The wonderful Love at first sight photo on the front page (The Valley Reporter, December 17, 2015) accurately portrayed the first meeting with my dog, though the situation was totally different.
Looking for a large dog a while ago, I went to the Central Vermont Humane Society where they showed me a large white Akita sitting in a fenced corner next to the indoor “walkway.” Knowing dogs all my life, I took one look at his eyes and facial expression and saw that he was not for me. No, thanks!
But leaning against the wall separating the two cubicles was a big, black dog looking up at me, just like the dog in the photo, with beautiful eyes saying “Please, please take me.”
Evidently, my dog had been abused. One day, when I picked up a large dead branch on the lawn, he ran away, scared out of his wits. (The same thing happened when he saw my gun.) It didn’t last and he showed from the beginning that he was my “guardian,” watching out for me everywhere.
Since he was a big dog needing lots of exercise, I’d take him up the logging road. He’d run ahead and when I’d see him stop and look back, I’d turn around and start down. He’d come racing back down, pass me and then stop again to check on me. Of course, I’d turn around and start back up. Great way to exercise a big, attentive dog!
A wonderful mixed breed – Rottweiler, black lab and coonhound, his nose ruled! If I let him out too close to leaving for work, his routine could be exasperating. He’d look for the right place as if it’d be a future house location; then he’d do about three figure 8s, five circles and to my utter frustration his coonhound nose might pick up a scent and he’d have to start all over again. Fortunately, it didn’t happen all the time.
Is it worth it to have a dog like that? You bet! We should all be so lucky and treat them like the best friends they are.
Judy Larson DiMario
Fayston
