Who was your special dog?

[ladydoc]

The posts I read about what did your dog do that was unusual got me thinking about all of the dogs I have had. As much as I loved them all, one was most special to me. Here is my special dog story. Who was yours?

His was an AKC champion mini doxie, long red hair with black ear tips and fringe.
I saw an ad in the paper for him..he was 4 and the breeder wanted to sell him. When I asked why he told me that he had been shown and won all these championships and then he was used as a stud dog. Now he was no longer making him any money and he did not want the expense of caring for him. Needless to say, I took the little guy off his hands. He was my little buddy and my shadow for almost 14 years. He went everywhere with me, including to work occassionally. He never left my lap or my side. He was the best listener and had the kindest heart.

He also had the heart of a lion. My other dogs at the time were a german shepard and a rhodesian ridgeback and this little 11 pound dog would put them in their place with a growl and a bark. When he wanted my sole attention he would place each dog in a corner. And they stayed there.
He loved everyone, especially kids. I was at work the day he passed at almost 18. My husband said he came to him, wanted some pets and then went to his bed. When hubby checked on him, he was gone. I was absolutely devistated. Still am. But it is better to have a broken heart then never to have loved a dog.

Who was your most special dog?

[ladydoc]

No one has a story to share?

[tainsley]

My best bud was a golden retriever/lab mix. His name was Henri. When we went to the animal shelter 15 years ago, there he was in a pen with seven beagle pups and for some reason he just stood out! We picked him! Brought him home, the kids named him, and he became their constant companion. They taught him to fetch balls because they always needed an extra outfielder...his ball of choice was a tennis ball though. Never saw him without one (and sometimes two) in his mouth or next to him as he slept. As the years went by, kids went off to college he became my constant companion. One of my favorite things to do is garden. Needless to say while I would be pulling weeds or planting Henri would drop his tennis ball in my tool basket and stare at me until I threw it. He would run after it and for about five minutes he would sniff the balls' trail, tail going in circles, before he would drop it back in the basket. This would go on until I finished my gardening (sometimes for hours). I could go on with hundreds of stories about my buddy Henri. He passed away two years ago and its funny but I still miss him. I still keep one of his dirty, smelly tennis balls in my gardening basket and every once in a while I toss it. Of course I have to go fetch it these days but I do so with a smile and a tear in my eye and a happy memory of my best buddy! :smiley:

[Trish Crocker]

Years ago when my children were small, I was living in a rural area in a house far back from the road. My neighbor asked me to go with her to the shelter because she wanted a puppy. When we got there, she found the pup but the pup's mom was there also, a small shepherd mix. I asked what they were going to do with her, they said that the had gotten her from a person that owned a marina, that she was very good with strangers during the day but would guard at night. Since #1. I was living alone with two small kids and #2. I couldn't stand the thought of them putting her down, I decided to take her home. Her name was Sam and she was wonderful. One day, soon after I had gotten her, my son was playing in the yard. As I walked out to him, I noticed a pack of dogs that I had never seen before heading toward my son, they were about 10 feet away. Sam immediately walked between the dogs and Brian, giving me time to get him back into the house. She stood her ground, she was not going to let those dogs anywhere near him. I have no idea what would have happened if she had not been there...maybe nothing, but I am still eternally grateful to her.

[ladydoc]

Great stories!

[Mikeod]

My dog story is about my black lab, Sydney. We got her from a non-kill shelter in Rancho Sante Fe, CA. She had been there for over eight months because she wouldn't allow anyone but a few shelter workers near her. When we told them we wanted to adopt her, they put us in a room with a sofa and carpet and brought her in to see us. As soon as she saw us she started backing away until her butt hit the sofa. Then she climbed backwards until her rear was on the sofa seat and her front paws on the carpet. Then she got her front end onto the seat, then her back end onto the top of the sofa back, then her front end. So she sat balanced on the back of the sofa. We decided to come back another time.

On our next visit, we tried coaxing her with food, no dice. When the workers realized we were serious about her, they decided to try to trick her. She loved to walk, so one of the workers got a leash and started her on a walk with us trailing several yards behind. After a short period, the worker waved us to catch up and quietly handed us the leash. After a little bit, Sydney turned around and saw us on the end of the leash. It was as if she said, "Oh well" and just kept walking. She was our dog from then.

But my story is of our walks with Sydney around our neighborhood. On one walk, she startled a cat that was resting in the shade under a car. From that point on, whenever she passed a car parked on the side of a street, she always bent down to check out whether there was a cat under the car. We had to wait while she made sure there were no felines hiding there.

We had to get a harness to walk Sydney because we did not like the pull on her neck when she saw something to chase. We were at the Grand Canyon when something startled her and she took off running toward a low wall at the edge of the canyon. Fortunately, she had her harness on and we had a strong leash, because she leaped to go over the wall. I held the leash tight so she didn't even get close to going over, but it scared the heck out of all three of us.

Sydney broke her leg several months after we got to TV. I am still a little haunted by carrying her into the vet, and coming home with just a leash and collar. We still miss her.

[pooh]

And there's more to the Sydney story....this little pooch loved the water. While on one of our RV road trips, we were in Missouri I believe it was. We took a walk in the woods and came upon a rather rapidly flowing river. The dog was on a leash, in her harness so we didn't pay too much attention to her. Suddenly, there was a tug on the leash, she had decided to go for a swim and was starting to head downstream. It was like we were fishing and reeled in a doggie... ;)

She also loved to play catch and I'm not good at throwing a ball far enough for her. When Mike got home from work, she'd have her ball ready and would be dancing at the door to the back yard, ready for a game of throw and fetch. Some nights it was DARK and still, she'd see that ball and never miss a mid-air catch.

It's sad that our furry friends don't get to spend as much time with us as we'd like. She enjoyed her life, though a bit timid of strangers till she knew them, she was a great protector of our house. The mailman was one of her enemies though. One day as he was delivering a box to the house, he asked, "Why doesn't she like me?" I told him she came with that "problem." While visiting our son who lived in Las Vegas at the time, we were all in the front yard when suddenly the mailman's truck went by...Sydney was off like a shot. She was going so fast, she didn't have time to bark....lol. The dog could run faster than the speed of light and did so silently! One time in CA just before a visit to her vet for a checkup and shots, we were getting into the car and the mail truck went by. She was a blur. Ripped one of the pads on her foot. Luckily, we were off to the vet and he treated it. When I told him what happened, he just smiled, then laughed and bandaged her foot.

Oh, I miss my sweet pooch. Time took a great toll on my little athletic doggie. We had her for 12 years, not nearly long enough. She was 14 when she left us.

Thanks for letting us share our stories.

[dancerbill]

My best pet lives with me now. She is a small black and tan Chihuahua-Terrier mix who came into my life seven years ago when my wife, Violet, and I lived in Hawaii. Her real name is "Mimi," but she is "Baby" to me.

Violet and I lived in a rural area about 15 miles outside Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. We would walk down the dirt road past our house each morning for exercise. One morning, this little dog slipped under the fence of a neighbor's house about a half mile from our house as we walked by. She accompanied us on the remainder of our walk and came home with us.

For the next several days, it was a contest of wills as Violet and I attempted to return her to her rightful owners, and she would promptly come back to our house, making it clear that this was her new "adopted" home. Finally, my wife and I both lost and won as we lost the contest, and won her as our new pet. Her old owners recognized the futility of this tug of war, and agreed that she belonged with us.

She moved right in, making herself at home, and almost instantly became a companion with our existing pet, Charley, a male Chihuahua. She is truly a member of our family. When we moved from Hawaii to The Villages, both dogs accompanied us and very quickly became 4-legged "Villagers."

Baby is part of my life and my heart. I have never been loved as completely as she loves me, and have never had a canine companion that even comes close to her in terms of intelligence, involvement with our family, and importance in my life. Now, I am 71 years old, and she is 11, and -- if I am lucky -- we will both end our journey together and cross that "Rainbow Bridge" side by side.

Bill

[mgjim]

Toby was a mixed schnauzer and God knows what. He and I did everything together while I finished my junior and senior years of high school. I always parked in the same spot next to my parents' home and Toby knew it. Whenever he heard my car come down the street, he rushed over to the very spot where he could jump on me as I got out of my car. After I left for college, I was able to get home every couple of months and every time I drove up to my folks' house, Toby was waiting for me in the exact same spot. He slept with me whenever I was home and we went fishing together, running together, and just hanging out together. After finishing college, I was drafted and the day that I was leaving for basic training, Toby died from a brain hemorrhage. As much as I love dogs, none were as loyal as Toby. I still miss him, 40 years later.

[angiefox10]

Yep... Killer! A Boston Terrier we bought because the kids had moved out and we needed something to fill the house. We did our homework, we could just throw him in the washer and dryer and he was good to go...

Wow... Who knew??? We knew NOTHING about dogs and no idea that in a matter of days (or was it minutes) he would fill our home and our hearts.

That little black and white bundle... I swear he would try to talk to me. He loved the water and would play in the sprinkler for hours if we would let him (every year, we had to buy Hon his own pool) and as for balls... Well we would have to take them away after awhile too or he would wear himself out!

Killer loved people and other animals. If he heard a dog in distress on a shelter show, he would turn around and look at us like "help them" mommy... Help them!!!!

He was a such clown... He loved to make people laugh and would entertain us for hours and loved to play with the kids in the neighborhood... If he thought he did something that made you laugh, he would do it over and over. The kids would come over and ask if he could come out and play.

Because of killer we got involved in dog rescue, we were able to raise $12,000 to save a home for a transport coordinator, raised $500.00 for the Midwest Boston Terrier Dog rescue and transported over 500 dogs across the Midwest to their forever homes.

He was always happiest when we were all in the same room and hated it when we weren't.

If you sat down... he would be in your lap!

He was 14 and a half years old when we had to say good bye to him on November 8, 2010. I miss him so very much. We thought we were going to take him to TV with us, but it was not to be.

I love you sweet baby....

669

[MSNPA]

I had a dog as a child, however for almost 40 years I have been a cat person. We decided to adopt a dog in '09. Initially I thought we made a major mistake. It did not take me long to realize dogs are so much different than cats. Those first several months Sophie was like velcro; so very needy and so much work. I was so accustomed to cats and their independent nature. When both my cats passed away in '10 I was devastated, however having Sophie helped. Sophie was fun to have around, but it took me almost a year to fall in love with her and now I love her so much. She brings so much joy to our lives.
I love our daily walks, our trips to Starbucks, our naps, chasing her around the house, her kisses and simply looking in her big brown eyes. Indeed, Sophie is our special dog.

[sandybill2]

We had our "Maxie Dog." A stray of about 10 weeks when my husband brought him home. He had been hanging around the phone co. garage and my husband had been telling me about him. I said "don't bring him home--we don't need a dog." Well, I came home from work late one Fri night---there was this black lab mix running around in my house----husband said--when I opened the phone co. garage he had been locked in and I felt bad because he was so glad to see me--- we will only keep him for the weekend! Well, I think we all know where this story goes---oh, but the first thing he does is go into my living room and relieve himself---and not the watery kind!!!!! 12 years later, my husband and I are holding each other and crying in the parking lot of the Vet---we had to have him put down--- (probable cancer) we had them come out to the car as he was so terrified his entire life of the Vet. office. He went peacefully and we took him to our "River" cottage--his favorite place and buried him in the yard. He was such a member of our family---loved the beach---loved rolling in dead fish, etc., no matter how many baths he had to have because of it. Loved going into the crabbing creeks with us and actually scaring them away so it was hard to catch them but he so loved it. I remember one time when he found a dead one---came prancing out of the creek with it in his mouth--he was so proud that he had finally caught one. We used to fish from the beach---had minnows in a bucket---he used to "bob" for them--stick his whole head in the bucket and try to get them. PM--"Pre Maxie" we used to stay in hotels at Nags Head, etc., but we started camping so we could take Maxie with us. He gave us so much love! We have so many wonderful memories of him. I could write a book about the different experiences, etc. We still miss him even though it has been years since we lost him.

[Oren L Miller]

Being a man I don't like Fru fru dogs. You know cute little things but not very strong or manly. We went into a pet store and I saw a little black poodle that was in a pen with some bigger dogs and you could see he was being bitten. My wife wanted another dog and this was before we were smart enough to adopt. The 16 year clerk asked if they should clean him up or take him the way he was. The wife said we need to think about and I said we will take him the way he is. I was bullied in school so I needed to protect this little guy. He was going to be the wife's dog anyway. George decided he was going to be my dog. Understand he can walk if he needs to but I do spoil him a lot. He is always by my side and usually sitting on my chest. He has seizures and I am still protecting him and he gives me all the love I could ever want. We let Mom think he is still her dog as he was a birthday present but deep down inside we both know that he is mine and I am his. George is coming down to TV in April and I hope you all get to meet him. He is small and barks a lot but he is a lover through and through. He has never met anyone he doesn't like. My new golf cart will be black too so he blends right in. He teaches unconditional love. :doggie:

[jblum315]

Our very first dog was Jason an apricot Royal Standard (extra big)poodle. We acquired Jason when our first baby was an infant, so I had 2 infants to care for. When we moved to the suburbs there were no leash laws, so Jason roamed freely. He occasionally brought home stray dogs - once an Airedale whose owner said he had been missing for 6 weeks. He guarded our children - stood between children and driveway. Once he pulled down a little visiting boy by his pants who was trying to climb the swimming pool fence. When he wasn't roaming he rested under a big juniper bush and announced visitors by barking from his "cave" - people began to call it the barking bush. We had many more dogs, never one like Jason

[scrapple]

When we bought our home in Colorado, we met the owners (a long realtor nightmare story). They were a hippie couple with kids and cats and dogs and were moving from the 1920 farmhouse to a trailer closer to the mountain casinos and we bonded. There was a German Shorthaired Pointer that came bounding towards me named "Chance." He was 1yo and the last family member to come along. I bonded with him immediately and half jokingly asked if we could have him when discussing what they wanted to leave behind. When it came time for the house closing, they called and asked if I was still interested in him. So, Scrapple came to the closing and then to live with us.
Over the years, he became known as "The Neighborhood Ambassador." There are stories of how he greeted the next door neighbors by taking one of his favorite sticks to their front door and stand there until they acknowledged him by throwing it several dozen times for him. Another time, early on in our relationship, he decided to leave us, went to another neighbor, walked into her house, curled up in her laundry basket and slept there until the next morning. I never did know what we did wrong for him to leave us that night. At parties he would wear out everybody with his fetching endurance. And very strong! I have a picture of him on one side of the big stick and 3 14yos in a chain hold around the waist on each other on the other side of the stick and it was a tie! He was a very gentle loving boy that played hard, loved to hike and travel, went everywhere with us and stay with us as part of the pack.
He also was named "The Sage" by a neighbor because you could sit with him and work your problems out just by being still with him for a while.
Foster, an 8 week old Aussie cattle/Lab mix with strong cattle dog tendencies came when Scrapple was about 4. Initially Scrapple would have nothing to do with Foster, but did show him the ropes of how to be mannered in the house. After about the 1st year they became inseparable! They had separate beds close to each other but would still sleep together in the same basket. When we'd hike, we'd deliberately separate them because they were so inseparable that I was worried one would have separation anxiety if the other was gone. Eventually that did happen. Foster died at 8 of bone cancer. It was a lesson for me to learn that dogs can stay on prednisone forever where humans will have many side effects. I stopped the prednisone and the cancer advanced quickly and then it just became a matter of time for Foster.
About a year later, Scrapple's docs discovered that he had a large 6" tumor on his liver and told us that he had about 6 months to live. He was placed on prednisone and I never missed a dose! He continued to play hard and we'd take him in for 4-6 month check ups and everyone was surprised at how The Sage continued with life. Eventually we did our own hospice care with chicken and rice, pain meds and prednisone, a few extra pillows. He dwindled from more age than the tumor. Scrapple slowed down, his vision started to go, his limbs became weak and he began to fall. You could see the look of embarrassment on his face when he wanted to come up on the bed alone and we'd have to lift him. He lost his muscle mass and we had to make a decision to help him die when he was 15. We picked a weekend date but the Friday before that day my husband stayed home with him, called me at work and said "it's time." He apparently fell over and couldn't get up. We took him to the vets and they were ready for Scrapple with pillows and blankets and started the IV. I've been with many people when they died both in my career and personally and I've always found it an honor to be with a soul at that time. I'm humbled by the look of peace. I thanked Scrapple for the life and love he shared with us and told him Foster was waiting, said "Go get Foster" (which was his favorite game). I swear his eyes brightened momentarily and then the spirit left the body. Very beautiful and peaceful.
I've had many dogs and loved them all, but Scrapple will always be the special one to me. Thanks for the opportunity to share his story!

[dgc2861]

I got Shaina two years after I bought my house. She was fast asleep in a pet store the first time I saw her and I fell in love. We had a couple of dogs in my family growing up, but I never owned a pet as an adult. She is a sweet Shih tuz/Chihuahua mix who is 13 now and is 5 lbs of personality. She knows so many words and sometimes I can just look at her and know what she is thinking.

She has been the healthiest dog all her life, never going to the vet except for annual check ups and shots. The night I came home from a cruise to celebrate my 50th birthday in February, she greeted me at the door panting and crying, she couldn't catch her breath and I knew something was wrong. The next day the vet told me she was in Congestive Heart Failure. She is on medicine and has slowed down and sleeps most of the day, but is still her same sweet self. She has about a year left and in a way I'm glad I know-I can pamper her and make her last year the best year of her life....I certainly will miss her - she is my heart and my "forever" dog.

Sue (and Shaina) in Pittsburgh (but dreaming of TV)

[spk7951]

In June 1994 we lost our 1st adopted dog Sally. After a vacation in late July 1994 we decided on a spur of the moment to go to the MSPCA in Springfield MA to see what dogs were avail for adoption. They had maybe 20 or so dogs and probably a couple of dozen folks looking. As we walked around this one black puppy caught our attention. When we walked by her cage she would come to the front as if to get our attention and then sit in the back whenever anyone else would walk by. We finally asked an attendant if we could take her out to the courtyard to see how the three of us interacted. Once in the courtyard we put her on the ground and my wife & I sat on the bench. Katie then jumped up onto our laps and laid down across both of our laps. We were instantly sold so to speak and still feel that she picked us. During our time together she always wanted to be with us no matter what room we were in and would greet us at the door whenever we went out. She was an absolutely wonderful friend to us before she passed away recently. As much as we miss her we are blessed to have had 17yrs with Katie.

[angiefox10]

Bump

[pooh]

These stories have all be heartwarming and wonderful to read. It's amazing how quickly these little or big bundles of fur become members of our families and held so close to our hearts.

Thanks so much ladydoc for allowing us to share with others, some of the great experiences we've had with our 4 legged family members.

I anxiously await more!

[angiefox10]

These stories have all be heartwarming and wonderful to read. It's amazing how quickly these little or big bundles of fur become members of our families and held so close to our hearts.

Thanks so much ladydoc for allowing us to share with others, some of the great experiences we've had with our 4 legged family members.

I anxiously await more!


:agree: I've been reading these at work during lunch and bawling my eyes out!!! These little guys will be remembered always!!! Keep them coming!!

[schotzyb]

In June 1994 we lost our 1st adopted dog Sally. After a vacation in late July 1994 we decided on a spur of the moment to go to the MSPCA in Springfield MA to see what dogs were avail for adoption. They had maybe 20 or so dogs and probably a couple of dozen folks looking. As we walked around this one black puppy caught our attention. When we walked by her cage she would come to the front as if to get our attention and then sit in the back whenever anyone else would walk by. We finally asked an attendant if we could take her out to the courtyard to see how the three of us interacted. Once in the courtyard we put her on the ground and my wife & I sat on the bench. Katie then jumped up onto our laps and laid down across both of our laps. We were instantly sold so to speak and still feel that she picked us. During our time together she always wanted to be with us no matter what room we were in and would greet us at the door whenever we went out. She was an absolutely wonderful friend to us before she passed away recently. As much as we miss her we are blessed to have had 17yrs with Katie.

Read your comments and had to reply on a sticker I saw on a car at Doggie Doo Dog Park this morning. It contained four paws and the words "Who rescued who"?

[ladydoc]

These stories have all be heartwarming and wonderful to read. It's amazing how quickly these little or big bundles of fur become members of our families and held so close to our hearts.

Thanks so much ladydoc for allowing us to share with others, some of the great experiences we've had with our 4 legged family members.

I anxiously await more!

You are most welcome. I have been sniffling my way through all of them...

[angiefox10]

.

[spk7951]

Read your comments and had to reply on a sticker I saw on a car at Doggie Doo Dog Park this morning. It contained four paws and the words "Who rescued who"?

Great sticker!

[oot]

I always wanted a dog all my life. When my husband proposed I had several things we had to agree on before I said yes. First - I had to take care of my family no matter what - Second - I wanted a dog. You know, a small non-shedding little lap dog.

So one Thanksgiving day, he decided to give me an early Christmas gift. He walked in with a paper box and this puppy. The dog looked at me like "who on earth are you" and I looked at him like "what the heck is that". Not the little lapdog I had wanted at all - but the hunting dog that my husband liked instead. I was so disappointed, but boy oh boy it only took a day and I was in love with that freckle faced pup.

Rusty was a Brittany - the largest of the bunch. He stood much taller than a normal Brittany - closer to 60 lbs instead of that 45 he should have been. He was my buddy and pal. He hated to be alone - so he ALWAYS had a sitter when we were working. He would come in the bedroom and bounce his head against the bed when he wanted to go outside - then twist his head like "come on come on". He was so funny!

He was a diabetic as he got older but it never really slowed him down. He lived several years and tolerated getting shots every day. Never complained - what a good boy!

I don't think there will ever be a crazy dog like Rusty. I had my friend paint a portrait of him from a picture for my husband for Christmas. It was so life-like! My husband could not even look at the picture for a long time.

It is just amazing how one little freckled face pooch could give so much so much love!

[jebartle]

My special little friend is current....Made the trip to TV and my husband's little friend Levi lost his battle with congestive heart failure and we thought that would be the end of the pets for this family, because they were soooo close....Needless to say, 2 months later, we are off to get another dachshund....Decided to get a long-hair, never dreamed that adorable came as part of the package.....Here is Moses, all four paws in the air, resting against his siblings, dreaming doggy dreams I'm sure...Picked him up to replace the ole boys little friend but after 37 years of marriage, this dog LOVED me, Yea!....Moses, I'm sure will follow me to the ends of the earth, but I'm certainly not deserving of this loyalty but LOVE it just the same! His favorite game is blanket monster, his long floppy ears look like a plane getting ready to land on the tarmack, so he can attack the moving hand under the blanket....2nd favorite game, is rolling on that yummy road kill, Ugh!....How can I ever show this sweet little dog the love and loyalty he gives me day after day....He is my special little friend...

[mac9]

My best buddy was Sundae, a Jack Russell/hound mix. I wish that I could tell you all of these great stories, but, suffice it to say, she was my pal from age 4 to age 22. I even commuted to college as I didn't want to leave her. She died the day before I was to leave for NYC for my first job. I still think about her.

[hedoman]

Favorite? All of them! Basset Hounds, Blood Hounds and Labs always loyal and always there for us. I miss them all......