Jan's comments about the New Dog reminds me of my Ol Dog story.
Last summer when I came to Vera Cruz to hide from Baja's summer heat I met Ol Dog. Ol Dog is one of those Solo Vino kind of guys that hangs around the
neighborhood. You know the kind; skinny, ribs poking out, dry dull fur, sleeps in the sun by the side of the road most of the day. He is an
independent ol Cuss, a little skittish about being touched. Most the time won't even look up when you say hi as you walk by.
Well, I don't exactly recall how it began that he wound up coming by my place once and awhile to get a handout, but we kind of worked out a not to
touchy friendship, and I would put some dry dog food out for him when he did drop by to say a not to friendly hi. It's kind of like befriending an Ol
Bum, who you help when you can.
So, when I left last fall, I left some dry dog food with my landlady, who has a kind heart for dogs, and she fed him once and a while when he came by.
Last Spring a Russian couple rented "my" cassita and they wound up feeding Ol Dog, which is the name that has stuck with him since I met him last
year. He hit the lottery with them, they cooked him meat and gave him big bones to gnaw on, he started to perk up a bit. Oh and he has a blanket that
the Russians left him to sleep on under the carport in front, when he wants to stay, which ain't all that often anyway.
Well, the Russian couple left and I moved back in thinking if I saw him I would give him the cheap niblets as I had before. Well, Ol Dog will have
none of that now I tell you. Now when he shows up to eat, he barks loud and clear to let you know he's here. Oh and, dry cheap nibbliets, nope, I
think not, nope, not any more, he barks and barks until you bring him something worthy of a "King of the Road" that he has become. He now gets fancy
niblets, with warm chicken broth and a couple of big spoons of canned dog food mixed in. He's not so skinny any more, just lean, and his fur, well it
sure ain't silky, but it's touchable and he will let me give him a few hesitant pets, oh and now sometimes he even smiles and wags his tail and does a
little hop when I bring out his bowl of food.
Ol Dog, only comes around when he wants to, sometimes I don't see him for two or three days, sometimes he comes to eat 3 times a day. I figure, fatten
him up while I can, because we really truly are just a couple of ships passing in the night, he can't be my dog, he belongs to himself, he likes his
independents and he will always live on this street. Still, he fulfills something for me as I do for him, just a passing friend, but still a friend
worth remembering.Paulina - 8-30-2011 at 07:00 PM
I'm smiling.
Thank you.
P>*)))>{bajaguy - 8-30-2011 at 07:08 PM
OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!woody with a view - 8-30-2011 at 07:31 PM
lucky dog....Paula - 8-30-2011 at 08:40 PM
Very nice, thank you SaraBob H - 8-30-2011 at 09:50 PM
Eli, that was a great story, well told, from the heart. Loved it!
Old dog
C-Urchin - 8-30-2011 at 10:12 PM
I found a barely breathing sack of bones downtown Los Angeles in 1998. Took him home and he became the best dog ever. Took him absolutely everywhere.
Lost him this spring to cancer. Had to put him down. I gave him 12 years minus 3 days of a good life. (so did he)
He is dearly missed. He was not in the ground more than 18 hours, the cat peeed on his grave...Got it all on video.
Yes, the kitty is still around...Old and cranky. Nasty kitty. Just eats shrimp and complains all day. Bad kitty.Eli - 8-31-2011 at 05:24 AM
Thanks for the positive in-put You all.
C-urchin, I know what you mean, I had a Goldie dog that adopted me, She was from the street. She traveled with me everywhere I went, best dog I ever
got to be with, she was my partner in crime for 15 years mas o minos. She died in Los Barrlies a good while back. Never had a dog I loved so much
since.
I have a dear cat at home, Ol Tio Gato, he comes and goes as he pleases. Tio gets along famously with our Shepard, Miss Mollie, but the rest, well, he
sure doesn't think much of the other 3 dogs we have in our yard. One of those dogs in particular lives to give Tio grief, lies in wait at the bottom
of my stairs, just waiting for Tio to come out and do his business. I am sure Tio would pee on her grave if he could.Marc - 8-31-2011 at 07:02 AM
Nice story.
I had a similar experience as a nine year old kid. One day he didn't show up and was gone forever. I named that tough ol' dog Tuffy.Skipjack Joe - 8-31-2011 at 09:16 AM
You write as well as you paint, Sarah. Perhaps you got it from dad.Natalie Ann - 8-31-2011 at 10:55 AM
I thoroughly enjoyed your tale, amiga - big smiles.
Thanks for that.
nenatiotomasbcs - 8-31-2011 at 11:37 AM
Amigos, Stories from the Heart that go straight to the Heart. There sure are some great Nomads with many great experiences that I love to read about!
peeed on his grave?! I am still laughing. Thanks. TioBajaBlanca - 8-31-2011 at 12:30 PM
good story on a beautiful wednesday ..... I can't even imagine life without our dog Rex ..... he is the official welcoming commitee here at the
house. absolutely no one can get away with not petting him because he does not give up poking his nose at you til you do ....
however, we also nicknamed him JD (juvenile delinquent) cause he will NOT come when called. ever. and he rolls in the dirt moaning and groaning til he
is filthy. and he barks non-stop at the beach out of sheer joy. Yup, we love him dearly.
Yep, good song for an Ol Dog, and me too, I haven't listened to Neil Young in a good while.
Always good to connect with people about a common bound, there are many Ol Dogs out there, that's for sure.
I saw Ol Dog on the corner this morning, sleeping in the sun, with his tail curled up around his nose, he didn't even raise his head when I walked
right by him and said hi, sometimes he reminds me of a zen master in meditation.
He came by for his cena this evening, he was hungry and happy to see me, he hadn't been by when I was home since the day before yesterday. He is a
survivor who lives on his own terms that's for sure.
Dogs Can Connect Us to So Much
Gypsy Jan - 8-31-2011 at 07:47 PM
When we are open to the message.
Sara,
Thank you for the story about Ol Dog.
GJ
old dog-cat
C-Urchin - 9-1-2011 at 09:53 PM
This is my neighbor's cat. He likes the life of luxury...
Yes
El Vergel - 9-2-2011 at 06:48 AM
Thank you! That's a beautiful story.Neal Johns - 9-2-2011 at 07:43 AM
Great stories.
Neal
Sara
Baja Bernie - 9-3-2011 at 07:00 PM
You hit another long ball...Made me remember a story, oh so long ago, where you met another stranger and ended up in Gods House having a talk with
himself...Now that was a story
You do your Dad proud!Sallysouth - 9-3-2011 at 07:54 PM
Jeez sara, You sure have a way with telling stories...precious..I need to talk to you @ Mija...sorry to hijack your thread, new/old computer, lost all
my addys and info.same email.bessosBornFisher - 9-3-2011 at 07:54 PM
Love your style. Great story.Eli - 9-3-2011 at 08:14 PM
Again, thanks EVERYONE for your encouragement about my story, it has been a while since I felt inspired to write anything.shari - 9-4-2011 at 08:00 AM
ahhh amiga....your writing conjures up wonderful images...so very lovely, simple and true...like you!Eli - 8-22-2012 at 08:43 AM
Yesterday, we buried Ol Dog.
A kind young vet from the neighborhood came over and confirmed that there was no easy remedy for what ailed my vagabond friend. Ol Dog had an
obstructed bowel, and he would only suffer now. So together, my neighbor and I said our goodbyes. The vet was so humane and patient, first giving Ol
Dog some pills to tranquilize him, before the injection to put him down. We sat and drank tea for an hour and Ol Dog would not go to sleep, so as I
fed him some meat, the Vet injected him with some more tranquilizers and again we waited 15 minutes or so and Ol Dog wandered off into the bushes and
laid down in soft moist soil to rest his weary soul.
My greatest wish that the dog would not suffer trauma in his last day was fulfilled. Ironic how his last day was the only day that he was ever enticed
into the yard. It took some coaxing, but a little canned dog food in my hand brought him in. I sat out on the bench and stoked his crusty old head,
said my goodbyes, Now, He is buried down in the corner of my neighbors yard next to one of her dogs.
The Vet said that Ol Dog was at least 12 years old which is a good long life for a street dog.
Although he wasn't my dog, only his own keeper, he was my friend and I will miss his bark out under my window as he patrolled the neighborhood looking
for a handout.
After we buried him, I took a good long walk in the woods and let a pouring rain soak me, it feels so good to be alive and have the memory of that Ol
VagoDog of a friend, it has been a blessing to know him, certainly He will always be a part of what makes me, Me.J.P. - 8-22-2012 at 09:06 AM
Great story, I know what it is to loose a good companion I had to have my Boston Terrier Put down we shared a turbelant 15 years. That was almost two
years ago I didnt think I wanted another dog until Chula, a beautiful 4 month old German Shepard Entered our life. she is now 1 1/2 years old and has
completely taken over our life.
WOW,,GREAT WRITING
captkw - 8-22-2012 at 09:11 AM
WOW,,THAT TORE ME UP!! MY MIND WENT BACK TO" GUILA MONSTER" A MALE DOG THAT CAME WITH THE WIFE AT THE TIME..WHEN WE SPLIT UP FOR GOOD ON THE ROUGE
RIVER IN ORGEON I HAD THE OL GUY AND TOOK HIM FOR HIS LAST HIKE AND HAD TO CARRY OUT FROM THE RIVER AND PUT HIM ASLEEP...ALWAYS WILL BRING TEARS TO MY
EYES..LOSING A DOG ......................SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!Cypress - 8-22-2012 at 10:33 AM
Have had to put down several "Ol Dogs". The last one was the hardest. I'm not gonna have any more dogs.
Friends
El Vergel - 8-22-2012 at 12:28 PM
Thank you, what a great tale! Why I cannot read it without tearing.... (X3)
Beautiful. Thanks.
[Edited on 8-24-2012 by El Vergel]BajaBlanca - 8-22-2012 at 01:26 PM
I have never had to put down a dog ...it will be a sad day indeed when it happens ):
A Beautiful Elegy
Gypsy Jan - 8-22-2012 at 01:59 PM
Dogs, in some mysterious way, become such a part of our soul and existence.
In most cases, they go ahead of us on that unknown path, but I think/hope that they lay a trail to guide us.
Thank you, SaraKen Bondy - 8-22-2012 at 02:39 PM
That was so beautiful and very touching Sara!!Eli - 8-22-2012 at 04:34 PM
Thanks everyone for your kind words. Nice thing about Dogs, the Love we feel for them unite many of us.
I am left with the image in my mind of the few times Ol Dog made eye contact with me; after knowing him 3 summers, this was the first that he looked
up into my eyes, he had sweet doe eyes. Sure am glad I got to know those eyes, and the noble spirit projected in them, the memory of his look is my
reward for any kindness I ever showed him.durrelllrobert - 8-23-2012 at 11:10 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
I have never had to put down a dog ...it will be a sad day indeed when it happens ):
I've never had a
reason to put down my dog but I have been put down hundreds of times by other people so I know the feeling. Just kidding willyAirstream - 8-23-2012 at 11:26 AM
Very heart grabbing writing. Nice. Keep them coming.
Thanks. Tio