Oh dear, I shouldn't have read this whole thing. With Farmer where he is, we're thinking after this we go without a dog for a bit...but now I know that it is going to be very difficult to pull off. Kudos to you for all your rescuing and I loved reading the origin stories of all four. Thank you! Living the gratitude!
Dee, this was beautiful. The same storms came through here (outside Memphis) and we were all hunkered down as well. Fortunately the hail missed us but everything on my back patio ended up in the pool. We only have one dog at the moment, a rescue named Lola. She has been with us for 7 years now. I didn't want an indoor dog but my wife and kids begged me so we went to the humane society to look. They were all excited about some little yapper while I just walked along the kennels looking at all the mutts. When I saw Lola (she had a different name then) I knew she was the one. We have been inseparable ever since. On stormy nights she sleeps right by the foot of my bed. The other night, with the bad storm, we all gathered in the safest spot in our house and huddled for a bit, not knowing what was to come. We have had tornados through this county the last three years we have lived here. The family has been begging me to get another dog. I have been hesitant because I can't imagine another dog being as awesome as Lola but your story softened my heart a bit. Maybe we will make a trip to the local shelter to see what's going on.
My most recent, and perhaps most cherished, Fred Jackson, a black Lab mix. He and Stella Mae, a true Heinz 57, and Fred’s little running buddy, were hitchhiking along I-40 in western Oklahoma. Each maybe 2 years old.
I’ve enjoyed at least twenty before them, but Fred was so quick to learn, intuitive, empathetic, and eager to please, that it was scary.
He was the friend that stuck closer than any brother, always accommodative and pleasant to be around, except for strangers.
Yet his joyous personality entertained at all times, reliably blessing our hearts without end. Until the end, 💔💔.
But Fred blessed us so very much, every single day, of around 13 years he lived with us.
All that to say, give one an opportunity to flag you down, you just might get blessed beyond belief.
💯 thanks for sharing that. What most people that haven’t rescued a dog don’t understand is that we’re the one getting the gift. Sure we save their lives—but they give so much back to us everyday. 🙏
Thanks for sharing this, it is appreciated. I know that Lola has given more to me than I could have imagined so I am hopeful that it will be the same with another rescue. We are going to go and check out what the local shelter has this week.
You know my story of my Blue Heeler named Bowie (the eyes had it!) and he was deaf from birth. Never again changed and the Heeler was deaf but not from birth & he could not adjust to it. He had no off button and seriously did damage to my arm. He was rehomed - was trained so well but he still couldn’t adjust. He is now over the bridge with yours and I truly hope he is so happy. That was seriously it FOR SURE this time.
Until a Blue Heeler named Winston needed a new home as the apartment he was raised in was just not big enough (we think he is Heeler with a little Great Dane mixed in. He is loved and I am his person - even though Matt walks him. I swore I was going to remain aloof - HA!! He is not quite 2 so a lot more energy than I have but he Gets It. Mom is “broken” just a big and he takes great care of me.
Winston is my heart now - a different spot of my heart than Bowie, but my heart nonetheless!
Dogs are souls who teach us patience, hope and true love.
Happy you have a place to share your time and love along with your fur babies
A startling rambling run of a story.. whew ! woof times FOUR.. full tilt dog boogie on.. from the Big Woof himself .. love so many of the shots ! Had to rein in my ‘owned by a dog days.. after The Mighty Quinn - on the beach. Sweet Jane followed but so did d i v o r c e soon after .. & had to decline going to war over her whereabouts when Dylan let slip at age 3 he hadn’t seen her in a while.. Am still loadin up a few tales for ya re ‘truckin & enduro ridin in Texas.. & got a goody or two re Quinn .. but gotta thread I wanna track down re your Radio Station firstly !
PS - our first dogs were Blackjack & Poker.. outta Ace of Spades - all World Black Labs when I was about 10 I guess, still in Toronto but soon for the new farm at age 12.. when family friends started dumping their aging dogs on us.. I was overjoyed of course .. the dogs less so initially.. looking back though ? We made their retirement exiting.. especially Moose - a strange old Boxer/Mastiff mix who was stoked to see me trying to get a bridle on ol Shamus the retired big hunter.. and when either of them saw the lever action Browning in its saddle scabbard pulled out with the saddle .. they knew we either had poachers in the woodlot or back fields or stealing our cedar rail fences.. & Sum Fun would surely ensue & all bets were off re their contribution to ‘the dance.. i was fifteen & alone - livin with an old spinster Aunt haha.. We were full of shit & adrenaline the three of us.. Moose, Shamus & punk from the big city.. WOOF ! 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
haha.. had my drivers licence then - so approx 4 years after the Pauly Wally & the Doodle ‘memoir in my site - had Shamus but not Moose yet.. or the balls ! & Browning 308 - not the one mentioned in the story - we had wild dog packs along with serious poachers.. i’ve written how horse & dog presented serious threat to poachers ! .. that damn thing bit me numerously & savagely - knew I couldn’t trust it worth shit unless i was in the saddle.. while Moose was a sweetheart in his last years but horrifying to look at .. slobber a flyin
One of the all time great dog stories ever! I can't imagine my life, my home, my marriage without a dog. And rescue dogs -- just the best. Thanks for sharing all of this. Dogs do help to make us better people. I'm living proof, along with many others, of that fact.
Thank you for introducing us to your gorgeous family! They are wonderful and make me admire Ann even more for moving in with all five of you! Go Ann go!
Thanks for sharing these, Dee- It must've been quite the time of your life to have had Bogart by your side, and for him to have saved your life no less. Hope you're having a lovely day with Bogie, Pete, et.al. :)
Love the names BTW ❤️
Oh dear, I shouldn't have read this whole thing. With Farmer where he is, we're thinking after this we go without a dog for a bit...but now I know that it is going to be very difficult to pull off. Kudos to you for all your rescuing and I loved reading the origin stories of all four. Thank you! Living the gratitude!
Thank you Susie. You’ll know when you know with Farmer and his successor. They pick us after all 🙏❤️
That's so true. Farmer literally flagged me down at the shelter. He lay down and stuck his paw out between the bars when he saw me!
❤️
Dee, this was beautiful. The same storms came through here (outside Memphis) and we were all hunkered down as well. Fortunately the hail missed us but everything on my back patio ended up in the pool. We only have one dog at the moment, a rescue named Lola. She has been with us for 7 years now. I didn't want an indoor dog but my wife and kids begged me so we went to the humane society to look. They were all excited about some little yapper while I just walked along the kennels looking at all the mutts. When I saw Lola (she had a different name then) I knew she was the one. We have been inseparable ever since. On stormy nights she sleeps right by the foot of my bed. The other night, with the bad storm, we all gathered in the safest spot in our house and huddled for a bit, not knowing what was to come. We have had tornados through this county the last three years we have lived here. The family has been begging me to get another dog. I have been hesitant because I can't imagine another dog being as awesome as Lola but your story softened my heart a bit. Maybe we will make a trip to the local shelter to see what's going on.
if reading my story results in you rescuing another pal—besides you of course—for Lola then my work here is done 😉
Seriously I never intended to have the packs I have had—they just pick you if you put yourself nearby.
Blessings for surviving these spring storms I’m afraid May is not done with us yet.
My most recent, and perhaps most cherished, Fred Jackson, a black Lab mix. He and Stella Mae, a true Heinz 57, and Fred’s little running buddy, were hitchhiking along I-40 in western Oklahoma. Each maybe 2 years old.
I’ve enjoyed at least twenty before them, but Fred was so quick to learn, intuitive, empathetic, and eager to please, that it was scary.
He was the friend that stuck closer than any brother, always accommodative and pleasant to be around, except for strangers.
Yet his joyous personality entertained at all times, reliably blessing our hearts without end. Until the end, 💔💔.
But Fred blessed us so very much, every single day, of around 13 years he lived with us.
All that to say, give one an opportunity to flag you down, you just might get blessed beyond belief.
💯 thanks for sharing that. What most people that haven’t rescued a dog don’t understand is that we’re the one getting the gift. Sure we save their lives—but they give so much back to us everyday. 🙏
Man, how true this is. Lola just listens when I need someone to vent to. She loves up on me when I am feeling down. Dogs are awesome.
Thanks for sharing this, it is appreciated. I know that Lola has given more to me than I could have imagined so I am hopeful that it will be the same with another rescue. We are going to go and check out what the local shelter has this week.
A lovely homage to your canine family (and I loved how you brought us full circle—present day, memories, present day). Thank you for sharing!
~a 2x rescue/re-home dog mom + 1x rescue dog “grandma”
Bless you 🙏
You know my story of my Blue Heeler named Bowie (the eyes had it!) and he was deaf from birth. Never again changed and the Heeler was deaf but not from birth & he could not adjust to it. He had no off button and seriously did damage to my arm. He was rehomed - was trained so well but he still couldn’t adjust. He is now over the bridge with yours and I truly hope he is so happy. That was seriously it FOR SURE this time.
Until a Blue Heeler named Winston needed a new home as the apartment he was raised in was just not big enough (we think he is Heeler with a little Great Dane mixed in. He is loved and I am his person - even though Matt walks him. I swore I was going to remain aloof - HA!! He is not quite 2 so a lot more energy than I have but he Gets It. Mom is “broken” just a big and he takes great care of me.
Winston is my heart now - a different spot of my heart than Bowie, but my heart nonetheless!
Dogs are souls who teach us patience, hope and true love.
Happy you have a place to share your time and love along with your fur babies
Thanks for sharing more of your wonderful dog story Pamela. I’m sure Bowie and Winston are so loved 🙏
Bowie gave his approval from the other side of the bridge ☀️
And he was loved so much - Winston has stolen my heart too ♥️
Oh, the love here! ❤️❤️
Thank you Tara 🙏
A startling rambling run of a story.. whew ! woof times FOUR.. full tilt dog boogie on.. from the Big Woof himself .. love so many of the shots ! Had to rein in my ‘owned by a dog days.. after The Mighty Quinn - on the beach. Sweet Jane followed but so did d i v o r c e soon after .. & had to decline going to war over her whereabouts when Dylan let slip at age 3 he hadn’t seen her in a while.. Am still loadin up a few tales for ya re ‘truckin & enduro ridin in Texas.. & got a goody or two re Quinn .. but gotta thread I wanna track down re your Radio Station firstly !
PS - our first dogs were Blackjack & Poker.. outta Ace of Spades - all World Black Labs when I was about 10 I guess, still in Toronto but soon for the new farm at age 12.. when family friends started dumping their aging dogs on us.. I was overjoyed of course .. the dogs less so initially.. looking back though ? We made their retirement exiting.. especially Moose - a strange old Boxer/Mastiff mix who was stoked to see me trying to get a bridle on ol Shamus the retired big hunter.. and when either of them saw the lever action Browning in its saddle scabbard pulled out with the saddle .. they knew we either had poachers in the woodlot or back fields or stealing our cedar rail fences.. & Sum Fun would surely ensue & all bets were off re their contribution to ‘the dance.. i was fifteen & alone - livin with an old spinster Aunt haha.. We were full of shit & adrenaline the three of us.. Moose, Shamus & punk from the big city.. WOOF ! 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
What a story that needs to be unrolled my friend. Holy Batman! I bet those poachers shit a brick when they saw Moose coming 😉
haha.. had my drivers licence then - so approx 4 years after the Pauly Wally & the Doodle ‘memoir in my site - had Shamus but not Moose yet.. or the balls ! & Browning 308 - not the one mentioned in the story - we had wild dog packs along with serious poachers.. i’ve written how horse & dog presented serious threat to poachers ! .. that damn thing bit me numerously & savagely - knew I couldn’t trust it worth shit unless i was in the saddle.. while Moose was a sweetheart in his last years but horrifying to look at .. slobber a flyin
Awesome!
Absolutely beautiful and lovely dogs!!
And sincere thanks for taking time to photograph and post each and every
One! Each one looks like an old and dear friend of mine. For Real.
You’re welcome it’s truly my pleasure to share them with you. Thank you for reading 🙏
Aww… love doggy tales.
I picked this book up at the library one day and couldn’t put it down.
PUKA’S PROMISE, the quest for longer lived dogs by Ted Kerasote.
I’ll check it out. I love doggie books.
One of the all time great dog stories ever! I can't imagine my life, my home, my marriage without a dog. And rescue dogs -- just the best. Thanks for sharing all of this. Dogs do help to make us better people. I'm living proof, along with many others, of that fact.
A brilliant and simple truth eh Stephanie? Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙏
My Sally approves this message!
So do my Ellie and Jack.
This might be my favorite essay so far and that’s saying something! Can’t wait to meet all the boys in person!
Thanks Bill. It will be soon 🙏
What fun and emotion to travel through your adoptions of dogs. Desperate loss, and ultimate joy of having dogs as family. Thank you for the story!
Beautiful article on Mutual Rescue. Thank you for giving a furever home to this incredible Pack.
It’s my never ending privilege and pleasure. Thank you Heidi🙏
Thank you for introducing us to your gorgeous family! They are wonderful and make me admire Ann even more for moving in with all five of you! Go Ann go!
She’s the bomb dog momma ❤️
Thanks for sharing these, Dee- It must've been quite the time of your life to have had Bogart by your side, and for him to have saved your life no less. Hope you're having a lovely day with Bogie, Pete, et.al. :)
Thank you so much for reading Thalia. They give us so much and expect so little in return. 🙏
Agreed. The real meaning of unconditional, Dee-