A Chinese proverb says:
"To be followed home by a stray dog is a sign of impending wealth."
While I've never been lucky enough to have a dog follow me home, they do; however, just appear...or rather are found, snoozing in the barn. Over the years there have been oodles of cats find their way here, but only 4 dogs.
Our first gem was an Airedale mix named Mad Dog (absolutely no reflection on his personality...just a name taken from Marvel's Mad Dog Comics and the Bob Newhart show, Bob) He was amazingly friendly and a hit with the neighbors.
Our second dog was Sam...fluffy and golden, a bit shy, but sweetly protective of us. Wishbone was the third...a bouncy Jack Russel mix named after the famous PBS kids show dog, Wishbone.
These days I count myself lucky to curl up with Bailey...a Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix who is an absolute sweetheart. You can read the story of how she came to the farm here.
Sadly, there are a lot of stigmas that surround Bull Dog breeds. But aren't all dogs products of their environment as well as genetics? It made my heart happy when recently a lady exclaimed,
"What a gorgeous dog!" while a few days earlier our mailman had said, "What a beauty!"
Here's the thing: whether it's a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier, I think of them as cousins with the same Grandfather: the Bull Dog. Yes, she's very muscular and may look imposing (which is not a bad thing when it's just me on the farm), but ferocious? Aggressive? Not at all...Bailey is an incredibly gentle, intelligent, and affectionate soul. Never has she growled or snapped, she's absolutely patient, and a loving companion. Truly, she seems grateful to be warm, fed, and loved. As they say: Who rescued who?
And so, as we celebrate World Stray Animals Day, I'll share a heartfelt quote from a well-known actor - it's certainly reached more readers and will have more influence than I possibly could from my little corner of the Midwest:
"There are many loving animals at shelters
who are in desperate need of a home.
Visit a shelter and leave with a best friend."
-Chris Evans
Link
Aww, those photos are so cute. Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling all over :) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret...like peas in a pod as they say! So nice to see them curl up together. Mary
ReplyDeleteMy Rottweiler was gentler than my Cocker Spaniel believe it or not. He was a big baby. Its all on how you take care of them and raise them. Bailey is so sweet curled up with her kitty friend! Janice
ReplyDeleteThe sweetest photos ever. I completely agree about it being how they are raised. So happy you and Bailey found each other. 🧡
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! Such precious friends you have. My little Mocha is my shadow, and I adore her!
ReplyDeleteJanice - you're so right, it's all in how we treat them. I love that she and Azzie curl up together!
ReplyDeleteStaci - thank you - I know you have that special bond with Oliver - what a blessing!
Billie Jo - Mocha must be such a sweetheart...it's fun to have a little shadow!
You are right about Bull Dogs getting a bad reputation. Sadly, it is usually the owners who are to blame. We love our furbabies and snuggle with them daily. We head north to help our farmer friend plant in a couple weeks to begin our own April Dreams and smell the freshly turned soil!
ReplyDeleteJim and Barb, thanks for stopping by! I'll have to read about your adventures...we have a little (and I mean little) 1963 Yellowstone camper but haven't taken her out on grand adventures. She's more of a stay close to home kind of gal! Have fun planting...I know your help will be greatly appreciated! Mary
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