Posted on 12/13/2001 12:07:14 PM PST by Flyer
I want a puppy for Christmas!
Okay, I don't really want a puppy for Christmas. Yes, I do want a puppy, but not quite yet. My last three dogs have come into my life as adults. I haven't had the joy (and aggravation) of raising a puppy since 1986.
I had four dogs until just a couple of years ago.I had to put one to sleep due to trauma injuries, and another that was old with failing health. A third I put to sleep just about six weeks ago. She had severe spondylosis, but lived 3 - 4 years longer than the vets had expected. I cherished every extra day we had together.
I have mentioned here before that I used to work with dogs (and cats), up until a year ago. I worked at an animal shelter for 3 years, a veterinarian for 6 years and 2 years at a first class boarding kennel. During those eleven years I touched the lives of about 10,000 different dogs. That's not an exaggeration. I crossed paths with about 100,000 dogs, but I'm just counting ones I, in some way, have touched their lives. (yes, much of this was from the work at the shelter. We took in 35 - 40,000 animals a year) Of the ten thousand there were probably 500 that I knew very well from seeing them over and over at the vet and the boarding kennel. I loved them as my own dogs and they loved me as their own 'person'.
My new puppy will be a Golden Retriever named Re-Boot, in hopes of filling the shoes (paws?) of the Golden I recently lost. My remaining dog is a Golden and yes, they are my favorite breed. There any many other breeds I like, though. Border Collies are very smart and I will probably have one some day. Corgi's have taken a piece of my heart, too. I will probably never own a Standard Poodle but they are very fun dogs once you get to know them. Over the years it was quite an experience spotting the common traits in the different breeds.
I want a puppy for Christmas. So why don't I get one?? Raising a puppy properly requires time and money. The time I have now. The money - I don't. So I will wait. My puppy will be there when I am ready. (and please reconsider if you are thinking of giving a pet as a Christmas gift - but that's a chapter in itself)
So why am I posting this frivolous little story? Because I hope to get the attention of all of you that read these animal threads and ask a favor of you. Lately Tabitha Soren has been a pest on these innocent, "G" rated animal threads. I want to ask you to join me and just ignore her and not give her the dignity of a reply. I know, she gets us all PO'ed, but if we just ignore her she will lose the satisfaction of the attention she gets, and she won't have replies to reply to.
BTW. . . post your pet stories here and we won't let this warm and fuzzy thread get hijacked!
Merry Christmas,
Flyer and Gilligan
"Will I see my dog when I go to Heaven?"
"Of course, otherwise it wouldn't be Heaven."
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:16
Mine only smelled when it rolled around in stink weed.
The spray that you get at the pet store to just spray on and towell off works.
Now let that doggie inside!
Warning, Will Robinson, Warning.
Okay, from experience: Bordor Collies are incrediably fun dogs. However, when they say they are "high energy" --- believe it! These dogs require a lot of attention and exercise. And, they require training. If you do not keep them busy, they will find something to do; and, being as smart as they are, you may not like what they come up with.
If, however, you have time to devote to this dog and wish to put more time into training (fly-ball, agility), then they are really a fun dog.
Oh and you should always have two dogs,that way one is a "back up" dog.
Senator Vest's Tribute to the dog.
It is strange how tenaciously popular memory clings to the bits of eloquence men have uttered, long after their deeds and most of their recorded thoughts are forgotten, or but indifferently remembered.
Wherever and as long as the name of the late Senator Vest of Missouri is mentioned, it will always be associated with the beautiful tribute he once uttered in praise of man's most faithful companion.
Many years ago Senator Vest represented in a law-suit a plainiff whose dog had been wantonly shot by a neighbor.
Damages of $200 were asked, but after two minutes' deliberation the jury awarded the plaintff $500, as the result of the following words by his attorney:
"Gentlemen of the jury: The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy.
His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful.
Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith.
The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him perhaps when he needs it the most.
A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action.
The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malace when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.
"Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness.
He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side.
He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world.
He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.
When all other friends desert he remains.
When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful Dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his grave-side will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad,but open in alert watchfulness, faithful And true even to death.
Boy,mine sure does!
Hah, thanks. The reason I have a Border Collie on my list is because of the time I have spent with them. I practically raised one because he boarded so often, and got very little training at home. (Love ya, Max!)I loved spending time with that dog, but yes, I will wait until I have the time to dedicate to proper traing and exercise.
That's where I got my first Golden. And a good size dog is very comforting to have on a walk. Mine is a perfect gentleman - but I know he would give his life to protect me.
When I get up my Gilligan moves to my spot on the bed and goes into a very sound sleep. I truly believe he stays alert, if not 'awake', at night to watch over me.
Borders are the best dogs! I have a Border Collie/Black Lab named Coco.Which is a combination of the world's two best breeds! He looks and acts like a small Border but with Lab eyes. He seriously has the intelligence of a toddler. He has all of the Border Collie facial expressions. You can almost see how he thinks. For instance, whenever I come home from college, Coco looks at me and then realizes he hasn't seen me in a long time and then goes crazy. He knows how to break out of his pet gate, and break into the pantry where we keep dog treats. He also hides whenever dad goes to the cabinet where we keep the pet meds. He has us tied around his paw. It's not unusual for him to bark at 2:30 am because he's lonely and wants attention.
While he's incredibly intelligent, poor Coco failed obedience school. He's too hyper to learn any commands beyond sit and occasionally stay. He needs constant attention. My mom recently started working full time, and he goes through seperation anxiety whenever we come home. He's such a great dog. Borders are wonderful dogs to get, especially for families. However, keep in mind that it's like having a permanent 3 year-old in the house.
We also have an autistic Lhasa Apso. He's so mean that he has "happy growls." My whole family has war wounds from dealing with him. He hates us, but loves strangers. Whenever guests come over, he gets excited and friendly as if he wants them to take him away.
Sorry to ramble so much about my boys. I miss them so much when I'm away at school. The worst thing about living in a dorm is not having a dog around.
I'll see your wag and raise you 2 wags.
ROTFLMAO!
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