Man, how I love dogs. I have a sneaky idea where the fascination started, since I've had a dog in my life as long as I can remember. My first dog memory is of Lanny, a Bassett hound who got so frozen in the backyard that Dad laid him on a blanket on the oven door! Mom had an apricot poodle named Lady, but I only remember stories of her. Actually, I'm pretty sure it was Dad that instilled a love of dogs, though I only realized that later in his life as he gave a great deal of time to Leader Dogs in Lions. (One of my favorite pics of Dad...he looks like a happy little boy!)
In the mid-1960's we moved back to Lyndon. Our neighbors, the Bronsons, had Irish Setters (my all time and forever favorite breed). Dad and Jack hunted together, and it wasn't long before we had an IS, Molly of Shawn B. The men worked together, breeding and selling pups. Dad added Lhasa Apsos, then an English Sheepdog. I spent my time with the big dogs and loved both Molly and Miss Winnie (Step Aside Sweet Isabel). Now, the best time with the dogs was puppy time! Molly was a great mama and had big litters of shiny Irish red pups. Winnie gave us a litter of happy, fluff balls! The Lhasas had teeny tiny pups, but the mamas were not very welcoming. The three month old pups were sold through a very well-run network (back then), and a couple even were flown to families back east. I entered my teenage years with Molly and her daughter Suzy, and then to college with none.
At community college I lived in a trailer during the summer all by myself. One early morning, I heard crying, almost a baby cry, but not, and it was coming from my front porch. As I opened the door, in tumbled a shivering, tiny pup with tears running down its cheeks. She didn't flinch when I picked her up; in fact, she buried her face in my neck and went completely limp - asleep! Mitzi was MY first dog. She had an interesting journey from my house, to my parents, to my grandpa, and back to me. Smart, funny and incredibly loyal. The first pup I had to decide to say goodbye to.
About six years ago, we decided to foster. It was a whim on my part and a regretful "Okay" on Frank's, but it has become a satisfying thing we do together. Fostering and then completing an adoption to someone who has been looking for that absolutely perfect dog, well, it is such an amazing feeling! We've had six puppies (one fail) and one senior, also a fail!
Why dogs? Puppy breath, gangly legs, smiley faces and love. It is a true relationship, built on silent devotion and unbelievable loyalty. A dog can bring such joy, and be a healer in times of sorrow. I refer to Leo as my cardiologist, because he came along when I had lost a job, and curiously, laid on my chest day in and day out. The more he treated, the better I felt. Dogs are easy. Food, water, shelter and love seem to be all they need to obey and protect their person. Honestly, I'm not sure I can completely explain or understand the deep admiration I have for dogs. Maybe it is because they have an endless supply of hope for the human race. Regardless of what they have suffered, they give the next human a chance. Endings are hard, and I'll tell you that you have to be there with your dog. The last thing they should feel is your love, shining through your tears and wrapped in your arms. I pray them a safe journey across the rainbow bridge; that the rest of our pack meets them and they all take off across a sunny meadow, a vision that helps me say good-bye.
P.S.
I won't ask you to get a dog, but if you want to do something, donate to your local shelter - time, supplies, or money. We are pleased to work with a very well-run rescue, Pawsitive Tails in Olathe. The ASPCA commercials can make you weepy and show the worst of humanity, but your donation goes to commercials, gift blankets, salaries, and bonuses (to a very well-paid CEO). This is Ranger (now Murphy) who was our most recent guest.
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