Puppy Love

All animals are amazing, but my top favorite has to be canines. Dog's love you like no other animal on earth. They make you laugh, lower your heart rate, reduce stress, keep you active and give you the most unconditional love you will ever find. If you pay close attention there is much to learn from a canine companion.

We've been lucky enough to share our life and home with three dogs over the last 20 years. The first was Snack. Her "gotcha" anniversary is coming up next week. We got her from our local animal shelter. We were told she was dropped off in the night box, though who would ever let such a precious soul go like that is still beyond me. We figured she was about two years old when we got her and was a cross between a yellow lab and a basset hound. A more perfect dog there never was. She had endless patience for our son, was always hungry for a treat (or five) and gave us so much joy. She was with us for about 10 years.

Our second dog was an impulse rescue on my part. I really wanted a puppy bad (I blame hormones) so I went and adopted one without letting my husband know. Snack was wonderful with Sweetie. I think she might have had her own puppies at one time because her maternal instincts kicked in immediately.

I adopted Sweetie from the same shelter we got Snack from, but she was only three months old at the time. We now think she's part Whippet and part Rat Terrier, but I was told at the time that she was a Chihuahua mix. She's always had a tiny bit of a stinky temper, but she also lives up to her name.

Our third dog came along soon after we lost Snack. Lulu the 100% pure Basset Hound had been dumped in a friend's backyard by her son's roommates. Apparently he had moved to Mexico without his dog, so his roommates drove her all the way from San Diego to Davis just to leave her alone in the backyard. She HATED to be in a car the whole time we had her. Understandable given what happened to her. My husband saw Lulu's picture on Facebook with a desperate plea from our friend. We met her that afternoon and took her back home with us that night. It was a no-brainer. My husband LOVES Basset Hounds and Lulu needed a family right away. We were her 5th and last family.

Sweetie got along with Lulu just as well as she did Snack. They would play together and walk well together. Well, as good as a Basset can walk considering they are all part stubborn donkey. We had Lulu for about eight years before she passed. She was a ton of fun, but also enough work to make me swear off pure bred dogs for eternity.

Now Sweetie is 13 years old and into her twilight years. She has moderate dementia, but still loves going for walks. She also eats well and has never had an accident in the house. We love her to bits, even if she takes up our whole bed.

I find myself really missing that total companionship and dedication you get from a dog though. Sweetie is much more like a cat behaviorally now than like a dog. She likes attention on her terms when she feels like it. Her favorite pastime is just to stand and stare at nothing. -sigh- Not that big happy grin you get from most dogs.

My heart says I want another dog NOW but my brain says it's a bad time. We'll see who wins the battle.