Post by lynndar on Jul 27, 2009 9:03:59 GMT -6
Tootie wandered into our lives in 1995 after a local festival and seemed to be close to a year old. When I saw her, she jumped into my arms and covered my face with kisses. What strange behavior for her, since she was not a cuddly dog! Maybe she knew she was home.
So, we accepted her, and by we, I mean Pokey the Dalmatian, Heidi the dachshund, various cats and her humans.
Because she was black and white spotted like Pokey, she assumed that she, too, was a Dal. After all, she shed like one, had allergies like some do, and she had spots. In her mind, it worked, and she lived her life with her Dallie friends.
By far, I think she was the smartest dog we've ever had. She loved to run, to play, and to catch footballs. All gave her great joy. She was also an expert counter surfer in her day, and when she wanted something, she would stretch that front leg with all her might to get close enough to grab. It was a bad habit, but she was good at it.
Tootie was not easy to own. Hand shy in her early days, she refused to get into the car easily for a couple of years. Trips to the vet or to visit family meant Ken would get on one side of the car to lure her with treats, and I would push/pull from the other.
She had to learn to trust, which usually meant getting out the muzzle when visiting the vet. Still, she never hurt anybody in the 14 years we had her.
She loved four Dalmatians, one weenie dog and various cats. She grieved when her canine companions went to the bridge and left her to go on. Her time with Dutch and Reggie was too short, but they changed her for the better and let her be the leader. Because of that, she was the perfect grandmother for Austin this past year, showing him the ropes, teaching him about life in the big yard.
She is at peace now, playing with her Dals and the weenier, but she is missed and always will be.
So, we accepted her, and by we, I mean Pokey the Dalmatian, Heidi the dachshund, various cats and her humans.
Because she was black and white spotted like Pokey, she assumed that she, too, was a Dal. After all, she shed like one, had allergies like some do, and she had spots. In her mind, it worked, and she lived her life with her Dallie friends.
By far, I think she was the smartest dog we've ever had. She loved to run, to play, and to catch footballs. All gave her great joy. She was also an expert counter surfer in her day, and when she wanted something, she would stretch that front leg with all her might to get close enough to grab. It was a bad habit, but she was good at it.
Tootie was not easy to own. Hand shy in her early days, she refused to get into the car easily for a couple of years. Trips to the vet or to visit family meant Ken would get on one side of the car to lure her with treats, and I would push/pull from the other.
She had to learn to trust, which usually meant getting out the muzzle when visiting the vet. Still, she never hurt anybody in the 14 years we had her.
She loved four Dalmatians, one weenie dog and various cats. She grieved when her canine companions went to the bridge and left her to go on. Her time with Dutch and Reggie was too short, but they changed her for the better and let her be the leader. Because of that, she was the perfect grandmother for Austin this past year, showing him the ropes, teaching him about life in the big yard.
She is at peace now, playing with her Dals and the weenier, but she is missed and always will be.
