Scruffy The Legend

Charlie shows a Springer Spaniel puppy how to use the pool.
Ruby makes a special guest cameo appearance in the background (she refuses to get in the pool)

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Charlie waits impatiently for the pool to fill.

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Charlie is trained to sit immediately upon noticing a dog approaching. This alerts me to off-leash dogs, and is quite useful in that regard. It seems to work for horses, as well. Ruby, being a Beagle, needed no training to bay at any approaching animal, large or small. I hought it was awfully nice of that particular horse to pay the kids a visit. Is it just me, or did they all seem to like each other?

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I am walking Ruby and Charlie each on their retractable leash on the street where I live. About 5 houses down, I see a large (at least 120 lb) Bull Mastiff off leash in the middle of the sidewalk. (I have seen this dog before being walked by an older man on a leash. He told me that it is a large boxer, but might have some Mastiff mixed in.)

Seeing the dog alone on the sidewalk, just to be safe, I decided to cross to the other side. Before I could do so, a Bulldog comes running across the street toward us. (I have also seen this dog before, but never off leash.) The Bulldog runs right up to Ruby and Charlie and has no time for introductions, but simply snarls and attacks. Both Ruby and Charle turn tail and start to run. The Bulldog is a clumsy oaf and can not bite either of my dogs as they keep side stepping. I am getting mad, but my knife remains in my pocket. My weight is shifting a little toward my left as I prepare for a possible right foot low snap kick.  The owner now runs across the street yelling at the dog and profusely apologizing to me. I am not real concerned about the attack becasue the Bulldog is totally inept, but I give the owner my dirtiest look and mumble some curse words at her. She finally gets her dog under control and they return to the other side of the street.

Now I start to walk again. The Mastiff is blocking us. I mutter some curse words. The knife is now in my hand. I start very purposefully toward this dog my eyes glaring at his. Either he will back down or there will be some very serious trouble. Before I have taken three steps, the owner ( a youger man than the one I had met previously) runs out and hustles the dog into his backyard. I continue my walk. As I pass the Mastiff’s house the owner is now in the front yard doing some yard work. Our eyes do not meet as I pass.

At home I examine methods for concealing my real knife that I will now be carrying for all dog walks. I finally determine that a belt with the sheath inside my pants leg is the best way.

All of the above is totally true. I don’t know what would have happened if the Mastiff owner had not appeared. I do not want to kill any dog, however, I will do absolutely anything necessary to protect Ruby and Charlie. I think that the Mastiff would have turned out to be frienldy and only wanted to play. But how am I supposed to be sure of that? I am sure that if the Bulldog attack had not just occurred, I would have simply turned around or crossed the street, and certainly not have challenged a Mastiff with a pocket knife. Needless to say my adrenalin level was a tad high at the time.

I am looking into getting some pepper spray.

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If you have read my book, you know my opinion of food-agression testing at shelters. The dog pictured here was severely underweight and hungry when brought to a shelter. She was given food and showed her teeth when someone (as a test), tried to immediately take it away. GIVE ME A BREAK, THE DOG WAS STARVING!!!  Luckily, this dog was somehow saved, but many dogs are put to death becasue of failing this test. I read about this dog on Keesmom’s blog (link in rt margin of my blog). On further reading and following links on Keesmpm’s blog, I have become aware of Oreo’s law, and some interesting controversy surrounding the ASPCA. The heart-breaking story of Oreo is known to us who live near NYC. If you care about dogs, no matter where you live, Google Oreo’s law. Also, you really need to visit Keesmom’s blog regularly if you love dogs. Keesmom is a Japanese friend of mine. Her blog, at first glance, appears to be in Japanese. Just scroll down until you see “read in English” and click.

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One question you should be asked when adopting a dog (or even when buying a new puppy) is: What will happen to the dog if you must move somewhere where they don’t allow dogs? If you have to think about your answer for even 1 second rather than saying: I would never move anywhere where dogs are not allowed — Then you sould not be getting a dog. If you have a child, would you move somewhere where children are not allowed?

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About Chelsea:
The rescuer received the call from her vet’s office. A shelter had contacted them about a dog she had placed nine years before. The shelter retrieved the vet’s name from Chelsea’s microchip. The rescuer immediately began calling all of the phone numbers from the family who had adopted Chelsea in 2001. After three days, she finally reached the family. They assured her they were on the way to the shelter to pick up Chelsea. Later that day, the rescuer had a phone message from the shelter. The family had come to the shelter, but they did not pick up Chelsea. No, they relinquished Chelsea’s ownership to this county kill shelter. Not only did they relinquish ownership, they also told the shelter workers that the original rescuer did not want the dog back. The shelter, however, wanted to make certain this was the case before the worst happened to Chelsea. The rescuer was incensed! She was lied to by the owners, and the owners endangered Chelsea’s life by lying to the shelter and claiming the rescuer did not want Chelsea! So, after nine years with the same family, Chelsea was back with her original rescuer. What a stroke of happiness for this little girl! Her rescuer is a wonderful mom; although she is no longer a foster home for Keeshond rescue, this rescuer had made a commitment to Chelsea those many years ago. She would not abandon her. The rescuer had her groomed; she took her to the vet’s office (apparently for the first time in 5 years); she began to look for a new home for Chelsea. Even though the previous family had had good references and had promised to care for Chelsea forever, that didn’t happen. The rescuer wants to make certain that Chelsea is loved for the rest of her life! She’s pulling out all the stops and calling on her friends to help. That’s where we come in. Let’s find Chelsea a real forever home this time! Chelsea is fostered in Indiana, but if Chelsea’s new home is elsewhere, we will get her there! Chelsea is a sweet, beautiful (as you can tell), active 10-year-old Keeshond. She loves people and gets along very well with her three Keeshond roommates. She is up-to-date on all of her veterinary care; she is freshly groomed (she had to have a short haircut because she had so many mats and creepy critters); she is on heartworm preventive and flea/tick preventive. Are you the family for Chelsea who will love her and care for her for the rest of her life? Her age is a little misleading, because she’s a happy, active girl. She will be a great friend, if you give her the chance. Chelsea is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered.

I just want to add my appreciation for the original rescuer’s commitment to this dog. Maybe, if you are reading this blog you also read my book. Then you know how I feel about commitment to a rescued dog, and why I can’t even fathom the idea of giving up a pet after nine years (after nine years, for crying out loud!!). – Darryl

Contact:
Suncoast Keeshond Rescue
Elfers, FL
727-534-9002

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