I looked out of the window today and saw something that warmed my heart.
We’ve been here a year and fit in because we’ve got a dog, so naturally we get talking to people and fussing their pets on a regular bass. Maggie is used to ‘sharing me’, but sometimes gets the hump, though I think it’s a ploy on her part to get more fuss!
Photo April 2015
Anyway, one of the first elderly ladies we met had a little dog I always referred to as the Teddy Bear Dog, as he had a cute teddy bear face and ears to match. At 14, he was blind and ploddy, but still liked to go for his walks every day.
We didn’t see her for a while and this was due to some construction work being done on a property at the end of our estate and vehicles blocking the access path, so she changed her route. It was lovely to see them both again a few weeks ago, and she seemed quite pleased that we had missed seeing her.
The day before yesterday we were walking Maggie and saw her with a different dog.
I didn’t like to ask the inevitable question, but she came over and introduced us to Pippa, a young black cock-a-poo.
Image from google.
She’d lost her other dog at the beginning of the month and hadn’t intended getting another one. That was until she had a phone call from a friend asking if she could help her out by taking a dog that had been returned to her by owners who had ‘changed their mind’ as she already had the maximum of two allowed in her apartment block.
Pippa is a little shy of other dogs and people at the moment, but as is our way, we kept Maggie back as we took it in turns to allow the dog to come to us out of curiosity. She is a gorgeous little thing, and already knows who her Mummy is, hiding between her legs when she felt a little overwhelmed by us.
She’s only had her a fortnight, but already Pippa has lots of toys and two beds, gets taken out for regular walks, and we know will be loved to pieces. She has found a good home with this lady, and filled a gap left by her other dog, although Pippa has already made a place in her heart.
I’ve just seen them, Pippa wearing another little jacket to keep out the cold, and walking happily alongside her new Mum. Like I said, it warmed my heart.
I’ve written lots of posts about dogs and with Christmas coming up, a lot of people may be thinking of getting a puppy for the wife/kids/grandchildren etc.
Not wishing to preach, but I wrote this a few years ago and reblogged it in 2016, then did a follow up last year.
Puppies (and kittens) are all cute and lovable. But they grow up and don’t come housetrained or obedient. The rewards are wonderful, but you have to work for them.
Photo Sept 2013
To end this post, here are two more. They are related, even if they were written two years apart:
A topic close to my heart
While we’re on the subject
pensitivity101 
Your love is showing!❤️
I just love dogs and hate to think of them being neglected, unloved, abused or abandoned.
So right. No living being deserves that.
Awwww…. Happy and long life sweet Maggie!!!
Thanks. She;s doing very well today, not only sausages for breakfast, but chicken for dinner with rice afters!
Waahhaaa..😍😍
I totally agree with you. The number of pets who end up being ignored, not properly cared for and even abandoned because their owners got bored or didn’t realize how much time, effort and money it takes to care for a pet just sickens me. Our pets deserve the same love, care, attention and respect as the human members of our families and if you’re not willing and able to do that, don’t have a pet.
My sentiments exactly. In Teddy’s case, I was angry she hadn’t thought it through as he was a sweet little thing (we puppy sat for the night when she fell in the marina and ended up in hospital), especially as at least two other boater would have been able to take him on or help her out. Still, it all worked out in the end, and he went everywhere with her.
I am happy to hear the lady found a new dog in need of a home, not as a replacement for her old doggie, but rather as an addition. 🙂
You are right – too many dogs are unwanted gifts at this time of year. There should be more consideration – only get a dog for yourself!
We nearly came away with two when we got Maggie, but we’d done that with Barney and had to take Rubble back as he got extremely anxious when we closed the front door. We had to do what was best for him, and the farmer understood. Someone came along and he became a working dog, which suited him much better than a domestic pet.
Yes, you have to find the right match, for both your sakes. Before I got SL, I tried 2 other dogs which I had to take back as it just didn’t work with LM. Those dogs found a new home and a better fit after a while.
I know exactly what you mean. Much as I love dogs, I would hate for one to be distressed because it didn’t fit in with our lifestyle. We’re easy going and pretty laid back, so having a boisterous dog, one that needed plenty of exercise or a BIG one like a St Bernard or Great Dane would be disastrous for them, and I appreciate that.
Exactly. You and the dog both have to be compatible. 🙂
🙂
Great message there Di. A popular problem here is parents who adopt a puppy for their son/daughter who, a year or two later, leave the home for college, university, or simple independence … but leave the dog with Mum and Dad, who find it interferes with their lifestyle and so return it (or worse). I wish people would think it through more carefully!
I always think of you and Ray when I do posts like this Colin, as you are a perfect example of how it can be like for both dogs and owners.
So much thought, groundwork and support went into pairing you, and the feel good factor is off the scale in my heart. You know how I feel about dogs.
Actually we were talking to a couple today who had a Tibetan terrier and cockapoo, both six years old and adorable. The cockapoo was their son’s dog and was passed to them when the first baby came along. Now they have another baby and so the dog is staying with them. Sad in a way but I don’t know the circumstances, but glad that the dog has a good home.
🙂
I wonder what kind of humans can look into the eyes of a dog and not see the unfailing love and devotion. I’m glad Pippa and her owner found each other! Having a pet is a responsibility but the reward is sweet. That being said, you should only adopt when you’re willing to handle all of it, the good as well as the bad parts!
Maggie is wonderful, but then Hubby spent a lot of time one on one when she was a puppy as I was at work. He used cheerios breakfast cereal as his training tool, and she got treats accordingly. Then these were alternated between fuss and kind words so her recall was excellent (and still is when she can see us because we’re relying more on hand signals again) as she was always happy to be with us.
House training was mostly down to me, so every twenty minutes or so it was out into the garden. Yes it was time consuming to get the desired results but it has been so worth it, and we’ll continue to do the best we can for her, she’s our baby afterall.