SECOND HAND DOG

"SECOND HAND DOG"

 BY CAROLE LEA BENJAMIN

This book was recommended to me by a reader of this blog.   I had to order the book at the library.  They have it, but it is out on loan..

 

This is the first time we have minded getting a "Second Hand Dog".  It wasn't the fact he was a "reject".  It was the fact we weren't ready for another dog, especially a short haired dog.  We are long hair dog owners. 

 

In 50 years we have had only three dogs with short hair. 

 

A beagle (maybe a runaway), whom we found a home for real quick.  The dog was as sweet as could be but had no idea and didn't want to learn her property had boundaries. 

 

Then there was Dougie (remember Dougie Hauser MD).  He was a suspected drop off.  He was definitely all hound.  A very happy go lucky dog.  He was very protective of the house.  One day he had an argument with a snow plow on the road.  He only wanted to be outside, protecting the property from any invaders.  We arrived home one day, he was gone.  We suspect he was stolen.  He would've never left.

 

Gritchen was, sort of, a dog of choice.  We were visiting Denver and Mom's neighbor raised Dachshunds.   There were 9 dogs running around the house.  Gritchen was born with a broken tail, because of it they couldn't find a home for her as a registered dog.  We felt sorry for her living, as an after thought, in the house.  You could tell when we walked in, how she hung back, because she didn't expect any attention.  We decided to bring her into the "group".  At that time we had a Samoyed and a Border collie/spaniel cross.  Both were recycled dogs from people who couldn't or wouldn't take the time to give them an education.  They were both called incorrigible (We had no problems with the very loving dogs).   Needless to say they were great friends.  When Gritchen was introduced to them it was love at first sight.  They were the three musketeers. 

 

 But an unforeseen shift of Alfa dog occurred.  It was a huge shift.  Gritchen got control of the house, to the point, she refused to let the other dogs on the bed.  She played king of the hill.  The Samoyed acted like Eeyor, "oh bother".  They let her carry on, let her think she was the boss.

 

The acquisition of this pit bull has been a challenge.  From the minute we mentioned he was dropped off at the gate.  People told us the horror stories they had heard.  Told us, how that kind of dog with an unknown background would be trouble.  The only encouragement we received was from our vet.  When Doc saw him he commented, lovingly stroking the dogs head, "You are such a fine Dog."  Until then, No one had had anything good to say about the breed, much less about us and the job we had assumed. 

 

From the minute this dog entered our lives there has been no sign of aggression and only love and loyalty.  Yes he has been "Dumb" about some things, but that has been the educating of US.  Yes, I said "US".  We had to watch and observe his reactions to US and his surroundings.  We had to figure out who he was before we could figure out how he would fit with US.

I have learned to watch for his clues.  Just recently the issues of crating.  It only worked during the potty training sequences.  As soon as we tried to crate him for night, it only worked one night and since then he whines and pants and digs at the crate's walls. (During the day he goes in and out of the open crate,  putting his toys in there.  He also takes naps in it, so he isn't afraid of it.)

Even when he knows we are here he goes super nanas (bananas).  Last night we bit the bullet and let him have the run of the house.  He made it through with no accidents and no chewing.  There was Lightening and Thunder. We heard no whines or disparaging sounds.  It was pouring rain this morning and he couldn't or wouldn't go out.  He held it.  He had not been out for almost 12 hours.  During this time he had compete access to water.

We had another test time.  I had to leave for 2 hours.  He did great.  I don't think he left the area in front of the door while I was gone.

I just remembered something wonderful about this almost 80 pound dog (puppy).  He hasn't jumped up or tried to jump up on anyone.  We have wracked our brain why anyone would have beaten this dog or dumped him. 

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com

A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind.  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

 

 http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission