BarkingProse

A call came yesterday from the shelter where I did time. It was the animal control officer who seized me from my previous owner. My new people wanted to know my history and had asked to talk to the officer who investigated my case.

The officer said there was a complaint that animals were living in filthy conditions. With a warrant, the officer entered the house and found me, five small dogs, lots of cats and my pal Butch.

I didn’t care much about housekeeping, but the officer said we could not stay there. The people who lived in the house did not take out the garbage. They didn’t clean the cat box or pick up our poop, so the odor was terrible. We were all taken to the shelter. Butch and I were put in the same cage. I couldn’t see well because my eyes were nearly glued shut with infection. The officer said we all had fleas and my skin was damaged from scratching.

The authorities brought charges against my owner for neglecting us. She had the right to get us back if she went to court, so Butch and I were held at the shelter for a long time. She never came for us. In fact she never showed up for court so there’s still a case against her.

I don’t remember much about the lady who used to own me. She wasn’t mean to me. I don’t remember being kicked or beaten. But she never put me to bed at night or told me that she loved me. That came later, in my new home.

The shelter doctor gave me medicine for my eyes. My skin healed up when the fleas left. I felt a lot better and had plenty to eat. As long as I had Butch things were tolerable. Then one day Butch left. I don’t know where he went. I hope he went to a place where they treat him right.

The weeks dragged on forever. I hated living in that cage. Then one Saturday morning the shelter staff told me I was going on a big adventure. They put my leash on me and walked me to a car. They said good bye to me and wished me well.

I got in the car with another dog and we rode for a long time. Pretty soon we came to a stop and a man and woman took my leash and led me to their car. The next thing I knew I was at Asherpark about to begin my new life.

My affection for her is unseemly. She has become the light which illuminates my dark world. There is no fool like an old fool and I am both old and a fool. I love her in a way I have never experienced before.

She is our pack leader so I must share her with the others. Somehow she understands my heart and makes me feel that I am special. Because I am stone deaf I cannot hear her words, but I know their meaning. I do everything I can to please her. I have even stopped marking in the house because it upset her.

She takes me with her as much as possible. She knows that I am unhappy when left behind. Lately I have begun howling when she leaves without me. Now Ash and Tess howl too. Yesterday we howled in chorus as she walked towards the car. I thought she would be angry but she started laughing and began to howl with us. That made Ash crazy with joy. I’m glad I had a small part in making Ash happy. I still feel bad that I was mean to him when I first moved in. He said what’s done is done. Time to move on and enjoy life. I like Ash.

Earlier this week I was officially declared a Final Refuge dog by Old Dog Haven. It took a little while to sink in. That means I get to stay at Asherpark forever, as long as I live. I won’t be put up for adoption. I will grow old and die in a place I have come to call home.

No more shelter time. No more lonely hours in a cage wondering if someone would ever come for me. I never knew if I was in the shelter because I did something wrong or maybe because no one wanted me. I’m not the prettiest dog.

While I was at at the shelter some of the younger dogs were adopted. I was glad for them but sorry no one considered me. When I left the shelter I was all mixed up. I didn’t know where I was going or who would be my boss. Then a man and lady took me home. I met Ash and Tess.

I didn’t know how to act so I got all aggressive with Ash. I’m sorry I did that. Ash is a good guy and we get along fine now. He likes to have a good time. He’s teaching me how to run the fence line and bark at the goats.

I’m still living a dream at Asherpark. My people seem to really care about me. The lady holds my head close to her and tells me that she loves me. I never knew what love felt like before. It feels like someone always looking out for you, gentle belly rubs and a kiss on my old snout before I go to sleep. I like love.