Category Archives: Pet

I’ve always wondered why I’ve had a penchant for rescue dogs and cats. I think it started with the dog we adopted when I was eight years old and we moved to the country. She was an outdoor dog we had shaved every summer to prevent burrs and we let her into the basement at night but never really had much to do with her.

That summer my sister went off to camp and had a great time, then I was slated to go for a week at what we called Why Camp in the Weeds (of course it was Y Camp in the Woods). The weather turned and it was 40 degrees at night in the summer and rained all day and we had forced hikes.

First, I was sent by my leader to sweep the tent. Our 14 year-old Junior Leader was having sex with a boy from the camp across the lake but I thought he was assaulting her so asked for help. She made my life miserable from that day on.

Then one night I was the one in the cheapest sleeping bag possible, and froze every night except this was the worst. Finally I went to sleep and awoke warm and happy to be there. Then I found out there was a critter in my bag. The gals eased down the zipper in case it was a raccoon or possum and it was a kitten!

My savior! And I was his/hers. It must have been feral but it found me so I’ve helped spay/neuter and make sure ferals are taken care of for years, even in other countries. I always wondered when it started, and that was the day.

Until then I only had my girlfriend Sheila in the cot near me, and the promise of two Peppermint Patties for a total of ten cents once a day, and knowing I had an hour to nap or write a postcard to my family 30 minutes away. That kitten saved us both from frostbite and it was not an accident, it was fate and even though I didn’t know why, I was always grateful and give back. Cheers, Dee

Zoe will be eight years old next month. She’s a smart herding dog who can hunt and kill a mouse in seconds. She behaves indoors, but outside, she knows what she’s being asked/told and chooses not to respond.

This morning a ball came her way and the dog for which it was intended let her get it. I took her off leash and they chased the ball for five minutes. When she got it he was an absolute gentleman and didn’t take it from her, even though she cheated and stayed in the outfield.

When we were ready to leave she stayed behind. Knowing she hates separation from her pack I just walked home, shut the door behind me and began peeling off the layers of hat, scarf, layered jackets, boots and gloves. A few moments later I opened up the door and guess who was sitting on the mat? Zoe.

I silently let her in and we didn’t talk for several hours after that. She knew that if we had a dog house or even a crate (it’s being lent around the neighborhood for new pups) she’d be in it.

Bad dog mom? I don’t know. I knew she’d be right back, she just didn’t want to come when called. So, we’ll work on that. Perhaps she’ll have to do more than wear the jingle bell and wreath collars this year. Antlers may do the trick! Dee

This morning I was making breakfast while looking out on the Preserve and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a father helping a youngster on probably a tricycle or something, there are bushes in the way.

Then I realized it was my neighbor, in his early 60’s, helping the pup they got yesterday learn to jog with him.  I just saw this white floppy tail wagging along.

They lost their dear dog of 14 years last week, and needed another.  Mom has the house decorated for Thanksgiving and I told my husband last night that there’s no way all of those stuffed animals (turkeys et al) at floor level will survive with an eight week-old pup.  A 14 year-old dog, yes, but not this 24 hour newbie with puppy teeth.

After my Chani died it took two years to get another dog.  Granted, I met my husband and we got married and moved first.  I had a spreadsheet of names that we culled to 20 and then to five. Once we met her and spent a few days with her, it was Zoe, Greek for life.

We will have been with Zoe for eight years early 2012 and she has brought joy and a herding mentality to our lives.  We are richer to have known her and will be sad when she is gone.  I don’t want to think about that right now as she is healthy and happy.  I don’t know that we could get another dog in a few days. We’ll see.

To see a 60 year-old man train a pup to jog with him, when they both look like kids, is an inspiration, a renewal of life when one close has departed. They’re called family pets for a reason, they’re part of the family and should be treated as such.  Here’s to family, Dee

While our dog turned seven years old, friends’ dog died over the holidays and they said they’d never get another. Wrong! After years of living with an older, well-trained dog this week they got a pup from a local shelter.

He’d just been neutered and they brought him home the same evening. The next morning I got a call saying “Help!” He’s running around like crazy and has peed over the entire house!

When I arrived he was settled down to a 1/2 hour nap and didn’t even come to the door. They were watching him like hawks and worried that he was running a fever. I told the pup he’d never get so much attention as he did his first day at home!

I remember wanting a pup once in my life so we got Zoe and she’s had some problems but now at age seven (we got her at six weeks, AFTER she’d been spayed, too early for me) she has always been part of our family and is probably sleeping on my pillow as I write this. But puppyhood is an exercise in compassion, control of one’s emotions and making sure the dog is walked 8 times a day! Plus housebreaking and training.

Perhaps I’ll re-create the lentil loaf I made for my first dog, who now has a tree in California with a great view, provided to the City by neighbors and other friends. She had equal parts lentil loaf, rice and kibble with no meat by-products or corn. A wonderful dog that endeared herself to nearly everyone in the community, she is missed to this day. Cheers, Dee