. Their little faces smile at me, when they're happy.
Cats just think differently than we do, for sure-- but knowing a cat well, is like learning a foreign language--once you start figuring out what they are telling you, it is truly fascinating! The set of their ears, their tail movements, how they hold their shoulders-- a cat speaks with body language.
When two cats meet, and stare, face to face, they are testing each other's mettle. They really don't want to fight, but they want to make a point. This is MY yard. Go away. Sometimes, they will be face to face, about 2" from each other, yowling and screaming. Then, someone blinks, and they will race off! No one really wants to fight, they just want to make a point. But, if someone doesn't back down, a fight is inevitable...
Cats see movement, better than objects, which is why a ribbon pulled along the floor is such a fun toy for them. But, they can't see something in their food dish, because they are very far-sighted. Their whiskers are very sensitive to things that brush against them, andair currents, and they can smell things about 100X better than we can.
I love mine, and that's the truth. We have three!
LOL, Tex! That reminds me of Roo! Roo was a tuxedo cat, 18 pounds. He lay on the front porch, just daring a dog to walk down the sidewalk. If one did, Roo would take off like a shot, jump on the dog's back, and ride it down to the end of the street. Then, he would dust off his paws, and walk back to the porch as if to say, "Take THAT, you worthless beast!"
I loved Roo, and still miss him!
Sounds like Roo and Buffalo might be kin. Buffalo would lie in wait under the porch till the neighbors pit bull moved into his territory. He shoot out like a bullet and run the poor dog down the road. That dog was scared to death of Mr Buffalo.
I love these doggie stories. I am not happy without a dog or two around.
Neither am I Grump...An important part of my life.
A great deal of the time I prefer the company of my hound buddy to two legged upright walking critters. Heck, most of the time.
My dogs are my fishing buddies, hiking buddies and football watching buddies..Yup, many times I prefer their company to humans.
Yup.
hat a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing! I have a shitzu, whom I got for my birthday from my da which just happened to be the day after I had to put my little Teko down. Teko was a black and white miniature pom and I loved him dearly. Jada, the shitzu was going to be returned to her previous owner by my da and I had thrown a fit about it. I told her she better not get rid of that dog and I had already formed a bond with her. So after putting Teko down I was really not into taking on another dog but hey! She was my bd present! But she was lonely which led me to go to the shelter to get a kitty. Well Sheba is much the same color and same age as Jada and she piked me! So they were the perfect pair and about the same size too!
Then about a year later my grandson was wanting a beagle. Lo and behold we passed someone on the road holding a sign that said free beagles. Well, I got the beagle and the grandson was not allowed to have it! So we named her Lucy and I love her bunches.
pets are like children to us older folks and much easier to take care of I think. My pets keep me sane!
Delgado sounds like a mighty fine friend.
The Grand Paw of my current miscreant hound did much the same thing. I had a party when I was living in Oregon and a whole bunch of folks came over he'd never met. At one point in the evening we lost electricity for a minute or two while we were all hanging in the kitchen. It went blacker than black. I heard a thump and an "Oof". When light returned I could see what happened. Big Dawg calmly walked up to a guy he didn't know standing behind me, put his head in the guys crotch and backed him against the wall. Soon as there was light Dawg went on about his business of finding people food.
OMG Badfish, I'm so damn happy to hear that Delgado made it home and is alright. What a horrible experience for him. I can see why you and your family consider him a hero...HE IS A HERO...
I am sure, like you, that dogs understand what your saying to them. I love the ending to the story BadFish. Thanks for telling us about Delgado.
Wonderful story Linda. I know how it goes. Hells bells, we have two and if another showed up lost and alone, I'm sure we would take her/him in.
The postman was so afraid of Roo, he wouldn't deliver the mail if he was on the front porch, which was silly, because Roo didn't mind people-- he just had a thing for dogs...
I think maybe Buffalo and Roo are waiting for us...
I'm so glad that Delgado made it home!!! They know who loves them!
I can't imagine a kennel losinga dog! Holy Schmoly! I'm so glad he's home!
good one Tex.
I like your goats....
Ah ha, cute goat central.
The older I become, the more I prefer the company of canines to that of humans.
There is nothing like a dog, any one will do and cheaper than a shrink.
That is true luther...LOL, they are cheaper than a shrink, and a lot more fun to have around.
More effective as well.
I know they do the job for me luther. Dogs, that is.
You know Kavika, I'm not sure they understand the words, but they sure as hell know what you're saying.
They sure do Blue Wolf. It's amazing at times.
The ability of animals to understand us is uncanny. If only some people would understand them, the cruelty that we see would not be there.
I agree, Kavika.
I've always looked at people who do not like animals as having a character flaw somewhere. I understand that people have allergies and things and can't be around them, but to hate them and want to hurt them? I just don't understand that.
Don't they understand that we are one and the same? We're just clever monkeys, but we're all animals.
All of my animals do it for me. I love them all... Oh well, I've always been a nut for animals.
Agreed Mickey,
It's diffiuclt for me to understand that some people hate animals and many are very cruel to them. That, I cannot abide. I'm a strong advocate that animal cruelty should have much more severe punishment.
Mickey, I volunteer at an animal shelter. The number of animals that are dumped or beaten is sickening. Both of ours are rescues and two of the very best dogs that I've ever had.
Many people don't know, but most shelters are in need of blankets, towels, old dog/cat beds. Many things that we throw away can be a great benefit to them. If your ready to throw out some old towels, don't, give them to your local animal shelter.
Thanks.
Our dog is called "Jake", as two days before he arrived, my husband Randy suddenly had recalled and began to sing that song..."FEED JAKE". He was waiting for us at the local Christmas parade, where a little ole grandma had him as the last remaining puppy to give away- she apologized profusely that there were no more females left to choose from, but I just kinda laughed...it was just another confirmation to me that this was 'our guy', the dog I had been looking for and wanting for a year before we finally connected! What a friend he is, and what a joy!
We are partners, Randy, Jake, myself and our 2 cats: Daisy and BooBoo. Boo Boo had to go to the vet awhile back, and the since Jake goes everywhere with us and since he takes special care to look out for BooBoo, he went in with her. The vet asked which one he was seeing: the cat or the dog, so we told him...the cat. Jake is just her brother and wants to be sure she is O.K.
Could go on forever- what a great, great joy Jake has brought to our lives- he gives naked, honest, unreserved love and we all celebrate each other daily!
Beautiful story ARKY, sound like Jake was destined for your family. And Jake takes care of the cats, I love it.
Love you story Lilac, to rescue a dog/cat or any animals is opening your heart. They will win you over no matter now hard you try to avoid it.
Just for the Heck of it. Kids in the Hall. Terriers.
LMAO, Terriers are good..
What a beautiful dog.
I love dogs and cats both, but dogs are my favorite. They satisfy the need we all have to be loved. Right now, I am owned by one pug, poodle, and shi tsu combo named Sir PhugleyPhartsalot. He got thatlast name because he has a habit of pointing his rear at me and farting when I'm asleep. As I type this, he is on the twin bed right beside me under his blanket in front of the AC.
He came to me through a rescue group, and I saw his brother before I saw him. As much as I love dogs, this little critter was the ugliest thing I had ever seen, so I had to have one like him. Didn't matter if it was male or female, I wanted one. A week later, the girl called me and I had my Phugley. He was scared to death and shaking so hard, I thought he was having a seizure. I just cuddled him and whispered to him, pretty soon, he calmed down and I took him home. He immediately pooped on my shoes and purse.
The people that had him mistreated him something awful.About all his ribs had been broken, and the jerks broke his tail because it didn't curl enough. He is without a doubt the smartest little critter around these parts. He can't see too good anymore, but he knows when"his" Roger calls, even though I don't know if he can hear his voice or not. Give him a treat and he's your friend for life, but don't try to get him away from his mama and his Roger.
Dowser, you almost made me pee in my jammies with that one.
You and me both, Tex. I remember most of my dogs: Barbershop, Baby, Dammit, Whiskey, Beer, Poochy, Mutt, Foster and Phugley. Well, I consider Foster mine, even though he owns a friend instead of me. I think Phugley is the best of the lot, he is the only one I ever let sleep in the bed with me other than Baby. She peed on the pillow.
Love the photo Mickey. So damn cute, thanks for posting it.
Blue Wolf,Phugley understands words! I can ask him if he wants chicken and he is up and ready to go. Ice cream does it to him also. He loves anything that had feathers on it at one time, he eats jalapeno peppers and radishes.
Kavika, I found out something else with the donations to the shelters. Phugs had a 30 gallon garbage bag full of toys he just didn't want anymore. I threw them in the washer and dryer, then donated them. They LOVED them, and there were toys suitable for cats too.
LOL Leotie, old Pugsly is really something...jalapeno and radishes...OMG...
Raven Wing, you had me rolling on the floor with that story. Yes, they do understand, Wiki and Annie talk back to me. Amos, well Amos is to busy eating bugs and rooting around the garden...LOL...Rocky the groundhog is kind of a stay away guy. I leave out something for him to eat and he runs down the driveway, grabs it, and heads back to his cave...LOL
You can't tell where one starts and the other one ends..
Good photo Mickey.
This is Annie and Wiki the Warrior Wonder Wiener...title of photo, ''Sounds like food to me''...
Awww! I'm glad to finally see Annie! I've wondered what she looked like, ever since you got her. Funny, she and *Quadruple W* are very alike in their coloring, (kinda like the same dog in two sizes).I've only had one dog that I absolutely adored, he was a very large German Shepard that weighed 150 pounds, and on his hind legs, he was a head and shoulders taller than me! He LOVED children and cats, especially kittens, and would kidnap them regularly from their Moms. (the kittens, that is), he would take them to the shed for baths then block the door with his big body so they had to walk and climb over him to escape. In this day and age, I would probably be arrested for child abuse, but my son, from 18 months old was a *runaway*, so I would put his child harness and leash on the clotheslines, with "Adolph" on his leash, and they would play for hours. I finally gave him up to a family with several kids, that he had *adopted*, and would leave my house to visit them every day. I was very sad to do it, but he loved those kids as much as *his* little one, and we were moving. I have had several cats though over my (fairly) long life and really don't think I could live without at least one. The one I have now, almost 2, and hopefully for another 15 years or so, is a *Terrorist Monster* and soooo naughty he makes me crazy. But he also helps me to laugh every day and brings me great comfort with his cuddles and loves. He is a *Momma's Boy*, and would love to just live on my lap, even though he barely fits on it! He now weighs 16 pounds, and thinks he is still a teeny baby and still suckles on my fingers! Our pet children are one of Creator's Greatest Gifts!
Nookomis
So good to see you again Nookomis, where have you been?
They are almost identical in color. The long and short of it...LOL
Love you story as well my friend.
Great thing to do Leotie. There are so many things that we throw away that the shelter can use.
My dear Kavika, I am here as I can be.................my computer is wacky, and some days won't let me do anything at all! Other days like today, for a little while at least, it let me into Nt! I certainly don't have the $$ to get a new one, so I try to take it's temper tantrums in stride.
I sure do miss everyone!
Nookomis
We all miss you as well Nookomis. Have you had anyone look at the computer to see what's wrong with it?
Hugs to you my dear friend.