Dwight & Tina's Dog Advice
Read, learn or pay the price
When Tina and I got married, one thing we both knew we wanted was a dog. However, we both had distinctly different ideas about what that meant. Tina wanted a cute terrier-like dog that would sit on her lap. I, on the other hand, wanted a "man's dog", something with some size to it. I had grown up with terriers of various breeds, and while they are great dogs, I was ready for something different.
Well, we got Kellie, pictured above. Like most folks, we went to the shelter "just to look" and came home with a sort of beige shepherd/husky mix. As many of those same folks will also tell you, the dog picked us. She was just right, and was so comfortable in her choice she fell asleep shortly after climbing in our car. Kellie turned out to be one of those rare dogs that bonds so passionately and easily with you that you simply can't describe it. Show her once around the yard and she never ventured from it. Sat quietly in the back seat of the car, her ears and eyeballs silently filling the rearview mirror. A dog that knew her place and what was expected of her that corrections were rarely necessary, and never needed repeating. We adored Kellie and she us, and it was devastating when she suddenly became anemic and eventually died from cancer within a few months. We were fortunate to spend about seven years with her before a lot of the happiness left my life with her. She died 8/21/00 and I still cannot talk much about her.
On a happier note, before Kellie became ill we decided to add a second dog to our household. Quite pleased with my "mutt/mongrel/mix-breed" I wasn't much interested in a purebred dog. I believe serious breeders are decent, but most breeders are simply in it for the bucks and turn out some truly lousy dogs. Regardless, Tina and I both thought Australian Shepherds were really neat dogs, and unbelievably one turned up at the local shelter where Kellie had been rescued. Well, this is how we wound up with our "special boy" Farley. Farley is a dangerous combination of stubborn, butt-headed male dog coupled with the unbridled enthusiasm of the Aussie breed. He is alternately brilliant or an idiot, depending on his mood. Among Farley's many annoyances was a very expensive medical one: he had been surgically de-barked by his unknown prior owner. That wasn't by itself so awful; what was horrific was he had developed scar tissue that narrowed his trachea to the size of a cat's! $1500 worth of laser surgery later, he can now breathe like a normal dog. So much for the inexpensive shelter pet.
"Farls" was a real challenge to train, and he is one of those projects that will never really be finished. In spite of his being, well, an Aussie he has nevertheless become "momma's boy" and has figured out how to get his belly rubbed at a moment's notice.
Best entertainment values: covering his bone with imaginary dirt on his bed, purring while being petted, absurd facial snarls when trying to get his sister to play.
Which brings us to Zoe (aka Zo-dog, BD, Zo-Bo, Zobe-wan-kenobe). After the devastating departure of Kellie we knew we would need another dog both for us and to keep Farley entertained. Numerous trips to several shelters eventually found us back at our usual place, and sticking our fingers in the cage at a black dog (BD) of puzzling lineage. It took us two years until we finally figured out Zoe was, actually, mostly border collie. So we are now "blessed" with two ambitious, hyper herding dogs in our household. Learn from our mistakes!
When we first got Zoe I started an online diary about her first year with us. You can read it and see more photos of her and Farley here.
If you're considering getting a dog be sure to read our adoption advice, linked below. We are always happy to discuss dogs with anyone, and can help you find a rescue organization if you seek a particular breed.
