Adopting Throw Away Pets - The story of Dude.

Our family pets are family members too.

They love without reservations.

They are loyal and true.

They are always happy to greet us when we get home, no matter how long, or how short a period, we are gone.

(much unlike some of our human family members)

I love dogs.

• They are the true companion of man.
• They love without boundaries.
• Their love is unconditional.
• They are always happy to see you.
• And best of all they don't talk back.

''My greatest goal in life is to be the kind of person my dogs think i am.''

When tragedy stuck my brother's family:

One of my brothers had three children. One of those children had a dog. A mixed breed. His name was Dude.

First my brothers wife died.

Then one of his children died.

Then the spouse of the second of the children died.

Then the second child died.

• This one had the dog.

The remaining child could not take the dog, so i did.

He really was not an affectionate or friendly dog. He would not come to me when i called him. He just sat quietly watching as we emptied out the house after everyone had passed away.

On the last day of packing up the household stuff, and closing up the house to put on the market, I had left the passengers side of my pickup truck empty.

I said to the dog,

"you get one chance to make a choice. Either stay here by yourself, or come home with me".

I opened up the passenger door on my pickup, and said,

"it is now or never".

He ran to the truck and jumped in. Sat upright on the seat and looked out the windshield, as if to say.

''OK, i made up my mind, lets go''.

And so we did just that.

I brought this little guy home rather than place him in a pound, kennel, shelter, etc..

He was about three years old. His name is "Dude". He was extremely reluctant about letting me pet him, but, he settled right in with the other 3 dogs, even though he was brought up in a household where he was the only pet.

He also was not used to being around cats, and i had seven of them at the time. He didn't harm them, just growled every time one of them ventured too close to him.

He was clearly an alpha dog. He wanted to rule the roost.

Since all the others pets were quite content with themselves being equals they mainly just ignored him.

He was not a particularly lovable dog, but he was not mean or aggressive or anything like that. He just growled a lot. This was usually enough to make anyone in his way, move. Now he knew he had some 'growling power' over the other animals. I keep telling him he is a bully.

Every time he growled i would pick him up and sit him in my folded arms at chest height. He was so proud to be above all the others he would hold his head up high and look around like a king sitting on his throne.

The other little dog "Bruno" (actually they were about the same size - 30 lbs or so) was spoiled rotten and spent most of his time on my lap while watching TV and slept on the bed, by my side.

Dude starting observing this phenomenon with much curiosity.

He was never allowed on the bed, or other furniture, in his previous home.

He would just sit and stare at the other one, sitting on my lap. I would guess, he was trying to figure out why he was staying on my lap and looking so content.

Eventually he got up the nerve to try it himself. The first time he jumped on my lap, it sort of startled me. He just stood there for a few moments, awkwardly tried to sit next to me on the recliner, as opposed to actually sitting on my lap.

When he found there was not enough room for him to do that he got down and gave me a dirty look.

After a couple of attempts he figured out that the best place to sit was actually on my lap. Thus a new competition had begun between him and Bruno.

Then he 'allowed' me to pet him while he was sitting on my lap. After a fashion, i would give him a gentle hug and a kiss on the top of his head. The first couple of times he gave me the weirdest look and got down on the floor.

So i started calling him "the Dude with a 'tude" (attitude of course).

Now 8 years later when i give him kisses on the top of his head, he just looks at me lovingly and even manages a little "kiss" back by a quick flick of his tongue on my cheek.

He is still not sure if he likes this affection or not.

After losing 6 of my 7 cats, and one of the 3 dogs, to old age and illnesses, he only has to compete with one cat and one other dog.

He has mellowed with age and his growling is not as prevalent. He even allows the cat to affectionately rub up against him a couple of passes before he gives her a warning growl, to say that's enough.

She doesn't push him.

He has been a great source of joy and comfort to me over the years and i have grown quite attached to this little guy.

He found his own place at the foot of the bed, and in my heart. this little 'Dude' with a 'tude'.

So i decided to do a musical slide show for him while he is still living so he can enjoy it too.

I have a 60" TV and when i play my musical DVDs that i have of my deceased pets, he will sit and watch them with me.

Probably wondering why they are no longer here, and how long it will before it is his turn to join them.

I do hope it will be many, many years from now.

So, here is a little slide show i put together to share his little (big) life with you.

I recently discovered how to make videos with my camera and after placing it on 'you tube', i can now add it to the hub.

Hope you enjoy the little video as well.

Thanks for reading, watching, and sharing a little of Dude's exceptional life with me.

by: d.william 10/21/10