I've never had much first hand experience with having a dog in the house. Didn't have one growing up and when the kids were growing up, we got a cat, not a dog.
But about a year ago, my good girl saw the picture of a cute dog at a rescue shelter and decided to give her a home. She had been abandoned and was found in the streets and taken to a shelter. Well, the dog has been here since Christmas. When my good girl took a trip back home for 16 days, she left the dog here.
I was a bit apprehensive when she said the dog wa a pit mix, but she doesn't fit the pit bull stereotype. She's very friendly and loves to roll on her back and get belly rubs. I've been introduced to dog parks and to people who have dogs. One of them even had a birthday party for her two dogs at the park. She even had cupcakes with a milk bone on top. I was given one and my good girl's dog virtually inhaled it.
She quickly figured a way to get more. She went to the table where the cupcakes were and some of the people had them in their hands so she went up to them, sat quietly and looked up at them with a sad face and got a couple of people to feed her more. That's her. When we're in the kitchen she's right there hoping we give her something and drop something on the floor. We try not to feed her people food because we want her to keep eating doggy food but sometimes we relent. She whines at times when she wants somebody to play with her but when she is looking for our food, she just sits there and looks up at us with those sad eyes. She nows how to play us.
She's also like an alarm clock. She sleeps in a doggy bed in the bedroom and at about 730 she gets up and comes to the side of our bed and is just tall enough to put her head on the bed but never jumps on it. And she loves to swim at the doggy park.
I can now see how people get attached to dogs think they are members of the family. Right now, she is curled up on the couch next to me as I type. She often puts her head between my legs right in front of the computer. I have to admit that when she goes home with my good girl later this week, it will seem kind of strange when I return and she's not here.
If any of the bloggers have dogs, I think they will understand.
FD
Flashing Again
13 hours ago
Hi FD, lovely post. Glad you are enjoying having her around :) They certainly find their way into your heart don't they? My ex and I used to have 3 Siberian Huskies years ago which we raced.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
We rescued a dog here around the same time! Rather than finding a picture though, we hunted through shelters until we found one that just looked at us like we were the perfect home. We found a mix, which we think is part pit, and he's the snuggliest most sweet and dopey dog ever. I feel so badly for him sometimes though, because he definitely showed signs of being abused when we had first gotten him, but most of those have calmed down as he's learned to trust us.
ReplyDeleteAll dogs are good when they're born. Some have more difficult personalities, and some have aggression trained into them in one way or another, but really, they all just want to feel loved.
That's what happens, they're like children, they break into your heart and tug at it forever.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had a dog in a long time. But I still think it's part of Mollie's plans.
ReplyDeletelovely post - and as a dog lover (and rescuer)- so happy she found a good home. Just want to ask, though, please don't feed in to the pit bull stereotypes - first and foremost, 99% of dogs identified as "pit bull" are NOT - merely mutts with blocky heads and shot hair (often boxer, bulldog, even lab mixes)- so right there and then calling a dog a pit bull and the sensationalism that accompanies that is absolutely incorrect. Second, a dog is the product of its environment - but not even that- as dogs are forgiving and despite being abused, beaten, starved, usually find it in themselves to trust again. Pit bulls are just another dog. All the crap you hear (aggressive, locking jaws,etc) has been scientifically proven to be just that - they have been demonized and turned into objects of hatred. Reputable vets (including American Veterinary organization) have called out those myths time and again. I have had many dogs - and rehabbed and found homes for - many more -including ones labelled 'pitties' and never had an issue. Thanks to your lovely lady for rescuing your baby! Due to their unearned reputation, pits and their mixes are euthanized at a rate 90% higher than other breeds.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing. I have learned I had the wrong stereotype, especially when she jumps on the couch and starts liking my face. And by the way, is this the same Selkie who used to blog. If so, good to say hello again. I clicked on your name and you're not blogging. If that's you, hope all is well.
DeleteAnd Leigh is so right. Dogs break into your heart and tug at it.
FD
it is! I've not blogged for a very long time (lots of reasons) but may start up at some point again! xoxoxo
DeleteHi Selkie: It was great to hear from you again. Hope all is well with yuu and hope you decided to start blogging again.
DeleteFD
Thanks for a great rread
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