Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
Click on Mark Twain to jump to Troutbirders book review blog

Monday, November 14, 2016

Swimming Lessons

Mrs. T and I have had five dogs now.  Three of them were hunters.  Max the Wonder Dog.
He was a "designer dog" before the term was invented being a Golden Retrieve X German Shorthair Pointer. The book and movie Marley could have been based on his antics. He was also a phenomenal hunter of pheasants and grouse who taught me how to  benefit from his skills.
Max was followed by  Chessie and Muffy two Chesapeake Retrievers. Those two lovable girls added retrieving ducks and geese to the skill set. Oh did they love the water.
Chessie von Milville
They were all "outside dogs" with a kennel who had inside the house privileges to socialize with the family. When I had to give up hunting due to a bum knee, we decided to have a companion/guard dog.  An extra large GSD named Baron filled the bill. He proved to be my best buddy....
Now we have Lily a female GSD and an unexpected "rescue dog."  As a wild/abandoned wanderer she was first taken in by our friends Steve and Jewel to their dairy farm. A year later she came to us upon Steve's untimely death. Whatever her early life experience were they certainly were not good. Bonding with Mrs. T. Lily is now our first "house dog." She has quickly picked up on most of the social graces she obviously missed as a puppy and has proven to be a lovable companion. Still she has what seems to be to be quirks compared to our experiences with previous dogs.  She is ready to fight at the sight of another dog, doesn't play with toys, fetch or swim.  We're working, so far unsuccessfully,
on the later.....
 
 
 

13 comments:

  1. They offer a lot of pleasure, I am attracted to any dog

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dogs can have just as many quirks as humans. She's lucky to have found a home with you two.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh I love the photo of you and Lily in the water! You have had some marvelous dogs in your life, and I think it is wonderful that you took in Lily. Baron was ever so handsome, I know he was your buddy and you miss him. Perhaps Lily bonded with Mrs T because she knew she needed a special friend...my best to you all:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. "Do something, Mom. My feet are getting cold."

    ReplyDelete
  5. Some of these little critters go thorough some twisted experiences and then w wonder why they have some problems.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Life is enriched by our animals. You sure had some wonderful dogs. We had Labradors .... every one of them beautiful and clever. I really miss them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Getting the feet wet is the first step for all of us. We never forget the dogs who came before do we? They give us so much and ask for so little. Lucky Lily, lucky you and the Mrs.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Here is the thing about friends--we learn to accept them for who and what they are without trying to change them. We have a rescue kitty (Owen) and we don't know where he has been or why he does the stuff he does, but we keep that in mind when we are impatient with him. I'm sure you are doing the same with Lily, understanding and knowing that she didn't have the same good life other dogs may have had.

    You are lucky to have each other.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am sure that you have given her a taste of the good life, poor thing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Goodness, Baron was a handsome boy! I'm sure Miss Lily is worth the trouble to teach her the social graces and will be remembered as fondly as your other dogs. We have a border collie. Talk about quirks and having no idea why she does what she does! But we love her anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, what does GSD stand for?

      Delete
    2. Usually German Shepherd Dog
      According to my spouse German Shedding Dog

      Delete
  11. Hello, great photos. I love the German Shepherd. Beautiful dogs!
    Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete