about
Twice in the past couple of months I have heard it said that dogs do not love. That they are animals and animals have no sense of such things.As a child, my sister and I were unwanted by family and shunned by neighbors because our Mother was not only divorced but worked as a
bartender. We were to quote the neighbor lady 2 doors down, “White trash”. At the time I was seven and my sister 4. We didn’t know what
white trash was but got the idea quickly enough that it was not a good thing to be. Most especially when you are not allowed to play in the neighbor’s yard with the other children.
Our mother worked a split trick. Which meant she was gone day and night. We had family in the neighborhood but none of them wanted two extra kids to look after. So at 7 and 4, we were left to look after ourselves. My father had disappeared to parts unknown. Occasionally he wrote. Mostly he didn’t.
Yet, we were not alone. We had the most amazing dog. Every day when I
got out of school she’d be there in the school yard waiting to walk me home.
Every night when we tucked ourselves into bed, she’d climb in with me and
cuddle. At the slightest sound she would raise her head alert for any
danger. And the one night when danger did come by way of a peeping Tom,
she made it clear enough that she would protect us with her life. Hackles
raised, teeth bared, she ran toward the window where the man’s face peered
in at us. Apparently he wanted no part of her because he quickly left.
Later we found out the peeping Tom had broken into a house down the street. I don’t know
what occurred after the break in because this was something discussed by my
Mother in whispers over the phone.
After a couple of years my Mother was forced to sell our home. We would
have to move in with my grandmother who just happened to have an aversion to
dogs in her home. A lady came to take Tippy away. She tied a rope
around her neck and began to pull her out the gate. My sister and I stood
sobbing for all we were worth as that big black dog, the only love we had
ever known, pulled against that rope for all she was worth trying to get back
to us. Her cries were hauntingly sorrowful and I carry them with me still.
She was my playmate when no one else was allowed to play with me. She was
my parent. My protector. My friend. And years later I learned that
she grieved herself to death weeks after she’d been taken from us.
Never question a dogs love. They love unconditionally. And sadly, sometimes
better than humans.
I know this has been a long story but please continue to read.
Tia was beaten in the head with a baseball bat. The blows devastated her face, blinded her in one eye and destroyed her teeth. She was left at the farm house to die along with her unborn puppies. Somehow she lived, gave birth to the puppies and kept them alive until a neighbor told HUA about her. HUA went immediately to rescue this amazing girl. She watched as each of her puppies was carefully loaded into the shelter van. Then she was gently lifted inside. Although she had every reason to fear people, she was trusting and grateful for the kindness.In the state of Ohio animal abuse is still a misdemeanor.
If you have a dog, go give him a hug. And never, NEVER take for granted that wagging tail. These creatures have so much to teach us. The question is not "Do they love?" But are we so pompous that we might think otherwise.
Chuck, thank you.
Ceri, they're all puppies to me too. Nice to meet you!
Tumble, yes, it's all true and it got much worse. But it made me strong so please don't feel bad. Tia was not my dog but one of many who is written about every day in the news. There are millions of stories like this one and many much worse. Animal cruelty is abundant and good people need to be aware of it and speak out.
Denny, LOL! You know how I hate being called "soft". ahhhhhhhhhhhh ha ha ha ha ha ha.
I'm sitting here bawling away! That poor dog being took away from you girls. Not only was he everything to you - you were everything to him.
OF COURSE DOGS LOVE - there is no love or devotion like that of a pet.
And the picture of Tia - that makes me so angry. HOW in the name of heaven - could anyone do that to a dog????? A PREGNANT DOG???!!! The bastard should be hung by his ankles and the baseball bat taken to him.
tina
ps - my hubby and I have our first dog since we married 24 years ago. (We had a cat for 18 - it took me this long to want another pet.) We have learned how quickly they steal your hearts!
At 2/28/2006 8:10 AM, 
Stacy The Peanut Queen
I popped over from MilkMaids blog and read this and it made me cry. I am DOG CRAZY. I've got one Pit Bull who's like my kid and two others that I love with all my heart.
I've got a little saying that I think describes it pretty well too...it's by an unknown but still, I love it.
"He is your friend, your partner, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true,
to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
At 2/28/2006 10:32 AM, SignGurl
Wow! I'm sobbing here. What a story. You are right, what you endured as a child is what helps make you, you. I am sad for those two little girls but not sad for the awesome adult you ended up becoming.
Your mother did what she had to do and so did you and your sister. I'm sure as a child it was hard to see that but I'm guessing that now as a mother it all becomes clear.
Thanks for sharing this.
Tina, you are so right. Unconditional devotion. It's darn near impossible to find that in a human. But you can leave a dog in it's crate all day while you're out playing. And she'll still greet you like, "yeah, it'all good!"
Stacy, that really does sum it all up. My mother made the newspapers many years ago for saving a pit bull. She was the only one brave enough to approach the beaten animal. (she was 5'2 and weighed maybe 110 wet) She wrapped him up in a blanket took him to the vet and then called the news crews on the neighbor who had beaten him so badly. She had her picture in the paper and everything. We had all kinds of strangers calling our house to talk to her. It was weird but fun.
Denny, old doesn't bother me baby.
Roxi, yo cuero Taco Bell. ahhhhhhhhhhhh ha ha ha ha ha!
Sign gurl, actually Mom messed up a lot but she was a twenty something year old girl with two kids to support. We all make mistakes. Especially at that age. My feeling is, ya gotta live in today. Learn what ever lessons come round and then move on. And look how nice I turned out. ahhhhhhhhhhhh ha ha ha ha ha!
PS. damn! look at all this. I've become a rambler.
At 2/28/2006 11:46 AM, FLAMINGO1
I know not whether my dogs love me...but I know I love them and that is all that matters.
One pure-bred miniature schnauzer named Bart.
One pure-mutt from the shelter named Gary.
They seem to like me more than my wife does. They are always happy to see me when I come home - and I can't say the same thing for her.
DOC! I'm happy to see you!
Flamingo, ever notice how when your sick, the dog stays right with you but the spouse is generally saying things like, "Don't breathe on me." LOL!
Waygon, I didn't print the worst abuse story. I contribute to several different organizations that are doing the best they can to mend and rehabilitate abused animals. So I get mails on the latest abuse stories and it can get to you.
Sorry I'm not visiting everybody right now at your blogs. I am going to try though. We have family member on life support and some other things going on so it's kind of crazy around here right now.
PS. Milky, we may be flying out to Houston for the funeral if he doesn't make it. You'll know because you'll feel a definite disturbance in the force when I step off the plane.
Dogs are so loyal and they would do anything just to please. I have always loved animals. I have had a couple of experiences with dogs that were interesting. I met a strange dog outside. We started to play and had a wonderful time. I would run and he would run after me and knock me down. We just hung out together. There was a little stick play. But then something truely amazing happened. Some kids were passing by and picked up some rocks. That dog made it know that they were not welcome and they dropped the rocks and left. Was it defending itself or me?
The other thing I went over someones house to continue a party. When I got there I discovered they had a dog. No matter what I did the dog would not allow me to get near it. For some reason that hurt my feelings more than any person ever has. Generally I think dogs are fairly good judge of character and I had not had a dog reject me like that before. Some how I have come to expect the worse from people.
What a sad story about growing up. I am so sorry the three of you had to be seperated but so glad you could be there for each other before that.
I have to stop reading blogs for the night. This has all been so sad the last couple of blogs I read. I need happy thoughts before heading off to bed. {{{jugs}}} to you Crabby.
P.S. I ment to type {{{hugs}}} but when I saw the typo I thought maybe I should just leave it in for laughs. Also sorry this has gotten a little weird as I am now more than a little tired and I go down hilll fast when that happens.
At 3/01/2006 3:22 AM, ing
Have I got a book recommendation for you, Crabcakes!!
I have or had a dog, a golden lab/shepherd mix. She's not in any way courageous, except when it comes to cats and raccoons and skunks. My boyfriend and I split up, and I can't have a dog here, in my San Fran place. I miss her, though, and sometimes I visit. When she hears my car, she comes running up the hill. I open the side door, and she jumps in and licks me to death. The ex brings her to San Fran occasionally. It's truly heartbreaking to see her. She's a good, good dog and she never forgets me and she whines when I leave. I have to turn the stereo up so I can't hear this, because --
Oh, it's awful!
At 3/01/2006 9:57 AM, josh williams
CC: I had many a dog when I was a kid, tons of stories but you did it all in one post.
I was listing to the BBC last week and they had a guy on who claimed he could pick out a dogs accent from his bark. In other words he knew which part of the isle the dog came from by the sound of its bark. They tested him and he did not miss one, even guessed on a dog from Scotland. I hope that the BBC was just not pulling my leg ( I did not hear the whole broadcast) I like the idea of a dog barking with an accent picked up from his family accent. Dogs are good people.
How does the old Twain quote go...You can feed a starving dog and he will never bite you, this is the principle differance between men and dogs. Sumthin' like that...Kind Regards JW
First off I would like to thank Chuck "can do" Dawson for his attemp to mentor me in the fine are of brief commenting. According to Chuck and I quote, "you're comments go on way too long. Nobody wants to read all that. Less is more." ahhhhhhhhhhhhh ha h asha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Okee dokee. (personally, I think Chuck may have his work cut out for him, as you can see)
Lori, thanks for coming over! I agree. Maybe we should both get bats.
Tumble, me too! I'm real active in Paws. they're a good organization and all the people involved donate their time and homes to help rehabilitate abused critters. Very nice folks. Funny stuff coming back soon. Pinky swear.
Lady KY, Nice to see ya! My dogs a leaner too. In fact, she's velcro dog. Take care of those ribs!
Ceri, I'll be over to visit soon. (pssst. I'm getting my car today! Red red red. Everywhere. I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself)
Cappy, you have sea dog! Cool! When you stop at ports for your women does he get to hook up too?
Roxi, do you have pics up at your place? I wanna see your puppy.
Wally, really? I finally broke you down? LOL! Know why? Cause you have a good heart.
Spinning Girl, I still have money left on my Barnes and Noble gift cards that I got for Christmas so I'm gonna get this book and the one Ing is recommending. Another really good book is, "Marly. Life and love with the worlds worst dog."
Chuck, some of those comments were only like 1 or 3 words long. Don't ya need more words?
Barman, I have the world's most cowardly dog. A big ole Golden Retriever who wants no part of any altercation. But the other night I took her out and gasped when a neighbor startled me. (it's pitch black out here at night) Darned if that old girl didn't put herself between me and him, growling like cujo. I was shocked! So was he. LOL!
Aw, Ing. That breaks my heart for you. Your dog sounds so much like mine. I can't imagine how hard it must be to have to say goodbye each time. I'm making you godmother to Lucy. (you may not consider this a good thing when you find out she has eaten 2 dog beds and a blanket.) I'm gonna get both books that were recommended here. I get Barnes and Noble gift certificates every year for Christmas because I read so much so I'm in the bucks. LOL!
Josh, the idea of dogs barking with an accent is just too cool! I love the Mark Twain quote.
Phoenix, there were two worse stories that I couldn't bring myself to post. It would have been horribly upsetting to many good people to see such brutality. And you are dead-on. Many animal abusers do go on to to abuse people. Primarily women. The statistics are through the roof.
At 3/02/2006 3:34 PM, Jon
Check your shoes before you leave.
Don't ever write shit like this again! I totally teared up. I have 2 girls and cannot imagine EVER leaving them alone for even one minute. If this is true, I am so sorry for you. I am glad you turned out to be the great person you are now. Who is Tia? Was she your dog? I guess I missed that.
I have a mini schnauzer that has been my third child for 5 years and she loves me with every bone in her body. I would never take her away from my kids no matter what the situation!