Lost Dogs And Found People

Having grown up on a farm, I have been around many animals. The normal barnyard stock included cattle, goats, pigs, turkeys, chickens, ducks and a mule. As kids, we kept rabbits, raccoons and squirrels as pets in addition to the array of dogs and cats. Releasing them back to the wild, was heartbreaking. It was the right thing to do, once they were mended. You learn that as well on the farm.

I like animals, both wild and domestic.

If you are going to be a pet owner, I think you should be a responsible one. Providing for and taking care of your animal is part of the deal. You should train them and develop their social skills. With so many hungry and homeless pets, I urge spaying and neutering, unless you have a well thought out plan regarding the animal offspring.

When you are a farm kid, you learn early about the cycle of life and death. You learn this by losing pets. I have shed tears over most of them and truly grieved over some.

As a mother, I never questioned that my children would have pets. What pet they would have, how many were the issues that concerned me. They, too, had several through the years. I experienced the same things many parents face, teaching the child that a pet is their responsibility. One of my daughters learned very well, as my girls were preparing to go to Granpa's for the weekend, she stopped suddenly and asked, " Mama, will you feed Holly ( her cocker spaniel) while we're gone?"

Maybe, I was too forceful with the responsibility issue......

My current dog, Murphy has been with me for almost five years. He was rescued as a discarded pup on the verge of starvation. Perhaps an animal senses that you brought them back from a terrible fate, I really do not know. It does seem to me, that the best pets I have had have been those that were abandoned, wounded or facing terrible odds. Perhaps, I appreciate their fight for survival, maybe, one of my readers can offer some insight.

Back to Murphy, the rescued dog. He has been the best dog that I have had in twenty years. He is smart, he is polite, well behaved, quick to obey, likes people, especially those who play with him. He also understands what I expect from him, when I tell him, "you're on duty". He is an excellent guard dog. I am quite fond of him.

 At this point, my life is the most carefree that it has ever been. 

My dues have been paid.  I have enough in life, there is no need to collect more things.

 My children are grown and pursuing their own lives.   It seems like my husband and I are free to come and go as we please, and we pretty much do. 

But there are times when we have to ask ourselves and each other, ' what about Murphy'?  This happens most often when considering overnight motorcycle rides, or weekend trips.

There have been times when we considered a second dog, and quickly discarded the idea.  One dog to have to walk in the rain is enough.  One dog to have to provide for is enough.  One dog to take care of is enough.

There are probably some of you, who have dealt with similar debates.

Murphy is taken out regulary early each morning and late each night. On most days, we take a stroll or two around the neighborhood. My favorite route is almost two miles, and we make that most mornings, plus a shorter one in the afternoon.

One one morning earlier this week, as we were nearing home, we cut through the parking lot of a small truck stop. Murphy looks forward to being unleashed at this point and making a mad dash for home. He was sidetracked by a dog somewhat smaller than he is. They went into "play" mode. I surmised that she must be a female, and young, due to the lack of usual male dog posturing! Turns out, that I was correct.

The problem began, when the little thing wanted to follow us home. She would not be coaxed into going back to wherever she came from. She did follow us home. She and Murphy played in the yard awhile, until I called him inside, hoping she would leave.

I went out about three hours later and she was laying curled up on my porch. She was thankful of the food and water, she was given. She was very thirsty, and I gave her more water and took a closer look.

She is a pretty dog, gentle and friendly. She understands the commands to 'stay' and 'sit'. She is not wearing a collar, yet she appears to be too healthy and clean to have been on her own for long.

The neighbors do not seem to recall having seen her before. No one is responding to the "found dog" notices.

My hubby has a softer spot than I do....a point he has demonstrated time after time. When he returned home, he stopped to speak to her, on the porch. Murphy heard his voice and went to the front door, tail wagging. That was my cue to open the door!

Murphy greets the dog and then the hubby. As hubby walks through the threshold, he is saying, " I see, we have another dog". He then invites both dogs inside. Murphy comes right away, the new dog is reluctant. She will not be coaxed inside. In her former home, she must have been an outdoor dog and not permitted inside.

After explaining the story, and the fact that this is not our dog, to him, he suggests that we at least give her a blanket, as the nights are getting much cooler. He then rearranges some things on the porch to provide a wind break for her. We take Murphy for his last evening walk and the new dog  goes along. My hubby comments on how closely she is staying beside me. Like Murphy does, she stops walking when I do and resumes her gait right along with me. Oh, she is a charmer!

There have been no inquiries or calls on the notices. After three days and two nights the dog is still hanging around. She and Murphy still play together. The only logical conclusion to her origins seem to be that she got out of a driver's truck and was unknowingly left behind. But it just a guess and she won't tell us!

I predict there will be a visit to the veterinarian in the near future, and to the groomer. She is still reluctant to enter the house, and I am curious as to how well she will ride in the truck.

Well, the last thing I wanted was another dog. Perhaps she and Murphy will be good company for each other on those overnight rides. In the time to come, I may become quite fond of her also. She seems to be a good match for him. She is well mannered, and teachable. After just a short time, she is learning that I do like to be greeted by a dog jumping on me.  She seems quite content with her little place on the front porch.

You may not be able to see it in the photos, but she has a white blaze on her chest. A light eye and a dark one.

It may be a good thing this little dog found Murphy and me, we didn't even know we were lost!

I am taking suggestions for a name, it doesn't seem fair to keep calling her the 'new dog'.............