Here is a picture of my boy.
Posted on 12/14/2001 9:13:53 PM PST by mafree
Will Your Dog Vouch For You?
A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town, which he planned to visit on his vacation. He wrote, "I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me at night?"
An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who said, "I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel, and if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too!"
Authors Unknown
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Greyfriars Bobby (http://greyfriarsbobby.co.uk)
In 1858, a man named John Gray was buried in old Greyfriars Churchyard. His grave levelled by the hand of time, and unmarked by any stone, became scarcely discernible; but, although no human interest seemed to attach to it. The sacred spot was not wholly disregarded and forgotten. For fourteen years the dead man's faithful dog kept constant watch and guard over the grave until his own death in 1872. James Brown, the old curator of the burial ground, remembers Gray's funeral, and the dog, a Skye terrier called "Bobby", was, he says, one of the most conspicuous of the mourners. The grave was closed in as usual, and next morning "Bobby", was found, lying on the newly-made mound.
This was an innovation which old James could not permit, for there was an order at the gate stating in the most intelligible characters that dogs were not admitted. "Bobby" was accordingly driven out; but next morning he was there again, and for the second time was discharged. The third morning was cold and wet, and when the old man saw the faithful animal, in spite of all chastisement, still lying shivering on the grave, he took pity on him, and gave him some food. This recognition of his devotion gave "Bobby" the right to make the churchyard his home; and from that time until his own death he never spent a night away from his master's tomb.
Often in bad weather attempts were made to keep him within doors, but by dismal howls he succeeded in making it known that this interference was not agreeable to him, and he was always allowed to have his way. At almost any time during the day he could be seen in or about the churchyard, and no matter how rough the night, nothing could induce him to forsake that hallowed spot, whose identity he so faithfully preserved.
That, however, concludes the story of the life of Greyfriars' Bobby, a life which was later commemorated by the erection of the statue and fountain by Baroness Burdett Coutts. The figure which was unveiled, without any ceremony, on November 15, 1873.
He has ... abundantly! She's an enormous blessing in a little, bitty package.
I asked Him for a small, young, female dog that didn't shed. PLUS, I needed her to be free. I called that request to the various vets, shelters and adoption agencies in the area. Two days later, a lady called me from Animal Adoption Referral Service and said she had found this little 7-month-old poodle running the mean streets of Galveston.
She was a mess. Matted. Skinny. Ear infections. That day we rescued each other.
She's exceeding abundantly above all I could have asked God for.
I have a "Carolina dog" that is like your heeler. About this time last fall, I had just turned off my computer and was going to bed. The dogs had been out not too long before, so I was surprised when Kali wouldn't come to bed. She just kept sitting and looking at the door. I told her to come on to bed, but she just gave me a funny look and went back to staring at the door. I figured she must REALLY need out, so I opened the door, and not 3 feet from my face was a man trying to look in the window! I asked him what the hell he thought he was doing and he said "whatever I feel like". So I opened the screen, and only then did Kali make any sound. As I went for the phone, all I could hear was "Get your f%$^&ing dog off me!" LOL, great dog!
Thank you, mafree! That means a lot to me. My sweet babies are my heart! All of them!!
Our friend owns an Australian who whines and curls up on her back for petting whenever I arrive. Her Rhodesian ridgebacks are also lovable and intimidating to strangers. I got tired of the male, Dude, jumping at me, so I swatted his nose. He did it again, so I swatted him again. Then he growled. OK, no more swatting. Instead I stroke his face on each side and he looks transported with ecstacy.
I favor the nose swat for jumping dogs, but a border collie/lab mix fixed me. I swatted her nose once. The second time she jumped on me she anticipated the swat and dodged several attempts to discipline her. Then she ran to the basement steps (when I was headed, laughing at her high IQ) and looked at me pleadingly, as if to ask, "Do you still love me?" I did not see her for years and we were still great friends.
We have a Sheltie. Every day on our walk a new person will say, "What a beautiful dog!" Ours is a mahogany tricolor, so she looks just like Lassie, but smaller.
My wife says that when I leave the house for a few hours, Precious will look up and whine for me. Right now she is sleeping on a corner of the bed, her nose pointed toward me. (I mean my dog, of course.)
The funny thing about Precious is that my wife and I were determined to keep the dog outside. Then the weather got hot and Precious would bark to come inside and escape the Phoenix heat. Her bark at the bedroom door to the outside sounded like her last plea before dying. Then my wife decided it was unfair for Precious to be out in the rain. Precious was inside more and more but not on the bed. Then she wanted up on the bed. Soon Precious was sleeping on the bed. Precious wormed her way into our life so adroitly that we laugh about it. One puppy outsmarted and outmaneuvered two adults who never had a pet before.
Our friend Brenda adopted a miniature poodle that was abused to the point of death. Duncan does not like bars or men for that reason. Duncan did not trust me for a long time, then suddenly adopted me. Brenda has a degenerative bone condition and uses a powered wheelchair. Duncan rides and walks with her. They love each other. I was eating a Dairy Queen when I was talking to them outside one day. Duncan got a weird look on his face. I asked what was going on. Brenda said, "He thinks the cone is for him! He loves Dairy Queen!" I put the cone on the ground and let Duncan enjoy it. Now I buy for everyone when I am with Brenda.
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend come in, too?" the traveler asked, gesturing toward his dog.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going. After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there" The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump."
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.
"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is Heaven," was the answer.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."
I remember one of our dogs eagerly lapping up some melted ice cream that one of my brothers left on the table. Some dogs will eat anything- LOL.
Actually (for all who don't know already), the preferred method of training for dogs who jump on people is the knee. When they jump up on you, hold your knee up, so that their chest comes into contact with your raised knee. Don't raise it forcefully, or put any energy behind it; just raise it and let the dog's own energy produced by jumping be the only "force" involved.
This is the kindest way to teach them not to jump up on you, or anyone else. Swatting on the face is not recommended. It teaches them to fear you. If you discipline them by swatting them on the face (nose included), they will generally begin to cower when you raise your hand to pat them on the head. Worst case scenario -- they may begin to growl, or even bite, when someone raises their hand to them. I don't think anyone wants that.
Since dogs really cannot digest dairy, I highly recommend Frosty Paws. They are non-dairy doggie ice cream cups that can be found in the ice cream section of most supermarkets. Or you can make your own!
HOMEMADE FROSTY PAWS
32 oz. vanilla yogurt
1 mashed banana or one large jar of baby fruit
2 Tblsp. peanut butter
2 Tblsp. honey
Blend all together and freeze in either 3 oz. paper cups or ice cube trays. Microwave just a few seconds before serving.
I also make this with baby meat instead of the fruit and peanut butter and the dogs REALLY like this version , although I'm not so sure I want to taste it.
FROSTY PAWS - version 2
(contributed by R Geyer)
1 ripe banana
4 oz fat free yogurt--vanilla or banana
2 oz water
put all ingredients in blender and puree...pour into ice cube trays or cut down dixie cups...freeze
These and other doggie recipes can be found here, on the Daily Drool website.
My Piper and Wilson just adore the Frosty Paws. I haven't tried the other recipes for them, as I am disabled and cannot even bake for myself right now, but hopefully that will change after my next brain surgery, in March. (Cross your fingers and/or say a little prayer for me?? Thank you!!)
God Jul,
Sharon
Got two of 'em layin' at my feet. The older one was a four-time reject (once when he was turned in and three times adopted and summarily rejected). Loyal to a fault. loving, protective of the homestead and they way they follow me, you'd think I'd hung the moon.
Rescued pooches are the BEST! Wish I could have a few more.
Precious knows when she is in trouble. She comes up with her front paw raised, ready to escape. She requires two absolutions before she will approach. "Good dog" and "That's OK." Then she rewards me with kisses and gentle chewing.
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