I started calling him Blue Dog because of those eyes!
For the most part, Brian and I love living in the rural south. But, there are a few things I would change if I could.
One, is the animal problem that is prevalent in our area. And that is what today’s blog is about.
I arrived home from work Wednesday to find a beautiful dog on my back deck. As I pulled into the driveway, he came down the steps and began walking towards the car. He stopped at about 10 feet away and looked at me after I got out of the car. Starving, mangy and with beautiful blue eyes, I kept my distance. He finally walked a few feet away and I went into the house to be greeted by Hubby. As we hugged, I began to cry. This poor, beautiful, pitiful dog. How could someone let this happen to an innocent creature?
I wanted to feed it, but Brian said no. So, I went into the house and began the evening house chores, keeping my eye on this dog through the window. He curled up and slept for awhile near the steps of the deck.
I called my neighbor, David. He would know what to do, I figured. After all, he and Julie have six rescue dogs and numerous stray cats that they care for. I knew this wasn’t one of my neighbor’s dogs. They take exceptional care of their critters, but I thought maybe he might know who it belonged to or might be able to advise me on what I should do. Well, the vet is out of town for four days, he said. And, I realized with that one statement what must be done. This dog needed care and I was elected to provide it just by virtue of him showing up on my doorstep.
Dammit! I don’t want to care for a dog. I already have three rescue kitties! Hubby and I have discussed in the past the responsibilities of dog ownership and decided we do not want a dog! We live on a main road, which is very dangerous for animals and we do not have a fenced yard to provide protection for a dog. We do not have very much discretionary income each month and pet ownership comes with a price! A pet needs food, water, shelter. A pet gets sick and needs veterinary care. A pet needs to be spayed/neutered, have its shots, yada, yada. No, a dog is not in our cards at this time. That would be just plain irresponsible on our part.
Before I hung up the phone with David, I knew I would need some dog food. I could run up to the grocery store and buy a bag, but somehow that seemed like I was accepting ownership. So no, let me just ask David if he could spare some, which of course, he could. So, Hubby, who is out cutting grass, sees me trekking next door with a container and races the riding mower over to me and says, “Don’t do it!” So, I get a little teary eyed again and say to him, “How can we not do this? He’s starving.” And, so Brian gives his blessing and I bring home some food for the dog.
Of course, the dog spent the night on the back deck. Of course, he greeted me when I went to get in the car the next day to go to work. Of course, he was there when I got home, and of course, he will probably still be here on Monday when I can take him to the vet to find out if he can be treated or if he should be put down.
Of course, I have begun calling him Blue because of those eyes. Blue Dog, Blue Eyes, Blue Boy. Dammit! If this dog can be saved, does anyone out there in the world wide web want him?
By the way, to the previous owner of this dog, “You are a putz AND an asshole!”
That dog couldn’t have found a better home. Believe me, you do get attached to them. They can be so bad in the beginning (maybe 1-2 years) but after that, it’s clear going. Unconditional love.
Give Bob a kiss for me.
Bonnie, Ha, ha! No, we’re not going to name him Bob, although we thought about it! We’re leaning a little towards Sam, but that doesn’t seem quite right, either. Maybe we’ll stick with Blue Dog!
So, today is a vet visit for the Blue Dog. I do hope it goes well for you all, Cindy. Please update us on what the vet says. I hope the vet will talk with you about possible psychological scars, in addition to the physical ones. Pitbulls are mighty powerful dogs, so it’s vital that he is stable and well socialized. Good luck!
Blue Dog just got home from his first trip to the vet. Doc says he is 6 mo. old pit bull mix. Says his fight wounds are healing nicely and we can give him a bath. Says he is still underweight, but looks okay. Says he would have grown out of the blue eyes by now, so eyes are their permanent color.
Says in the right environment, these dogs are very loving and I should get him introduced to the cats right away so he will never get distressed with them. Not sure what to do about that. If anything ever happened to them…
Any advice anyone?
Puppies sure are a pain in the ass. But oh, so sweet! Say goodbye to:shoes, remote controls, throw rugs, spectacles, books, pillows and pretty much anything else in your house! Hopefully the cats will swat him a few times otherwise they become play toys if they run.
Care, thanks so much for the advice! I feel so much better now!
Cindy, the news about Blue Dog made me very happy. Rescue dogs are the most loving of all…they really appreciate everything you do for them. I kind of like the name and when Carrie comes to visit you’ll have “Black and Blue Dog.”
Daneen, Blue Dog is incredible! He is in the house tonight with the three cats and is getting along beautifully! It is funny that Carrie has Black Dog and I have Blue Dog! She (Carrie) is coming up this weekend to meet Blue!
Copycat!
Isn’t it funny that people ( like all of us commenting) who have adopted rescue’s have multiples? My favorite people!
Cindy I enjoy reading your blogs. It take me away from my reality. I too didn’t want any more animals but I am a sucker too. We have 2 labs(one black one chocalate), 1 golden retriever. We call them the 3 muskiteers. They are always together playfully destroying my pompass grass. It must feel good on their coats but i worry they will get cut. We also have a daple dachsund and a miniture blue hair and one cat, Fancey. After loosing Ruby another black lab my daught Jessie had on Christmas Eve night. We replace her with SoCo (Jessie’s Southern Comfort) Christmas Day and I dont regret it a bit! He loves her and will cry if she leaves him. He is scared of the vacuum cleaner and anything loud but he is not a fraid of the water. He will dive in the pool with all legs stretched. Of course, dont forget Kolby the tail amputee ran over by the UPS man. Sierra the dachsund nobody wanted I think because she wasn’t properly house trained and has a habit of cleaning up behind herself but they all rule the roost!
Pat, Wow, you really do have a menagerie over at your house! I can’t even count them all up!
Dachshunds must be notorious for troublesome housebreaking. My girl is 6 years old and STILL has accidents. My labs had no trouble whatsoever learning.
Crap. I see heartbreak written all over this dog. We too have three rescue dogs. One we have named Black Dog as we were not going to keep her. That was four years ago. After having her vaccinated we discovered she had heart worms with 50/50 chance to live. Heartworm treatment must be very painfull for dogs. I equate it to doggy chemo as they hooked her up to IV. After her treatments ( I think I remember her having 3 or 4) she wouldn’t want to be touched. Once she bumped into the coffee table and howled out in pain. Poor girl. I’m happy to announce, however, that we still call her Black Dog and she is very healthy! There is no such thing as a free dog….
My heart began to pound when I started reading this story. This is one of my pet peeves and the worst thing about living in this area. I will never understand cruelty/neglect/abuse to animals. I think you know how much I love animals. In fact, I always say I prefer them to humans; there, I said it for the whole world to see. They are loyal, honest and give unconditional love. How many humans do you know that you can say that about?!
Some of the atrocities these creatures endure is beyond comprehension. I sincerely hope “Blue Dog” is physically okay. I understand all too well the financial responsibilities of dog ownership. We are down to three now and the costs are still outrageous. One of our guys is on Viagra (for a heart condition) but that’s another whole story.
And, while I’m thinking of it, something everyone should be aware of is to never allow a dog to be “free to good home” because doing so is tantamount to an open invitation for the animal to be chosen as a “bait dog” for the fighting ring. The bait dogs are thrown in and ripped to shreds to teach the fighter to be a more aggressive and efficient killer.
Putz – asshole – absoluetly, but I cannot even think of a word to adequately describe some of these despicable individuals!
I guess you can tell this subject is very close to my heart.
Daneen, Yes, I knew I would hear from you on this! And, thanks for reminding people to never give a dog away for free (except maybe to a close personal friend). I guess Blue Dog came to us for a reason.
This made me cry.
Mari, me too! He does look a lot better today! The huge lump on his back is gone and, although he is not eating much, he looks like he may have gained a few pounds, too. So, I’m hoping the trip to the vet on Monday is good.