I
come from a family of dog lovers. Maybe that’s why dogs are such a huge part of
my life. And like people, they all have their own distinct personalities. When
I was a kid, our family dog was a standard poodle. Coco had champion bloodlines,
and he seemed to know it too, because, boy, did that dog have an attitude.
And
also like people, there are some dogs that you just have an extra special
connection with. I had that with Chance, a pit bull mix. She came to me one
snowy Christmas morning when I was out at my car getting a gift I’d hidden
there from my daughter. I couldn’t believe this adorable black-and-white puppy
was bounding down my driveway. It turned out one of my neighbors had found her
abandoned at the side of the highway, but she was too much of a handful for
them to keep. They were planning to take her to the local animal shelter after
the holiday, but she ran away—and into my life—when they let her out to do her
business. Needless to say, they were more than thrilled when I offered to keep
her. She wound up being the most gentle and loving dog I ever had. Chance was
with me for seventeen wonderful years, and when she died, I thought for sure
I’d never love another dog as much as I had her. But then Bailey came into my
life.
Bailey
is a French bulldog, and he has the complete opposite of Chance’s friendly, fun-loving
personality. While at times he can be quite the clown, Bailey has a tendency to
be stubborn and grumpy. However, we have a very special bond, and despite his
sometimes craggy personality, I love him as much as I loved Chance. And if it
wasn’t for his bugging me to take him for a walk, I’d probably be overweight
and out of shape, since I stay glued to my computer screen for much of the day.
Each
dog has brought me so much joy, in his or her own unique way, that I couldn’t
imagine not having one—or more.
Most
of my books have a dog in them. It’s my way of saying thank you to the furry
friends that have given me so much.
Raine
English writes small-town sweet contemporary romances. Vistit her website, www.RaineEnglish.com, for updates on her
books.
I love dogs too, but they are too energetic for me. I have cats who love me but who don't need me as much. I miss having a dog sometimes though.
ReplyDeleteSome breeds aren't too energetic. My French bulldog, Bailey, can be a real couch potato.
DeleteWe've had a lot of dogs over the years. Our last dog lived to be nearly 18 years old. We now have no pets. Now that we can travel more, we don't want to have to worry about pets left at home. Our last dog died while we were on vacation, so that influenced our decision not to have more pets.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. It's difficult to go away and leave them.
DeleteWe had a corgi when I was growing up and later a Golden Retriever, but I've always wanted a black Scottish Terrier. Just so cute and staunch and I go embarrassingly nuts when I see one in real life, which is not often. Maybe one day.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, Joanne. Hopefully, you will get your Scottish Terrier one day.
DeleteBeautiful post. What a lucky day for both you and Chance. Sounds like it was fate.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I believe it was fate. I fell in love with her immediately.
DeleteI have a fourteen-year-old Australian shepherd/blue heeler mix named Monty. It's hard to watch him growing older, experiencing confusion and aches and pains. He's very sweet still, and protective of my handicapped sister. If she answers the door, he gets between her and the door. If I do, he stands behind me as if to say ,'Oh, you can take care of yourself.'
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard to watch them grow old. Your Monty sounds very sweet.
DeleteI miss my doggie, Sadie, whom I had for fifteen years. I'd like to get another one, but we travel too much. If I could get my daughter to share one, that would be great.
ReplyDeleteI know. It's so hard when they're gone. I still miss Chance a lot.
DeleteI love dogs because they are great companions and they love you unconditionally.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, I love that.
DeleteI don't have a dog right now due to apartment living and working long hours. But growing up we had a border collie named Shelly. She was a frisbee dog and would catch them in midair. She was the best dog ever!
ReplyDeleteTossing a Frisbee to her must have been lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteI adore dogs. I've had a number through my life. When I was a child we had a Dalmatian and a couple of German Shepherd/Labrador crosses. I also had a poodle cross that was my own back then. She stayed with me until I was married and I finally had to say goodbye to her when my daughter was tiny. Then we had a couple of Shih Tzus. We have lost both of them in the last couple of years and now I have Izzy--the dog of my heart. I adore her. There is something extra special about Izzy. Both hubby and I feel the same way about her. She even sleeps in bed with us at night.
ReplyDelete