For Faithful Friends, Part IV

Thought for the day:  The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. [George Graham]

This is the fourth, and final, post I'll be doing to depict the incredible loyalty of dogs. (At least for now.) No wonder they're called man's best friend, huh?

In the picture is our son Tony as a youngster, along with his Springer spaniel Dumpling, a super gentle dog, and a super duper Frisbee player.


Now, then, ready to look at our last batch of pictures?

There is  no faith that has yet been unbroken except that of a truly faithful dog. [Konrad Lorenz]

This is a picture of our last dog, Buck. After Dumpling died, I was considering going to the shelter to find a Boxer to adopt, until one of the fellas on our bowling league told me his sad story. When he saw a van stop by the river, toss a puppy out the door, and then take off, he picked up the puppy  and took it home with him. The problem was, he lived in an apartment, and his landlord gave him two choices: get rid of the dog, or move out. 

So, he wanted to bring the pup over to our house. Just so I could meet him. Right. We ended up having that pup... and loving  him... for almost seventeen years. Buck was the first pet I had to carry to the vet for that awful last visit. By that time, he could barely walk, couldn't see or hear very well, and had what I'd equate to dementia. Still, on that last trip to the vet, he and I stopped at the park for one last visit. I had to lift him out of the car, but he managed to walk to the bench, and he sat beside me, almost like old times. Seemed happy to be there, but it was almost as though he knew this would be the last time. So trusting. So loyal. Broke my heart. But it was the right thing to do.

And, dammit, I still miss him.

                                  Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

Uh-oh, my cats have been reading over my shoulder, and had a few choice words about all this dog talk. So, better give them a little loving here. Best cats ever! Okay, they're happy now. All they wanted is a little more respect from their staff.

For Faithful Friends, Part III

Thought for the day:  There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. [Ben Williams]

In the mid '70s, we adopted a pair of impish sibling cockapoos. Oliver thought he was my baby. Really. Spoiled rotten. (I had absolutely nothing to do with it.) Cocoa was a tad more mature. (She waited TWO minutes to start whining if I was out of her sight.)

You may have noticed that this post is titled Part THREE? If you wanta check out the first two parts, you can find them in the March 2012 posts. Go ahead. Shoo. I'll wait.

Okay, ready to see more pictures of some of our amazingly faithful canine friends? (WARNING: Get your tissue ready.)

History is full of more examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends. [Alexander Pope}

Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other. (And give your dog an extra treat.)

For Faithful Friends, Part II

Thought for the day:  The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too.  [Samuel Butler]

This was our spoiled rotten, loved-her-to-pieces pooch Dixie. Part chihuahua, and part toy manchester, she was a really teeny tiny thing when we brought her home.

Matter of fact, she stayed pretty small. But she had a big loving heart.

Ready to look at some more faithful dog pics?

What could we possible do to deserve this kind of loyalty?

So, have you ever had a dog who comforted you when you were feeling low? Who was a friend when you most needed one? Who let you cry, and made you laugh? Who sat with you in the dark when you couldn't sleep? Who sympathized and comforted you when you were in pain? We sure are lucky, aren't we?

Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

For Faithful Friends, Part I

Thought for the day:  Labradors are lousy watchdogs. They usually bark when there is a stranger about, but it is an expression of unmitigated joy at the chance to meet somebody new, not a warning. [Norman Strung]

That's a picture of me with our family's first dog, not that I can remember him. His name was Tippy, and my mother told me he was so timid, she had to stand over him with a stick while he ate, so other animals wouldn't steal his food. So, I don't suppose he was much of a watchdog, either.

But there's something extra special about a dog, is there? In fact, some may say If there is no heaven for dogs, then I want to go where they go when I die.


I think there are valid reasons to call them man's best friend. What else is so faithful, so loyal? Let's explore that sentiment through pictures, shall we?

Do you remember the first dog YOU loved?

Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.