A Question About Impactful Animals

[drumstick diva]

Gryphon was a great dog and friend, glad he made it to 12.5 Large dogs rarely do.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

My phone is temporarily out of commission, so I have to make do with photos I have on this computer. This is my dog Sprocket, who exemplifies a willingness to accept help and come back from great hardship. He was 7 years old when I met him at the shelter, and had lost about 1/3 of his body weight. He was found wandering in a 400-acre park in a city, inflamed and flea-bitten, with an eye infection, and starving. Nobody claimed him or inquired about him, so I suspect he was abandoned on purpose.

Truly, he should have been eaten by a predator. He is a tiny Chihuahua, when healthy weighing a little over six pounds. Today he is 18, and my constant companion. He doesn't protect the house (unless you're afraid of a tiny dog barking and snarling), he is now nearly deaf and partly blind, and his abhorrence of walking on ice, snow, or wet ground means we have to deal with indoor puppy pads. He has chronic diarrhea.

But this dog is a loyal friend. He wants nothing more than to be fed and warm, the latter ideally on a lap in front of the wood stove. He loves warmth! I continually think he is failing: he sleeps 23 hours a day, is underweight, and the poop . . .

But when he feels well, once a day, either outside or in the kitchen, he gets excited and tears around in circles, challenging us to play. He is fast, lively, and hilarious.

Maybe it's no more than other dogs do for their owners. But my little brave Sprocket helps me appreciate courage, persistence, and giving undying love and loyalty. I hope he stays with us longer.

 

[drumstick diva]

So glad you took Sprocket in, he sounds like a real character

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@trumpeting_angel - Firstly, GOOD ON YOU adopting what most consider a senior dog. I can't count the ratio of puppies adopted versus adult dogs while working in the shelters. Especially in the shape he was in, it's good to hear he has been a part of your life for so long. 18 is a big number to celebrate for pups! I do hope this loyal fella stays with you longer, and I am so glad you adopted him. No matter what, he's had a great chance for life and by the looks of that sweet bundle by the wood heater...I'd say he's a pampered fella.

 

[NHMountainMan]

@drumstick diva @HomesteaderWife @trumpeting_angel and @FortCluck
Thank you. Yes - I'm in remission and feel well. 12.5 years was well beyond the 8-10 we expected and we felt blessed to have him, and his little brother (who's 8 and only 125 lbs) I always used to joke that Gryphon was a chick magnet. But Titan is the real chick magnet. My chickens love him - follow him around, walk between his legs, I've even seen them plucking ticks out of his tail!

 

[NHMountainMan]

View attachment 1962395 View attachment 1962403

My phone is temporarily out of commission, so I have to make do with photos I have on this computer. This is my dog Sprocket, who exemplifies a willingness to accept help and come back from great hardship. He was 7 years old when I met him at the shelter, and had lost about 1/3 of his body weight. He was found wandering in a 400-acre park in a city, inflamed and flea-bitten, with an eye infection, and starving. Nobody claimed him or inquired about him, so I suspect he was abandoned on purpose.

Truly, he should have been eaten by a predator. He is a tiny Chihuahua, when healthy weighing a little over six pounds. Today he is 18, and my constant companion. He doesn't protect the house (unless you're afraid of a tiny dog barking and snarling), he is now nearly deaf and partly blind, and his abhorrence of walking on ice, snow, or wet ground means we have to deal with indoor puppy pads. He has chronic diarrhea.

But this dog is a loyal friend. He wants nothing more than to be fed and warm, the latter ideally on a lap in front of the wood stove. He loves warmth! I continually think he is failing: he sleeps 23 hours a day, is underweight, and the poop . . .

But when he feels well, once a day, either outside or in the kitchen, he gets excited and tears around in circles, challenging us to play. He is fast, lively, and hilarious.

Maybe it's no more than other dogs do for their owners. But my little brave Sprocket helps me appreciate courage, persistence, and giving undying love and loyalty. I hope he stays with us longer.

So glad you adopted this little guy - - I'm sure he's forgotten his first 7 years because of the love and care you've shown him!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

So glad you adopted this little guy - - I'm sure he's forgotten his first 7 years because of the love and care you've shown him!

Really, he is impossible not to love. Nobody who has met him fails to fall for him. I never thought much of tiny dogs - they seem silly, fragile and they do get stepped on easily. But he wins hearts wherever he goes.