Uncategorized

On Memorial Day

by  • 

Cody

What if somebody took you home when you were a puppy and then decided they didn’t like you? What if they put you in the backyard and didn’t pay any attention to you? What if you cried and cried, but nobody came?

Then suppose your people had a baby and decided they couldn’t keep you. So you were turned in to the local shelter with a bad rap sheet. It said you dug holes in the yard and barked all the time and were impossible to manage.

When people came to see you they read your rap sheet and were afraid to take a chance on you. You knew if nobody picked you the vet would take you to a room and your life would be over.

Things were looking pretty grim for my pal Cody until someone special came to the shelter. A disabled army veteran, she was in search of a youngster to train as a service dog. She had been a veterinary technician in the army. She was Cody’s last hope. Despite his bad rap sheet, his separation anxiety and his unruly behavior, she took a chance on him.

Their path together was not easy. Cody destroyed lots of stuff and nearly killed himself trying to get to her when she was in the hospital. But through patience, commitment and their love for each other, Cody became a certified service dog. Cody was trained by his person and then tested to prove he met all the service dog requirements.

Cody and his Person

I’m proud to know Cody. Like Jack, he lost his first home and almost lost his life. Like Jack, he’ll never completely forget the dark times and will always be grateful for the good times. Maybe we should all live like that. Think about it. Gotta run.

Asher

My Adventures

by  • 

Asher

Mom says I’m finally growing up. I’m not sure I want to. She’s not sure she wants me to either. She wants me to be well behaved, but she loves my goofy side a lot.

When I was still a baby my litter mates did everything in a group. Mom said it looked like a pile of puppies with feet. They went everywhere together, except for me. I started exploring as soon as I could walk. First the closet at my birth home, later anywhere I could get to.

When we lived in the city mom spent hours trying to keep me inside the fenced yard. I never tried to dig my way out but I would squeeze under if I could. The place kinda looked like a junkyard with all the stakes pounded along the fence line – just for me, she used to tell me.

When we moved to the country I was a year old. I was crazy for adventure. There were new smells everywhere. I spent days sniffing the fence line looking for a way out. It didn’t take me long at our new place to find all the weak spots in the fence.

Once in a while she caught me half way under the fence or climbing over a low spot, but usually she found me missing when she called for me. Oh, she tried her best. She made me report about every five minutes. Ha! Once I found a weak spot I could be gone in a flash.

We don’t live near any busy roads, so she isn’t worried about me and cars. But we do live near coyotes. And there’s a lynx out there somewhere, not to mention the neighbors goats. One time she kept calling me, but I wouldn’t tell her where I was. So she started looking for me across the ravine. She spotted me in with the goats next door.

I pretended like I couldn’t jump over the fence, so the neighbor was going to open the gate for me. But mom said if I got myself in there I could certainly get myself out. Mom was getting pretty steamed at me looking at her from the wrong side of the fence, so I decided I’d better get going. I said see ya to the goats and cleared the fence with at least a foot to spare.

The neighbor lady gasped. She didn’t think I could do it. Mom wasn’t laughing, so I knew I’d pushed my luck. Funny thing is mom always says you can’t scold a dog for coming when called. Besides I knew if I washed her face she’d get over it. She was just worried that something bad would happen to me.

After an adventure I usually behave myself for a while. It’s different now that I have Tess. She’s my pal and I’m happy to hang with her. Mom says I’m like some old married guy.

But once in a while I can’t help myself. I get that urge to see the world. I got out yesterday and had a fine time. But instead of mom having to hunt me down, I just waited at the front gate for her to let me back in. I guess I am growing up. Oh well, gotta run.

Jack

Into My Own

by  • 

Jack

With each day my confidence grows. Though my countenance suggests otherwise, I am in fact deeply content with my life at Asherpark. My Lady, as I call her, has become the focus of my existence. The youngsters call her mom. I prefer to call her My Lady, since she did not raise me from a pup.

She often takes me with her in the car because I behave myself. I don’t bark at dogs on the street and will ride for hours without complaint. Ash is good in the car too, but he gets restless after a time. Tess is impossible, constantly seeking attention and insisting on the front seat.

Last Saturday My Lady drove to town and took me with her. She was in need of a massage, having wrestled with the heavy lawnmower and us dogs the past week. Upon arriving at our destination, I was invited to accompany her. I was profoundly honored. While the therapist pulled and prodded her aching muscles, I lay quietly on the floor on my blanket. I didn’t make a sound. I tried to stay awake lest I snore and annoy her.

Afterwards she hugged me and told me she was very proud of me, that I was a wonderful dog and she loved me with all her heart. I felt a tear in the corner of my eye. Did she know how much her words meant to me?  I trembled with joy. I didn’t know what to say, so I very gently licked the tip of her nose. Whenever I do that she laughs and says to me, “Jack, you kissed me!”

When we got home she told everyone what I had done. Ash was really happy for me. He said it showed how much I was trusted and that I should feel proud. Tess pouted a little because she’d never been invited into an office, but she was glad I was happy. We all had a treat and took our toilet outside. I lay down for a nap and fell fast asleep. Ash said I must have been dreaming because I made happy little snortle sounds in my sleep. It wasn’t just a dream. It’s a dream come true.