Asher

When The Barking Stopped

by  • 
Ash

Ash

I’m not sure exactly what turned our barks silent. Maybe it was the constant stress of Tess wanting to kill Shiloh. Maybe it was because Mom was so disappointed how things turned out. Or maybe there just wasn’t a lot of fun stuff to bark about for a while.

Me and mom knew we’d start barking again, but we never imagined it would take five months to break the silence.

Later I will bark about the changes at Asherpark and how we’ve come to accept the new normal. But for now I want to tell you about the Codie rose.

If you’ve read my old barks you know Codie was the most important dog in my life. She raised me and taught me manners. She eventually grew to like me and we used to take walks and play together until she got too old.

Codie was born in June 1993. She died in July 2009. In 2008 mom planted a rose bush in the backyard. The soil isn’t good and the bush has to work real hard to survive.

Codie

Codie

The first year the bush put out a few roses. They were the most beautiful coral color and they bloomed just in time for Codie’s fifteenth birthday.

The next year we were getting ready to celebrate Codie’s sixteenth birthday when she took sick. The roses bloomed on her birthday but we hardly noticed. We knew we were going to lose Codie.

Then came the most awful day of my life when we had to say goodbye to Codie. Me and mom cried a bucket of tears and my heart ached like it was gonna explode.

As the weeks passed without our beloved Codie, I longed to feel Codie near me again. One evening we were moping in the backyard when I went to pee on some plants. As I lifted my leg I caught a glimpse of something bright. That’s when I saw it – Codie’s rose.

“Mom!” I barked. “Codie’s back, I mean her rose is back.”

Mom came running and we both looked real close at the bush. Sure enough, there was one big beautiful rose and a whole bunch of little buds. The bush was blooming again when normally there wouldn’t be new flowers.

Now this may sound silly to you if you don’t believe in signs, but I knew in my heart the fresh rose was a sign from Codie.

Just before she died Codie told me she would always be with me. Even though she wouldn’t be wearing fur and I couldn’t touch her, Codie told me I would feel her presence when she was close.

Looking at her rose gave me goose bumps. I cried tears of joy and took off running around the yard barking like a fool.

After I calmed down mom came and got me. She told me we had to honor Codie’s life by doing something to help mutts that never had a good life.

“Codie will be our guide, Ash,” mom said. “We will listen with our hearts and she will send us the dogs who most need our care.”

I thought that sounded like a great plan. I hoped Codie would send me somebody soon ’cause I was so doggone lonely without her.

Soon after we saw the sign of the rose, Codie sent me Tess for a playmate. That was five years ago. Tess was our first rescue dog and she’s become my best pal.

This morning Codie’s rose came back, only this time there are five amazing flowers…..one for each year Codie has been gone and one for each of us five mutts at Asherpark. Sweet!

 

Rose

 

Jack

Time Moves On

by  • 
Jack

Jack

I arrived at Asherpark in January 2010 straight from the joint,  an aging ex-con suddenly given a second chance at life thanks to Old Dog Haven.

My new family chose me because they thought with my dark and brooding looks, no one else would want me.

If you’ve read the early barks about me, you know I was not the easiest house guest. When I arrived I picked a fight with Ash and pissed all over the house.

Mom bought a black light to see where I had marked. She practically screamed when she saw the walls and furniture glowed like a crime scene.

Over time me and Ash became pals. His calm spirit helped me heal. He showed me that riding in the car was fun and almost always resulted in a special treat.

Soon I had my own sponsors at Old Dog Haven. A really nice lady named Liz started writing to me and next thing I knew I had a girlfriend.

Liz came to visit me a couple of times and sent me cards and treats. I never did understand what she saw in me, but I was grateful for the attention.

Mom tried taking me on hikes with Ash, but it was too scary out in the woods. I felt safe at Asherpark and really didn’t enjoy adventures away from home.

Ever since I came to Asherpark, people have asked, “What kind of dog is Jack? How old is Jack?”

Truth be I don’t know the answer to either of those questions. I like to think I might be part Akita because that sounds sort of regal. But most likely I’m some junk yard dog, the result of too many casual encounters.

As for my age, I can only say I have grown old at Asherpark. After four long and wonderful years surrounded by love, pack mates, and all the food I could ever want, I am reaching the end of  this life.

I am deaf, nearly blind, and now my body is failing me. My poops come out with no warning. Worst of all I can no longer walk a straight line. My rear end has become so weak I list and sag and sometimes collapse.

Just when I think I have reached my end, I suddenly feel better. I prance for my food and bang mom with my big head to make her hurry up.

Last night me and mom had a long talk. Ash and Shiloh sat close by so they could hear everything.

Mom told me that when my time comes to leave this world, I will be surrounded by my pack. The vet will make sure that I am not in any pain. I can have a last meal of anything I want. Then while people and mutts say good bye to me my eyes will close.

For the briefest moment everything will be dark. Then I will see a bright light. My spirit will leave my old worn out body behind. I won’t be sad or crippled anymore.

While I was thinking about this Ash piped up. “Where will Jack’s spirit go?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” mom said. “Jack has a pure and kind heart. He will find others like him on his next journey. He may even find Codie and Nellie.”

With that Ash began to cry.

“If Jack gets to see Codie, I want to go with him!” Ash whispered.

“I know, Ash,” mom said. “I want to see Codie too, but it’s not our time yet.”

All this talk about my journey made me very sleepy. I struggled to my feet and walked slowly to my place in the bedroom. I have my own bed and a special blanket. I will sleep the sleep of a very old dog tonight.

Jack

Jack

 

 

 

Tess

What’s Next?

by  • 
Tess

Tess

When I don’t get my way, I tend to sulk. Mom says I have the most expressive face of all us dogs and I use it to my advantage.

I can’t remember what had me looking so unhappy in this picture, but I did everything short of weeping in my hanky to impress upon everyone how miserable I was at the moment.

I know at times my selfish behavior makes mom plenty upset. I am selfish when it comes to attention. But in other ways I am the best dog a person could ever have.

You know those old expressions like two sides to every coin and double edged sword. That’s me. Just like my harlequin face, my nature is split right down the middle. My biggest weaknesses are also my greatest strengths.

I have been known to pick a fight with other dogs when they were disrespectful to me. Sometimes people who don’t now me are scared of my big bark.

On the other hand I am totally devoted to my people and my pack. When a guest dog attacked Jack, I dove right in and saved Jack. When another guest dog got too close to the alpacas, I got in between and growled him back.

Mom says I would die to save my people. It’s true. In some ways I am totally fearless. If I feel my people are in danger I will fight to the death. Mom is never afraid to be alone in our house. She knows I would let her know if there was trouble.

When I’m the only dog I do anything people ask of me. I snuggle up close and lie real still if the people want to watch TV or read the newspaper.

Want to go for a walk? I’m your girl. I have good leash manners and am happy to sniff wherever the people take me.

If you hand me a treat you will never feel my lips or teeth as I gently take it from your fingers. I’m not like Ash who tries to swallow the hand that feeds him.

So why am I telling you this? It’s because I’ve decided it’s time for me to find a new home.

I’ve lived at Asherpark for more than four years. I’ve learned how to play, and trust, and mind my manners. I’ve had romps with Ash and long walks in the woods. I love my life at Asherpark, but I’m ready to have my own person.

Mom and I have talked it over and she agrees. I would be happiest as the only dog in a house with no other pets. I want to be devoted to people who just pay attention to me.

I don’t want to have to be nice to the throw away dogs mom drags home. I don’t want to share the couch with other dogs. I don’t want to be one of several dogs. I want to be the only dog.

If I can find the right person who will love me and treat me nice, I would devote the rest of my life to making that person happy.

All I want is a chance to be the only one. In exchange I will love my new people with everything in me. I might be a princess, but I’m also the most loyal, fearless, devoted dog you will ever meet.

Tess

Tess