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Bridget is the only dog child I ever raised from a puppy, and after nine years she's still my most faithful, devoted companion. She is a burly Chow/lab and the unchallenged Alpha Dog and house manager.
Over the past few years, after helping approximately fifteen strays find loving homes, I've ended up with six furry kids total. It's a houseful!
Each has a sad story of abandonment; but each now has Love & Happiness and a responsible, loving home.....
The zany cast of characters are individually so unique and colorful in their own ways, I decided to write a book about our adventures: "And Now There Are Five - DOGS AND OTHER PEOPLE"
..Actually, there are six. Little Oscar the Chihuahua mysteriously appeared at my doorstep as I was finishing the book, so he became a "surprise" last chapter. He decided to adopt us.
Josie Wales was named after the movie. He's 12 pounds of Bichon/Terrier and overdosed canine testosterone: He struts around the house, attempting to push the much larger others around; marking his territory with yellow jet streams (usually my clothes hanging on the doorknob) and acting like Yosemite Sam. But he's so beautiful!
Nikki is getting old now. The Lab/sheperd mix must be up to 165 lbs now as she eats everything in sight. She is lazy and lethargic, but very adept at nimbly darting across a room to vacuum up treats left by the others. And anytime a sandwich or roll or another tasty treat is put down momentarily...Gulp! It disappears mysteriously!!!
But she is the most mild-mannered of the group. She does NOT apprciate the way Oscar becomes her personal dog enema tube, always sniffing there. Nikki "hoots" in annoyance.
Tara is the classic Tramp. She was found literally dodging cars on Hemet's main thoroughfare and most heavily trafficked street, but we were able to convince her irresponsible owner to let us have her. A beautiful part Chow (and sheperd? Not sure) she shows the most love, and kisses the longest...in fact, she won't quit it!
Yes, all but two of our dogs like to give doggy kisses. And not just little licks; they will "go deep" if allowed to.
Bridget will literally "blow" a kiss across the room on command; however, it's just because she's both obedient and too lazy to get up and come to me directly, so she actually "throws" a smooch!
Chows have such humanlike facial mannerisms, especially with the eyebrows. And their memories are so sharp; they are so intelligent. Sometimes they hold a grudge for days.
Often times, they will pick up another's food dish in their jaws and put it in another room, as if to hide it.
Lilly is still too meek and humble. I found her abandoned in a forest area, where she was licking the ground for water. She was starving and appeared to have been abused.
She was less than six months old; I thought she was a Lab but she's mainly a Rhodesian Ridgeback, with some lab mixed in. she has become so loving and friendly...she underwent three surgeries successfully so I've babied her. We sleep together, head to head, sharing the same pillow in bed. She cuddles just like an infant.
However, she cannot be left alone. At first, she dug up two entire rooms' carpeting (ruined!); chewed the TV remote, my prescription sunglasses, various shoes, table legs, and the entire door panel lining and seat belts, including the casing holder, in my car. But I can't get mad at her. I raised my voice only once to her, and she pouted with her paws over her ears and acted like she was crying!
As stated earlier, Oscar came last. He will NOT back away from anyone, despite being only two pounds. We have a fenced yard, and many of our Hispanic neighbors come just to visit and pet Oscar in my yard. I surmise Mexican people think highly of Chihuahuas. They speak to him in Spanish, most of which I don't understand.
Oscar doesn't realize he's a dog. The other dogs think they are people, but think Oscar is a mouse, or some other rodent, but they really enjoy playing with him. He rivals Josie as a champion leg lifter, usually squirting on my shoes.
People naturally think me crazy when I tell them my dogs can talk. I'm not always sure what they say, but I usually know exactly what they mean. They verbalize their thinking and use gestures to convey meaning. One of our mobile home's lower cupboards is where dog biscuits are kept.
On the upper level cupboards are cookies. My cookies.
Each morning upon arising, there will be one, two, three or more dogs waiting at the cupboard. Tara literally knocks, pawing at the door. Bridget points and barks at it. Lilly takes the handle with her mouth. All eventually get their morning treat. They also enjoy stealing biscuits from the others when they aren't looking.
Bridget often gets a taste for cookies. She has me trained well. She will sit facing the upper cupboard, pointing and barking. Obviously, it means "I demand a cookie!"
The Love and Joy in our household is immense. It's difficult and tedious at times, but worth every second of it.
"The One, absolute unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog." -Senator Graham Vest (1870)
*Items with my doggy family's photos may be viewed and/or purchased by clicking on the link below:
Come See Our Doggy Family Store with products and book-related items at Cafe Press!
Clockwise, from bottom left: Nikki, 10; Lilly, 10 mos.; Bryan, ageless; Josie Wales, 2; Bridget, 9; and Tara, looking over her shoulder, about 3 (Photo by Nan Peloza) Not pictured: Oscar the Chihuahua
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