Monday, June 16, 2014

To All the Dogs I've Loved Before

This sign is displayed in the veterinarian's office, and I photographed it last week when I was there with one of the cats.

The sign got me to thinking about all the dogs I've owned and loved over the years, so I gathered a few photos to share today.

The first dog at our house that I remember was a Shepherd mix named Tony, but I don't have a picture of him. Before that, when I was a baby, my sister also had a dog named Polly. I think she was an Eskimo Spitz.
Daisy was the dog we had when I was a child. When she was several months old my sister decided her name should be Lady, so she was called both, poor girl! She was a very sweet Collie mix.

Pee-Wee was a Chihuahua I "inherited" from a family member who could no longer keep her. She was the first house dog I ever had. She was a sweet sweet little girl, terrified of storms and extremely loyal. (1960s)

I had a love affair with Cocker Spaniels, and Nugget was the first one I got. Unfortunately, at 7 months old she darted out the front door into the street under the wheels of a passing car. (early 1970s)

Another shot of Nugget being spoiled by her Mommy.

After losing Nugget, my second Cocker was Gamby --who had a beautiful black and shiny coat. This was the first and only time I took my dog to a photographer's studio. 

Molly was another sweetie (aren't they all??) (1980s).  

Molly and the first cat I owned, Fibber.

Tracker was the first Golden Retriever in my life ( 1990s). We got him at 8 weeks and he didn't know he was a dog. He had his own car. No, really, I mean it! He's shown here, ready for his twice daily ride.

Tracker

Rex, another Golden, was a rescue dog. He had a somewhat difficult time adjusting to life at our house but eventually turned into a sweet and loving dog. He adored water; is shown here in his kiddie pool.

Rex's favorite thing in the whole world was to ride in the back of a pick-up truck. Whenever it was driven around the property he'd hop up and be content to stay as long as chores were under way.

And then Val came into our lives. Also a rescue, she is as near the perfect pet as I've ever had.

And most every time she goes outside, she brings a leaf offering.

And then Kris joined Valerie in our home. What a sweet and devoted pet; I cannot take one step without him on my heels.

Val and Kris.

Each dog I've owned is still in my heart, etched into my memory for all the pleasurable moments they provided.Which of the dogs you've owned do you love best? The one/ones you have right now of course!

21 comments:

  1. Gosh, you've been lucky to have so many pets! I only have had a few (I wrote about them here
    http://shelleyshouse.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/creature-comforts.html)
    We keep talking about getting another dog, but it doesn't happen. Maybe one day...

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    1. They are a responsibility, expense and tie you down. For me, the pleasures of owning dogs outweighs the negatives.

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  2. Dear Sanda,
    Such a loving post, it brought a lump to my throat.. How wonderful that you have such great photos of your dogs.
    They are all lovely dogs .
    I too have had loving animals that I lost.
    One day I hope to see them in Heaven.
    Faithful all the way.. never angry..just loving.. I do miss them.
    I can remember 7 passed and gone.
    I have 4 loving dogs at the moment.. I darst not think of when they will leave me. As one gets older, they are such wonderful companions.
    Mummy looks very pretty too in the photos..
    Happy days Sanda.
    val xx

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    1. You and I have had a similar number of dogs! It has broken my heart every time I lost one but the best cure is to get another one. Neither of my parents were dog lovers but both my sister and it adore dogs. With four, I'm sure they keep you busy, Valj. If I won the lottery I'd adopt every dog and place them on hundreds of fenced acres with caretakers so they would live a long and happy life.

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  3. How sweet! I knew and loved them all. I thought Tracker was my favorite until Val came along and now there's Kri swho got into my heart! They are great companions. My Lab, Big Ben, has to be my favorite one who is getting old now. Some great pictures of you!

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    1. All my dogs have loved you. They. Sense who's their friend you've had quite a few yourself and all were sweet, even tiny Pepper who was always so ill. Ben is the best.

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  4. It is lovely that you have so many gorgeous photos of yourself with nearly all of your dogs. Loved seeing all of the beautiful photos of you.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary. I've had a wonderful journey with my dogs. And was happy I could locate pictures of them to post here. I need to add one of me with the current two but I don't seem to have one. I will remedy that soon.

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  5. What a beautiful series of photos, Sanda, of you and the dogs. They are all lovely pets, obviously very well loved and cared for. A very enjoyable post, thank you.

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    1. I do take good care of my animals, Patricia. They are members of the family! Glad you enjoyed the post.

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  6. Awww :) What a sweet post. Pets add so much joy to our lives, don't they!

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    1. I do believe pets add to our well-being. I'd be lost without one or more.

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  7. I like this post.
    You have had many dogs, my oh my!
    You know, that I like your GRs best. Because: They look like dogs. I also like their temperament, which is close to my FCR, Morty.
    I like flatties best, because they are always happy, active and oh, so beautiful.
    The flattie´s activeness might cause problems, so I would not openly recommend this wonderful breed for everyone.

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    1. The Goldens have the best disposition of any breed I've owned. I would not casually recommend ownership of them to just anyone because of their desire to always want to be with their owner I can't imagine a Golden not being inside the house all the time! Plus, they shed and you just have to want them badly enough to put up with and deal with the hair. I would think you don't have the hair problem with the flat coat retriever?

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    2. Maybe flatties shed less/ or maybe the regular washing and grooming lessens it..
      I wear a lot of black and finally - my eyesight is not as sharp as it used to be years ago ; ).

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  8. So when you owned Fibber and Molly at the same time, was their last name...McGee? ;) All pretty dogs. The pet I love the most is whatever one I own at the time.

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    1. Yes, Patricia J. The cat's name was indeed Fibber McGee!! He was a wonderful and beautiful boy. I never thought I was a cat person, as well as a dog person, until I got Fibber. He was a stray who found me.

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  9. Enjoyed seeing you throughout the years with your various dogs. My family had a dog when I was young, we had a dog when my girls were growing up. That's it. I like them but don't really have the yard room they should have.

    Darla

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    1. Unless it's a very small dog they do need a bit of space. My big dogs need a lot of space to run and exercise. They are so good about knowing their boundaries. I don't have to walk them on a lead.

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  10. What a great collage of doggie memories your photos would make.I have always had standard wire-hair dachies.The latest rascal is a mini wire very wilful but so loving.

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    1. Judith I'm so glad you got little Oska. He is such a cutie. I could make a collage, couldn't i? That's an idea. Thanks!

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