Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine - Yes: Our Hearts Will Be Broken

old dogs and children and watermelon wine, a photo by monkeyc.net on Flickr.

(Song was by Tom T. Hall)

The other day, my writer friend posted on Facebook that her dog will not make it. What is there to say? Nothing.

I have written about dogs for so many years - a little over thirty years of published writing and editing and publicity and promotion - and still the toughest part about being a dog fancier is that their lives are so short.

There are two pieces of old written wisdom I often give to people. One is by Rudyard Kipling, "When You Give Your Heart To A Dog" (it will be broken) and the other is a piece about "The Rainbow Bridge" where it is believed your dog will be waiting for you when you reach Heaven.

When you read my Yonge Street Texan blog, you can see my stepson died a few weeks ago. So, Hubby and I have been dealing very much with this. We also attended a visitation and a funeral for two friends' fathers.

I think all of them had dogs waiting for them. . . . And I think they had loved ones there waiting for them. But that is another blog.

This one is about how we cope when we lose our dogs. It hurts us so very much that some thing so precious who asks nothing of us but a pat, a meal, a kind word, a toy would leave us.

I did not have a dog as a child. My first dog was a Boxer named Red who only made it to six. He was my benchmark for how obedient a dog can be. Red was a wonderful learner. He was handsome reddish brown with beautiful white markings. He was with me when I weathered the second death of a baby. Red would sit beside Carrie Jane and he knew not to lick her because her skin was so fragile. He also knew to come and get me if she was crying or he thought anything was wrong. At age six, Red was diagnosed with cancer and the vet put him down. I stayed with him though my heart was breaking. It was very peaceful - for him. Horrible, horrible cancer.

I went a long time without a dog and then married an international dog show judge. So, I pretty much had to have a dog! We wanted a "new" breed for me and we looked at Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers and Shih Tzu.

Shih Tzu it was and I acquired my first and was hoping to show him. I was so fortunate to have a wonderful person, the late Garrett Lambert, to take him under his wing and show him for me. It was not long before we realized Taury's back leg had a double-jointed hock. So, now he was a pet. Odd to tell you that Taury also died at age six. When I called him to come in with his old Lhasa pal, BoBo, I found him lifeless on the back step to the garden.

Because I had wanted to show and breed Shih Tzu, I approached Wenrick Kennels in Azilda, near Sudbury, Ontario. They leased me a wonderful girl named Miss Bobbin. Lease a dog? Yes, that seems funny to someone not actively breeding or showing purebreds, but yes, I leased Miss Bobbin - a Black and White little gal who had a lot of character and was used to having litters. She had that first litter before we got home from work and was just having the last when we walked in. You don't find many dogs like that!

Beginners Luck on that litter: 2 gold and whites and 2 black and whites! Wenrick Kennel let me lease her for a second litter. I can keep in touch with them on Facebook today . . . thanks to Mark Zuckerberg!!

Since this blog is really about dogs dying, I should tell you that my beloved Fanny (from that first litter) died under the Christmas tree before I got home from work. (She was looking at the gifts including a toy for her that made a noise even wrapped.) She was a truly wonderful companion dog and produced very nice puppies..

When I came to Texas, I brought my last two homebred Shih Tzu - Sadie and Harry. They were half brother and sister and their mother was Fanny.

Hubby let them out one morning first thing and clicked the kitchen gates when they came back in. He went back to shave and all the stuff men do first thing. When he came back, Sadie was lying on the kitchen floor, lifeless and Harry was standing right by her.

Our minister at the time, David Chancellor, came over and dug Sadie a grave at the back of our yard on a rainy and muddy morning. I always thought that was a very special thing for that man to do.

Harry - Ayr of Importance - was the last. He began to have seizures, something I had not seen in dogs before in dogs. The Vet was not sure how he would do and warned us the medicine might not help.

On a Saturday morning, Harry began seizing and he was literally rolling across the carpet. I had never seen this before. It was frightening and I could not even imagine how this beloved and very intelligent dog was feeling as this was happening.

We tightly bundled Harry in a blanket and he lay on my lap in the back seat as Hubby tried to navigate us out of our subdivision during a major garage sale morning.

So, that was it! That was the end of being hurt my these precious beings. Their lives were short (compared to a human's) and I said that was enough.

As they say on the infomercials - BUT WAIT!

Yes, after five weeks, we found a wonderful Lhasa Apso breeder in the next town and that was when Buddy entered our lives. He was 10 months old and he will be nine this month. He is a wonderful companion. I think that is why we come back for another round because dogs ask so little and give so much. Their love for us is immeasurable. . . .

I wondered if my friend could write about her Jasmine. She did. Yes, she wrote one of her best columns ever.

When you give your heart to a dog, it will be broken.

Photographing Your Dog Is Just A Part Of Enjoying Your Dog

This is Buddy, our Lhasa Apso who is almost 9 years old. Buddy is not my first Lhasa. Had two Lhasa named Garbo. They were both golden shades. Garbo I was never shown and spent her time at home before I even knew her. She was gentle and quiet. Garbo II was a real "caution" as Grandma would have said. I took her to training school at Humber College in Toronto. The day I acquired my first bifocals, she had me down on the floor several times as we navigated the highway-style orange pylons. Garbo II won "Most Improved" in that class! ("Most Improved" is of course totally relevant to how bad the dog behaved at the beginning, isn't it?) Garbo lived to eat, as did most of my Lhasa. She made excellent money for her part in a dog food commercial. When we moved to Port Hope, the man who delivered heating oil to our home was happy to take Garbo II. . The most memorable Lhasa we had in Toronto was Bobo - black with silver markings - and you have read about him before. He is the one who sent a thunderous message back down to us the night he died to let us know he had arrived at the Rainbow Bridge.

My main breed was Shih Tzu and I owned, bred and showed Shih Tzu for 25 years. I brought my last two homebred Shih Tzu, Sadie and Harry, with me to Texas.

They lived the good life here . . . no shows, just love and fun. Sadie went first (very quietly one morning) and our minister came over on a rainy day to bury her at the back of our yard. We had to rinse his loafers under the tap - it was that muddy. I have always thought that was a very nice thing for that man to do. Special.

Harry started having seizures which I had never seen in dogs before. It is a very ugly sight. Harry had been my best effort at actually showing dogs. He was smart as well as attractive. When he went to Humber College, he got it all right and the instructor wondered if he might even be just taking the instruction from her rather than waiting for mine. 

The saddest part of owning dogs (I know they own us, we do not own them) is when they die. 

There is a belief that our dogs will be waiting for us at The Rainbow Bridge and when we reach Heaven, they will scamper off with us. It is a nice thought. 

Of course, Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem about how when we give our heart to a dog, it will be broken. And it will indeed.

One Saturday morning, Harry took a massive seizure and was literally rolling across the floor. We bundled him tightly in a blanket and Hubby put him on my lap as I sat in the back seat of the car. That was the Saturday our neighborhood was having garage sales on every street at probably 40% of the houses. It was the longest drive ever, or it certainly seemed it. He had to be put down that day. 

So, it seemed like a good idea since we had also lost Hubby's two cats, that we should give up on having pets. And we did -- for five weeks. 

It was a little too quiet.

There were two ads in the paper that day, one for a Boxer and one for Lhasas. I had owned a Boxer way back and it too is a great breed. The Lhasa is smaller and I was used to what they might or might not do. So, I phoned the Lhasa ad first. Probably that the kennel was on Martha Street in the next town was the omen that sent me over there. 

He was older . . . 10 months and stood back just eyeing me. Mr. Lucas accommodated me by bringing out a table to set the dogs on. First he placed a puppy on the table and I went over it, trying to remember everything I had ever learned. I learned a long time ago that if a puppy does not catch your eye with that little something extra, that puppy is not for you. 

I asked Mr. Lucas if the older dog was available. He said yes and he was 10 months old. He placed him on the table and this dog with no name, a little outsize (Texas-size, right?) gave me a very special look. I went over him very carefully and he was very nicely put together. He might have been too large to show, but I had no intention of showing him. 

We met his mother and some of her offspring and the place was jumping like a great breeding kennel does. 

I looked through an album and saw what these folks had been doing with Lhasa. They knew Lhasa!

It took both Hubby and Mr. Lucas to get the little fellow to the crate that I had placed on the car's back seat. He was a little nervous and it was lightly raining. 

We drove back home, stopping at Wal-Mart for some toys and food and then brought him home. We also thought it would be good to give him a name and as simple as that, he became Buddy. (At that time, the Clintons had a dog named Buddy.)

It took Buddy two days and nights to settle in but he certainly did. 

Today, Buddy took that familiar ride - round the loop - to Lucky Puppy where he always loves to visit. He gets a tidy trim and a bandana and NOW he even has a ramp so Hubby doesn't have to navigate the steps. He's happy to go at 10 in the morning and happy to leave at 4 in the afternoon. Buddy loves routine. (Lucky for humans, most dogs like routine.)

So, when Buddy has been freshly groomed and is wearing that bandana - that is a great time to get the camera. Just keep snapping. As you can see, today's shots are pretty much alike because I just keep snapping and do any editing later. Hubby was holding him and he was happy when I was finished. 

I have a friend in Western Canada who is a professional dog photographer and she will read this and tell me what she thinks. Since Buddy doesn't go to shows, I don't have the privilege of people like her who can get just the right pose. I believe the secret to getting a great shot of your dog is to keep snapping. As you can see, today's shots are very similar but you can crop them and use them however you want. 

I enjoy posting photos of Buddy on Facebook and I have cropped (scrapbooked) many. Dogs are great subjects.

Enjoy your dog, love your dog and yes, photograph your dog. They are only here for a little while and they are for us to enjoy. Dogs are very easy to love because they are not judgmental and never tell you that you look fat in that outfit. And yes, Buddy plays - it is only fair to tell you that he has a toy box on wheels under the coffee table. He loves to eat ice cream and cheese sticks and yes, Buddy is spoiled. We know that! 

Time to Watch Westminster Dog Show on TV!

Westminster Dog Show, a photo by nagarik on Flickr.

Tonight (Monday), tune in USA Channel at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 p.m. Central to watch the Group Judging live from The Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show live. After one hour, you will have to switch to CNBC for the balance (two hours). Tonight, there will be Group judging of Hounds, Toys, Non-Sporting and Herding breeds.
Tomorrow, tune in to USA Network at the same time for the balance of the Groups ( Sporting, Working and Terrier) and Best In Show.

What Is The Dog Judge Looking For?

WhippetSpecialty09 072, a photo by ibizaphotoz on Flickr.

There is a standard set out for each breed of purebred dog and the Dog Show Judge is looking for the dog in his ring at THIS show that comes closest to conforming to the standard for that breed.

There is a Book of Standards and a judge may refer to it at any time to refresh his memory of a certain breed. Often it may been seen on the table in the ring. This is particularly handy for a judge at an International Show where there may be a few breeds he may have not seen very often.

In addition to the actual standard for that breed, a judge is looking to see how the dog is gaiting (that he is not limping, for instance), and he will notice how comfortable each dog is while he is being presented. (A fine dog can have an off day, just like people.)

It is good for the handler of the dog to pay attention to what the judge asks him to do. In other words, if the judge requests a straight down and back and the handler takes him in a triangle formation, that is not so good.

No matter what breeds the judge himself has owned, he should be looking for the dog in his ring that conforms closest to the standard for his own breed. He is also noticing how happy that dog is to be in the ring and taking a look at his personality.

A lot of times a person who has not been to a lot of dog shows will think that a dog that looked a lot like his own dog at home should have won. Well, there might have been something the judge noticed when he went over the dog that you would not know about. Perhaps there was not enough body under all that coat. Perhaps the dog was a little large (or small) when compared to the standard.

Judging dogs has nothing - (or should not have) to do with whether that judge would himself care to own that breed.

In fact, people pick certain breeds to fit their personalities and their surroundings. Our past experiences with certain breeds tends to bring us back to them.

The picture above is from a Whippet Specialty, which means all the dogs were Whippets. A Whippet is a dog that makes a great family pet but he is a lot like a Greyhound. He likes to run and probably should have a large yard, but I have been told many times that the Whippet is a super family pet who enjoys sitting beside his master on the sofa.

We thought seriously about this breed - and I would have been thinner a long time ago had I chosen them instead of the Shih Tzu I owned, bred and showed for 25 years. Yes, it would have been more hectic keeping up with them!

When considering a breed yourself, do go to the websites for the American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club. By the way, if a dog being purebred with papers is not an important consideration for you, take a look at your local animal shelter or humane society. Many dogs there are purebred but everyone of them needs a home.

www.akc.org

www.ckc.org.

Taking Care When Purchasing A Dog

Shih Tzu Puppies, a photo by sponytales2000 on Flickr.

The two Shih Tzu puppies shown in this picture are AKC (American Kennel Club) registered.

I owned, bred and showed Shih Tzu myself for 25 years and all of them were registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). One of their mandates is responsible dog ownership.

Where we live in East Texas, there are often people selling litters of puppies by the roadside or near shopping centers. That is very discouraging to me and apparently was abhorrent also to one of our new City Council members. She has presented a bill to have this practice stopped.

You can tell a lot about a person by the way he treats animals. Some of us may be over-protective, you can never overdo being good at what you are doing. I love our dog and I have certain rules and procedures to help keep him safe and healthy. That is why you will notice two or three places in our house with leads hanging. . . and that is just what you see. They are easy to grab and affix to his collar when the doorbell rings.

From the viewpoint of the breeder of purebred dogs, let me tell you a story. (I know, we older folks always have a story. BUT you can learn from real events better than just being told not to do something.)

The Shih Tzu breed is a dog I like to see in an adult home. It is small and its eyes are quite vulnerable. I personally prefer some other breeds - particularly Retrievers (Labradors, for example) for families with children. The youngest child in a home where I placed a Shih Tzu was twelve, and he was a mature twelve.

One day, we drove into our driveway in Thornhill, Ontario to a family waiting to purchase a dog. Well, most breeders are not like storefront shops and it is a good idea to phone ahead.

I will give you the shortest version I can give you about this family.

Before showing them either of the puppies I had available, I asked if they had had a dog and here is what they told me:

They had a dog which they tethered to the family car parked in the driveway after coming back from a morning walk. Then they told me they had run over the dog with the car (and killed it) when they backed out to go to work.

I was disturbed, to put it mildly but I came up with a pretty good solution - probably for everyone.

I told them I did not have a dog to go right now, but if they would go to the local animal shelter, they had lots of dogs.

The part I did not tell them was that Animal Shelters, The Humane Society or whatever it is called in your city, have nice forms for prospective owners to complete. It includes lots of questions which would reveal that these people were NOT responsible pet owners.

A dog purchased from someone who sets up a couple of exercise pens by the roadside boils down to an impulse purchase. A dog is a member of your family. A dog deserves to have a suitable family who will love him and take good care of him. (Some people selling dogs in this fashion would be running what is referred to as a Puppy Mill. When purchasing a dog being offered as purebred, ask for regisistration papers.)

The people at your local shelter can help you match a dog to your family. Many dogs are being dropped off these days and shelters have more dogs than there are people to "adopt" them. The number of dogs who had to be put down in our area last year is staggering, so you could be saving a dog's life in addition to enhancing your own.

If you feel you would like a purebred dog, check the American Kennel Club website to see the traits of various breeds and find one that matches your lifestyle. (You may surprised to see how many purebred dogs are in the shelters as well as purchasing from a breeder if you do not want to show or breed.)

www.akc.org

If You Lose Your Dog

Cocker Spaniel waiting, a photo by sdm_hall on Flickr.

Yesterday, a Facebook friend shared a post from a teen who had lost her dog. I gave a few ideas; then thought it would be a fine topic to blog.

First of all, please ensure your dog wears a collar with his (or her) rabies tag and a disc with your phone number. (The rabies tag can be tracked in most areas.) These days, many dogs have microchips so they can be identified more easily.

When you first realize your dog is missing, and you have called him and checked any usual spots, here are some things you can do.

Get in your car and if possible, take someone else with you as well as your other dog if you have one. (Make sure the other dog is wearing a collar and lead and fasten him by his lead to the seatbelt in the back seat. (We lock all windows as Buddy seems to be able to place his paw on the switch and open one.)

If you have a bicycle and another person, have them go beside or behind you. Also, it would be good to take a snapshot with you so you could ask walkers if they have seen your dog.

Drive very slowly through your neighborhood and be ready with an additional lead and possibly some treats.

We live in a sub-division where there is a small space between the curb and the asphalt of the road. After "Buddy" had bolted out the front door a few times, we discovered that in fact he always took the path between the road and the curb. It is only about 18 inches wide, but he would follow it around. Sometimes he would head up a driveway or path to someone's front door.

By the way, Buddy is always wearing a collar and we keep a lead by the front door and by the back door.

Of course, no matter how frustrated you are, talk sweetly to your dog and offer him treats.

If these first tries fail, and you have done your ride around the neighborhood, make posters to put up around the neighbourhood; place an ad in your newspaper which can go up immediately online; announce it via e-mail and Facebook and also call your local animal shelter. Telephone your neighbors.

I hope you don't need these tips but if you do, hope they help you get Fido, Fifi or Rover back.

So, we have been lucky because now that he is nearly 8, we have figured out Buddy's pattern.

In our area, it is very hot these days, so some residents might take a dog inside where it is air-conditioned. So, after looking from your car, and calling his name, it would probably be good to do a door-to-door search, actually knocking on doors.

I hope if you are reading this and have additional ideas, you will post them in the comments section.

Ready For Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show?

USA/
Originally uploaded by peximo

Be in front of your TV on Monday, Feburary 14 and Tuesday, February 15th to watch, starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 p.m. Central.

Monday: USA Channel for first hour, then switch to CNBC for next two hours.

Tuesday, February 15: USA Channel for total three hours.

Monday: Groups judged will be Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding.

Tuesday: Groups judged will be Sporting, Working and Terrier. Then Best In Show will be judged.

(Dog pictured in a Shih Tzu who is in the Toy Group.)