Monday, November 26, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
Ode to a sweet dog!
My Shammy is gone to doggy heaven.
I know, I'm supposed to feel better that he's not suffering, but damn it, I wasn't ready to say goodbye. Let me tell you a bit about this wonderful dog. We rescued him from the Animal Shelter in April 1997. He was a full grown (at least 2 yrs old...we think he was more like 4 or 5) dog who was scared of everything. He had been found on the highway, and when they put him with the other dogs, he leaped an 8 ft. fence and ran away. They found him miles from the shelter and brought him back.
When they neutered him, they found lots of signs of abuse. He had a healed tongue that had been split in 2 at the end. His tail had been broken more than once. His ear had been 'chewed' on.... Let me tell ya, I felt so bad for this special little dog. His big brown eyes seemed to look right into your soul. The shelter was overflowing with animals, but this one spoke to my heart. Monica and I fell in love when we saw him. Of course, it was Monica's dog, right? Sure, Sure.... All the animals we have belong to her, but I somehow end up caring for them and 'mothering' them. Monica loves them deeply, but her 'mothering' gene hasn't flicked on yet. I'm talking about a teenager here, so that makes complete sense to me. They're just all about them at that point. My mom lived with us at the time and she wasn't too impressed that we were bringing home another animal. We already had Zelda and Zory (cats). The shelter didn't know how Shammy would be with cats, but we took him anyway. How could you not? We were so afraid that he'd run away for the 1st year, that he was always on a leash whenever he went outside. I used to take him for walks around the neighbourhood, but he freaked whenever we met another dog. I honestly think that he was abused by other dogs, not necessarily humans, but he couldn't tell us what his life had been like before we rescued him.
We eventually started going to a park (Beech Hill) for our walks, since we were less likely to run into other animals. If we saw another dog on a leash, we'd just go another way. Problem solved. On the way to the park, we'd stop at the Tim Hortons drive thru. I'd get a coffee and Shammy would get a little donut. He'd get soooooo excited whenever I'd turn down that street. He could smell the donuts, I think, lol. The park is about 5 miles from my house, and he'd be sitting in the car, looking rather bored. BUT, as soon as we got close to the park, he'd perk right up. He'd get his nose out the window and sniff like crazy. I'd park, grab my coffee and Shammy's leash and we'd be off. He had to sniff every tree, every flower, every parkbench, everything his little nose could find. Since I'm no marathon walker, to say the least, it worked out great for me. We'd just take our time, and enjoy the walk. I would even stop for a smoke on the way, lol. How's that for healthy? The park is in the wilderness, with hills and valleys and a beautiful view of the surrounding area. It's so peaceful. I would do lots of heavy thinking on our walks, because I didn't have much 'me' time in those days. Once in awhile a friend of mine would join us. She'd bring her dog (Shammy liked her, lol) and we'd walk together. I guess Shammy and I bonded solidly on those walks, but I didn't think about it at the time. He was my friend and my companion and I loved him so much. In those days, I used to come home at lunch time. My mom swore that Shammy could tell time. About 5 minutes before I would arrive, he'd start whining and pacing. Mom would ask him if Filis was on her way, and he'd jump and get so excited! What a nice welcome home that was, every day. Shammy always slept in my room. We had our ritual at bedtime too. I'd go pee, he'd go pee....you know, the usual, lol. What a sweetheart he was.
I don't want to talk about him being sick. I want to remember him when he was well. How he loved the beach! He was the greatest little trooper. AND he never ran away, EVER!!! He accepted all the animals that we foisted on him over the years, but always let them know that HE was in charge. We have a cat named Prozach, that thinks he's a dog. I'm pretty sure Shammy convinced him of that fact. It wouldn't do for a dog to love a cat, and Shammy loved Prozach.... They'd curl up together for their naps sometimes, and it was so cute. He taught Prozach to sit for treats, and to wag his tail.
When they neutered him, they found lots of signs of abuse. He had a healed tongue that had been split in 2 at the end. His tail had been broken more than once. His ear had been 'chewed' on.... Let me tell ya, I felt so bad for this special little dog. His big brown eyes seemed to look right into your soul. The shelter was overflowing with animals, but this one spoke to my heart. Monica and I fell in love when we saw him. Of course, it was Monica's dog, right? Sure, Sure.... All the animals we have belong to her, but I somehow end up caring for them and 'mothering' them. Monica loves them deeply, but her 'mothering' gene hasn't flicked on yet. I'm talking about a teenager here, so that makes complete sense to me. They're just all about them at that point. My mom lived with us at the time and she wasn't too impressed that we were bringing home another animal. We already had Zelda and Zory (cats). The shelter didn't know how Shammy would be with cats, but we took him anyway. How could you not? We were so afraid that he'd run away for the 1st year, that he was always on a leash whenever he went outside. I used to take him for walks around the neighbourhood, but he freaked whenever we met another dog. I honestly think that he was abused by other dogs, not necessarily humans, but he couldn't tell us what his life had been like before we rescued him.
We eventually started going to a park (Beech Hill) for our walks, since we were less likely to run into other animals. If we saw another dog on a leash, we'd just go another way. Problem solved. On the way to the park, we'd stop at the Tim Hortons drive thru. I'd get a coffee and Shammy would get a little donut. He'd get soooooo excited whenever I'd turn down that street. He could smell the donuts, I think, lol. The park is about 5 miles from my house, and he'd be sitting in the car, looking rather bored. BUT, as soon as we got close to the park, he'd perk right up. He'd get his nose out the window and sniff like crazy. I'd park, grab my coffee and Shammy's leash and we'd be off. He had to sniff every tree, every flower, every parkbench, everything his little nose could find. Since I'm no marathon walker, to say the least, it worked out great for me. We'd just take our time, and enjoy the walk. I would even stop for a smoke on the way, lol. How's that for healthy? The park is in the wilderness, with hills and valleys and a beautiful view of the surrounding area. It's so peaceful. I would do lots of heavy thinking on our walks, because I didn't have much 'me' time in those days. Once in awhile a friend of mine would join us. She'd bring her dog (Shammy liked her, lol) and we'd walk together. I guess Shammy and I bonded solidly on those walks, but I didn't think about it at the time. He was my friend and my companion and I loved him so much. In those days, I used to come home at lunch time. My mom swore that Shammy could tell time. About 5 minutes before I would arrive, he'd start whining and pacing. Mom would ask him if Filis was on her way, and he'd jump and get so excited! What a nice welcome home that was, every day. Shammy always slept in my room. We had our ritual at bedtime too. I'd go pee, he'd go pee....you know, the usual, lol. What a sweetheart he was.
I don't want to talk about him being sick. I want to remember him when he was well. How he loved the beach! He was the greatest little trooper. AND he never ran away, EVER!!! He accepted all the animals that we foisted on him over the years, but always let them know that HE was in charge. We have a cat named Prozach, that thinks he's a dog. I'm pretty sure Shammy convinced him of that fact. It wouldn't do for a dog to love a cat, and Shammy loved Prozach.... They'd curl up together for their naps sometimes, and it was so cute. He taught Prozach to sit for treats, and to wag his tail.
Wherever you are, Shammy, I hope you find another Cat to turn into a dog..... Since you don't eat the same food, they're not competition!
I remember when we got Shelatie (another dog, that Monica just had to have....) Shelatie can eat twice her own weight at one sitting, so the days of dogfood in a bowl on the floor were ended with Shelatie's arrival. I will say this though, Shammy's appetite increased when Shelatie came. He would nip and growl at Shelatie whenever they were eating. Shelatie always finished first, of course, and would come sniffing over to Shammy's bowl for desert! Shelatie is a little bundle of love with a waggy tail, and she brought new life to Shammy. They would play together and chase each other around the yard. It was a joy to see. Another little ritual they'd do was strange to watch. Whenever it rained, of course they got wet. When they'd come back in the house, Shelatie would purposely sit right in front of Shammy, so that Shammy could lick the rain off her. If Shammy didn't respond, Shelatie would just keep following him around and plunk herself under Shammy's nose, whine, and wait. Shammy would patiently lick all the rain off Shelatie, head to tail.
Shelatie sensed something was wrong this past month (since Shelatie moved back in April, welcome back, Salami). She'd still try to play with Shammy, but got no response. We've had lots of rain lately, but Shammy didn't feel like licking the rain from Shelatie. I wonder if we could train Prozach to do it? I'll take pictures, lol. I'm sure she'll miss Shammy too.
OK, I've gone on and on about my dog, Shamrock. I needed to. I will miss him so much, and wanted to share a bit of the Shammy story with my friends. I hope you have animals that love you, like I did. If you don't, please go rescue one today. It's worth it, they're worth it. There's nothing like the unconditional love of Woman's Best Friend. The rewards are many.... just ask anyone who's ever had a pet.
I'll always love you, Shammy, and I'm glad your suffering is over. Please save a spot for me in Doggy Heaven, because I want to meet you again, but not too soon, there are still more animals to rescue!
I remember when we got Shelatie (another dog, that Monica just had to have....) Shelatie can eat twice her own weight at one sitting, so the days of dogfood in a bowl on the floor were ended with Shelatie's arrival. I will say this though, Shammy's appetite increased when Shelatie came. He would nip and growl at Shelatie whenever they were eating. Shelatie always finished first, of course, and would come sniffing over to Shammy's bowl for desert! Shelatie is a little bundle of love with a waggy tail, and she brought new life to Shammy. They would play together and chase each other around the yard. It was a joy to see. Another little ritual they'd do was strange to watch. Whenever it rained, of course they got wet. When they'd come back in the house, Shelatie would purposely sit right in front of Shammy, so that Shammy could lick the rain off her. If Shammy didn't respond, Shelatie would just keep following him around and plunk herself under Shammy's nose, whine, and wait. Shammy would patiently lick all the rain off Shelatie, head to tail.
Shelatie sensed something was wrong this past month (since Shelatie moved back in April, welcome back, Salami). She'd still try to play with Shammy, but got no response. We've had lots of rain lately, but Shammy didn't feel like licking the rain from Shelatie. I wonder if we could train Prozach to do it? I'll take pictures, lol. I'm sure she'll miss Shammy too.
OK, I've gone on and on about my dog, Shamrock. I needed to. I will miss him so much, and wanted to share a bit of the Shammy story with my friends. I hope you have animals that love you, like I did. If you don't, please go rescue one today. It's worth it, they're worth it. There's nothing like the unconditional love of Woman's Best Friend. The rewards are many.... just ask anyone who's ever had a pet.
I'll always love you, Shammy, and I'm glad your suffering is over. Please save a spot for me in Doggy Heaven, because I want to meet you again, but not too soon, there are still more animals to rescue!
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