It's Your Turn! - What's Your Dog Love Story?

I met my sweet Loki at the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society. He came in as an owner surrender. We worked together socializing dogs that came into the shelter. Over and over Loki helped a dog, that dog got adopted and Loki was left in the shelter. He was a big black dog( hard to adopt out). Finally shelter life got the best of him and he was going to be put down. I decided that he and I needed to belong to eachother, so I got him tranferred to a sanctuary until I could adopt him. Five months later I rented a van and drove the two days to get him.

Loki has been my companion for nearly five years. He is both Mama's boy and Mama's protector. I love him with all my heart. His presence helped me through the death of my parents. He even helped watch over my father in his last days.

The last words my father said were "Where's Loki?". When I assured him that Loki was fine he said "He's a good dog, take good care of him" Papa could pass knowing Loki was there with me.

bobbi Durston

I live with & love 6 Beagles, ages 14 years to 11 days. 3 generations. 4 of my Beagles were born here, into my hands. The two oldest flew north from Miami. I fell in love with them all at first sight, whether they were wet at birth or 12-14 week old puppies, already a part of who they would become. Every day they make me smile and laugh. Every day they teach me something new. Every day they are happy to see me (and yes, I admit it, their dinner & breakfast)
I love their enthusiasm, sense of humor and attitude towards life.

My sweet dog, so sweet and caring,
How could I pee without you staring?

I brought Amy home at 6 weeks of age when she was the tiniest little thing, and we've been inseparable for over 10 years. I've known Amy longer than most of my friends - she's been with me for some of the saddest and the happiest times of my life. She sleeps right next to me every night - we even share the same pillow. She taught me how to train, and her energy inspired me to learn more than just the basics. She's happier to see me than anyone else I know, and her sweet face and squinty eyes warm my heart after the toughest days. Her eyes will literally melt your heart!

I first met Mr. Studebaker Hawk at about 4 months of age, when he was an emaciated, strange looking little fellow at the shelter. Although he was one of the only puppies at the shelter at the time, he wasn't quick to be adopted - too funny looking, I suppose. I brought him home to my husband because of his brindled coat and his silliness, and decided to keep him after Amy happily approved. His behavior is a constant challenge to me, but I also know he loves me dearly. When he leans his skinny bones against me, and presses his forehead into my chest for Studebaker hugs, I know he needs me just as much as I need him. Every challenge we face together brings us closer, I'm sure!

This is going to be long, so bear with me.

We met Harley at Petco on Adoption Day. I had talked Nikk into "just looking" and there was Harley, the only dog not in a crate and the only one not barking or sleeping. We looked at the others for a minute and then decided on Doo. After talking with his foster dad at length about Harley's very rough start, we decided he needed us as much as we needed him. We had just gotten married and were starting our new life together, what better time to get a dog right? So, two years and a lot of learning later, Harley is one of the best dogs I could have asked for. He has his issues but who doesn't? And yes, he came with the name. It is just further proof that he was meant to be with us since our last name is Davidson.

Daisy Mae, rest her precious soul, came to us from a neighbor who thought it would be cute to teach the 13 pound, 3 month old Pit Bull how to Attack. She decided one day that she just could take care of her any more and was going to give her to the highest bidder. Didn't pay a dime, and got a wonderful friend for us and Harley. Sadly, our beloved Daisy Mae passed away in November after a valiant battle with her back yard breeding and cris-crossed wiring.

We got Ellee Mae the December after Daisy Mae passed and she is the best little puppy. After a trip across country in a big rig, she's made herself right at home and fits very well into our "pack". I truly believe that she is Daisy Mae in a smaller, different colored body. She is a love and has made Daisy's passing a little easier to deal with.

Last but not least, sweet Butch. Although he is only living with us temporarily, he is a wonderful dog and makes a bad day better with his goofy, just happy to be him attitude. He was found wandering around a busy road, looking into cars for his owners. After a two week stay in Galt, he came to live with us. His eternally upbeat approach to life gives me a boost every day that I don't want to get up. I'm going to miss him terribly when we find him a forever home.

Aubree Davidson

Mojo

M is for the Magical effect you have on everyone, lifting their moods and putting a smile on their faces.
O is for how Over the moon I am with love for you.
J is for you still being being Just the sweetest puppy in the world, 14 years after we first laid eyes on you.
O is for Only you know that you are my true Valentine…don’t tell daddy!

I met my Cheyenne at an ARBA show, where she barked at me in terror from a crate. My first dog as an adult, Amanda, had died suddenly a few weeks before. Several months before her death I had learned that Amanda was not the aussie mix I'd always assumed her to be, but a Catahoula Leopard Dog. Before Amanda's death, I'd begun researching the breed and planned to attend the dog show. I wanted to meet breeders, but didn't think I was ready for another dog yet. (yeah, right!)

Soon after arriving at the show, I found a gathering of catahoula people, introduced myself, and started making friends. In the informal atmosphere of an ARBA show, one of the breeders soon had me handling one of her dogs in the ring and was giving me lots of information. Cheyenne alone amongst the dogs stayed in her crate, barking when anyone came too close or looked at her. She was 4 months old and absolutely gorgeous, but she didn't seem to have much playful puppy in her. She was already a very serious dog. I learned that she had bitten a woman that day who had reached into her crate and pulled the snarling terrified puppy right up to her face. It was her third bite.

I started tossing her treats and she stopped barking at me after a while. A little later, I took Cheyenne and two other puppies for a walk on a big lawn on the show grounds. Her playful side came out a bit with the other dogs, but she kept coming back to me. I was thrilled at trying to draw her out, but she wasn't at all what I thought I loved so much about her breed. My Amanda had been a supremely confident clown and social butterfly who I had taken nearly everywhere with me. Cheyenne wasn't that kind of dog.

Back near the show rings, I kept Cheyenne with me on leash. I learned that she belonged to her breeder's best friend, who had 3 kids, 4 catahoulas, and was in the process of moving into her mother's rather small home after a nasty breakup. The breeder was trying to convince her to return Cheyenne. Cheyenne's owner didn't want to part with her and was concerned about losing what she'd paid for her.

While listening to all of this, I was having a blast getting to know Cheyenne. Against my better judgement, I offerred to take her. Her breeder encouraged her friend to give her to me. I told her what a great gig it was to be my dog with my flexible graduate student's schedule and active lifestyle. After an hour of badgering, she ask me if I'd be willing to pay what she had paid for Chey. I declined, saying that a biting shy dog wasn't one she could likely sell. In reality, I was just angry that she was holding out for money when she clearly wasn't in a place to give the dog a good life. She stood her ground.

A little while later, a large bearded man in a cowboy hat came to the tent where I was hanging out with Cheyenne. Cheyenne was terrified and barked ferociously at him. I managed to distract her, take her behind the tent, and calm her down. She climbed into my lap and rested her little head on my shoulder, trembling. I stroked her until she fell asleep, still with her head on my shoulder. It was over.

Cheyenne's owner had told me she wanted $350 dollars. I had $200 in my checking account. My roommate, who'd accompanied me to the show said he had $100 he could lend me. The owner agreed to take $300, and we said our goodbyes and loaded my new puppy into the car for a 2 hour drive home.

I was in way over my head with Cheyenne. I'd taken exactly one obedience class in my life, read a couple books, and fostered a few shy shelter dogs. I thought all she needed was love and structure and she'd be fine. I was a fool, but I wouldn't change a thing. Over the next year, I learned how to turn Chey's behavior around. It was a slow and difficult process, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It created a tremendous bond between Cheyenne and I, and itlaunched me on the road to being a dog trainer.

Chey's 12 years old now. She's showing her age with cataracts, spinal calcification, and hip dysplasia; but she still loves a good hike and still insists on an ally-oop assist to her own jump into the car rather than being lifted. She adores people and thinks that visitors to our home are there to see her. She's sees me through several career changes, even more moves, a marriage, a divorce, and falling in love all over again. She was my sister's constant companion and guardian during a long difficult rehab from a serious accident. I expect her to be around to see me get married again and start a family.

When I first met Chey, she was the opposite of what I thought I wanted in a dog, but today I literally can't imagine my life without her. Her dignity, fierce intelligence, tenacity, and quiet tender ways of expressing affection are just part of its fabric.

Thanks Kelly! I don't often stop to ponder just how much I love my dogs. Writing this was a lot of fun, and a good reminder of how precious our time with our dogs is.

Jack came to me after my female akita had died unexpectedly due to an unknown and undiagnosed liver tumor. Because it was so sudden, it took me awhile before I decided to get another akita. When I decided I would look again, I had a breeder friend expecting a litter from a male I really loved. Unfortunatly it was a small litter of a single puppy that she kept. Just after that it happened my females breeder had a litter on the ground with a longcoat. She graciously offered him to me as a gift. He was born almost an exact year after we lost Shimo. I took it as a sign and said yes. He came home 2 days before Christmas.

He is now 3 years old and has bloomed into the best dog ever. He is good with other dogs, he is sweet and he loves kids. He is also a really big goofball that is very entertaining to watch at times.

I love all my dogs, I truely do as they are all special in their ways, but for some reason he holds my heart in a differently. I already dread the day he will be gone. I learned never to take our time with them for granted because anything can happen at any time. I am not sure I will be able to have another akita after he is gone either. I am afraid no other would measure up to him he is that wonderful to me. I have heard people say similar things before and I never really understood it. Now I do.

Sometimes when I watch him it stuns me the amount of love that I feel for this big fluffy goofy dog. I wish everyone could have that in their lives.

Tail wags,
Marie Finnegan
K-9 Solutions Dog Training Inc.

We acquired our Rott (Bailey) many years ago. Yes acquired is right, the last thing I every wanted was a Rott. My daughter was a trainer in the Chicago area and she also worked for a shelter. She often came across dogs that needed a good home, since I already had a Shephered I did not want another big dog. As the story goes, she was living at a breeders and one day the husband came home early and found his wife breeding. He then got rid of his wife and all of the dogs (can't blame him) My daughter called my husband, she knew better to call me again, and ask if she could bring the dog to our house so he could just see her. The dog was beautiful and very good, but I stood my ground no more dogs. As my daughter was leaving I said, you forgot the dog. She said she had to make a stop and could not take the dog with her, that she would be back the next or so to pick up the dog. Well, as I said that was many years ago, and Bailey was the best dog I ever had. She was a great love for all of my family, Fred and I, my grandchildren, my mother and many of my neighbors.
I am very said to say she is no longer with us, as of last November, and we miss her so.

Mary

Russell...the JRT who welcomed me to Oregon with doggy hugs and kisses...my first furry family in a brand new life. Now the old man of the house who hopes I won't throw the ball too far.

Rodie...whose real name is Rodent because he looked like an over-grown hamster when he was given to me as my first Valentine gift from my husband. My little Yorkie-Poo...a fluffy ball of pure strength...out for his own good...I always imagine him with a tiny derby and an English accent.

Izzy...the scared, growly little puppy who didn't like strangers at the tender age of 5 weeks. I took the "free puppy" from the neighbor's barn thinking that without special care she would end up in a shelter or worse. We socialized the little Chow/Shep mix and at a year old she is still shy, but probably the sweetest most loving dog I've ever known.

Emma...little Pit mix girl being beaten with a skateboard in a public park...what could she have done at the age of 12 weeks to deserve that? She was brought to me as a foster, I planned to find her the perfect home...who could have known it would be my home. Inseparable from Izzy, she is the resident clown who makes everyone laugh every day.

And Ringo...the dog we had to let go. We hope you are happy and loved in your new home. We miss you so much!

I love you all very much.

Our previous dog was run over on the road while we were visiting relatives. A few weeks later, my oldest son wanted to get a GSD. I looked up some breeders & we went to look at puppies. Later that day we went to visit a family friend. After telling her what we'd been doing, she told us her brother's Border Collie had pups. So the next day we went to see the puppies. They only had one female, what we wanted, available as they were keeping the other one.
A week later we went to pick her up. She was my shadow for nearly 15 yrs, we had many happy outings together. Sadly she passed away last Monday. RIP my sweet April.

Aspen is my heart dog. He gets me, and I try very hard to understand him. :) I looked a long time for a breeder after our last aussie died suddenly. I knew that I couldn't handle a working type dog and definatly need a more show quality personality. I was very clear to the breeders what I was looking for and thankfully most of them were very honest with me about what kind of puppies they were expecting. I finally found one who said she had a litter that fit the bill perfectly. I drove out to meet the pups and was greeted by five friendly bouncing aussies! Mom proudly led me down the hall to where her pups were and had no problem letting me fuss over them. Aspen was beautiful even that little. (they were only a week old at the time) As he lay in the puppy heap trying to take a nap his bossy sister came over and started to chew on his ear. Aspen heaved a sigh and stuck his head under the nearest sibling. :D Those were the longest seven weeks of my life! But the day he came home with me he curled up in my lap and slept all the way home. He's been my best bud and biggest teacher ever since. He's made everyone he's ever met laugh out loud and is as gentle as a lamb during therapy visits. He's dorky, goofy, handsome, and regal all rolled into one fluffy red merle package and I thank doG every day he came to live with me.

"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." - Edward Hoagland

I'm terribly allergic to animals, but that didn't stop me from falling in love with a Rottweiler named Ivan. It was about 15 years ago that my then girlfriend brought home a puppy that was to become her companion and demo-dog for a K-9 school. I hadn't been involved with raising an animal from infancy before, so the new experience was exciting and awkward all at once. I didn't think for a minute that my allergies to animals that had been dormant for years would rear their ugly head a couple of months into my relationship with Ivan; but they did. My wheezing and itchy eyes and nose bothered me for years, but I could never resist holding my little pal whenever he came around for a kiss or attention. I tolerated many allergy filled days and nights to be around a beast that I fell in love with at first site.

David Eaves
Chicago IL

Yes it can happen between dogs and humans too! We had been looking at Battersea dogs home for just the right older dog to re-home. We really missed the company of a dog at home but had been looking for months to find just the right one. That's when we met Buddy, a 10yr old border collie cross. We knew immediately that he was the one. I don't know why, but he was... and 2 years later, he still is.