PET THREAD!

PET THREAD! I wondered if I'd enjoy this. I do. Thanks!

And Meth Lab is hilarious.

After twenty-two years living in the country, oh! the tails I could tell of our cats and dogs. And pix...! I'll try to constrain myself.

Here's a pic of our boy Gimli at a birthday party last month.
http://bit.ly/bdy-dog

Many years ago, I saw this young dog out by the shed. Assuming it was some neighbor's critter trespassing, I said to my son, Son, go chase that dog off. Son ran out there, yelling and waving his arms. The dog laid down and rolled over, tail wagging. I knew he was ours from that moment. And he was. Son got to name him. That name's not my fault!

He's apparently got some German Shepherd, but with a short snout, and a broad torso and skinny hind end that give him a unique appearance - vet said probably some pit bull, with some chow. I like mutts, and he's the best mutt ever!

Being a "teenager" and apparently abused, besides being abandoned, he was a bit hard to train, but he was and is eager to please, and loyal as can be, so after a long time on leashes and tethers, he finally learned to stay in our territory and is never on a tether at home, long since. Gun-, thunder-, and loud-noises-shy, probably from his upbringing. If I swat a bug, he runs for the door.

He's gentle as can be with our kitties, but a killer of possums and squirrels. I remember walking him one day early-on, and as we passed by some high grass, he turned and nailed a possum like lightning. Little beady eyes staring up at me, broken but breathing. Had to put him out of his misery. A couple of times they would wander into his tethered territory and get killed, too.

But when it comes to chasing off neighbors' dogs, he keeps his distance and barks commandingly. Smart guy. Looks fierce enough to strangers that they don't just get out of their cars, but the meter reader and others have learned, he's just happy to see you. (Of course, the meter reader brings him doggie treats!)

Scariest moment: when he was still on a tether, one day, we found him sitting up in the old oak in front of the house - climbed straight up ten feet to get there! If he'd tried to come down the wrong side, he would've hanged himself. Moved him away from the tree after that. Got older and heaver and he never climbed a tree again, but that was as impressive as it was terrifying.

He's smarter than we are. We were neglectful one year and he got the heartworms, so he's on the monthly treatment for the rest of his life. We were using the Iverhart, but the vet had supply troubles so they switched us to Interceptor.

He looks his very best when he's running. Also, when out-of-town son brings his two dogs by, and walks them around the property (on a leash), Gimli is as happy as can be to walk with them - loves company, even though those city girl-dogs are weird.

Getting on in years, sometimes seems a little stiff getting up in the morning or when it's cold - so am I - but once he gets going he's like a puppy. When we feed him, he waits to eat until I pet his head and say, "Good dog." Loves riding in the pick-em-up more than the van because he can see out more easily.

I wish I'd known when my kids were younger what this dog has taught us, about patience and positive reinforcement vs punishment. He's a good teacher.