Originally Posted by
Suki Wingy
I will post what I have about my dog on my site
Where his story and my story become our story begins on June 15, 2000 at the Anti-Cruelty Society, or SPCA of Chicago. He was anywhere between 6 months and 8 months old, a medium sized, well behaved and submissive puppy. His history was that he was too much for his elderly hispanic caretaker to handle. Lucky for me. I saw him through the window of the shelter as I was getting out of the car. I said to my mom, "Look at that cute one mom, marked like an English Setter, I want to check him out.
We walked into the foyer of the familiar building. Last time I had been there I was tearfully accompanying my step-dad to surrender our 1 year old unilateral, odd-eyed black Dalmatian; Layla. She had very bad separation anxiety and was a bad fear biter. Her worst fear in life was to be perminently abandonned in a strange place. That's exactly what we were doing that day and I knew it. Although I was only 9 years old, my heart was scarred.
There I was, a 10 year old girl walking in on the rest of my life. I was full of adrenaline, shaking with anticipation as my mom and sister and I waited for the behaviourist. This time around we were "Doing it right". My mom was losing hope. If this rescue, which had been our 3rd in just under a year failed to fit without any major problems, we would take the easy route and contact an experienced breeder. The Behaviourest lead us around the central desk and to the right, through a door that read above it, "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas." I felt reasured and heavy hearted reading this. I wanted this one to be for life but Clark and Layla were more like for a test-drive. The behaviourist walked us around and watched how each dog interacted with us. Niņo was the only A+ in that category. Excited to see us, interested but not overly emotional toward us. We took him out in the courtyard and I walked him. Over the barking dogs I misheard his name "Nino" and "Leeno". I though, "What an interesting name you have, Leeno! I like you but you need some leash manners! We all liked him, and my step-dad came and he also approved of him. We went back into the dog room to be sure and took out a few timid shepherd mixes that all resembled coyotes. Beautiful but none of them appealed to me. The Behaviourest told us that the timidness could prove a problem with the kids and considering our history we better not.
Just as we were making one last round in the dog room we came across a cropped and docked adult boxer (as well as a few other dogs) in a remote corner. Spike also passed the test, and he had been surrendered from a family where the 12 year old girl was expected to be responsible for him and his needs. The children in his past family almost matched ages with us, plus he was trained. But he was also 8 years old, and managed to almost knock my step-dad down. He was only in for 2 days, and a purebred so he had a high chance of adoption. Niņo, on the other hand, had been there for 3 weeks and hadn't ever been considered for adoption once yet. I cried and hugged Spike as I made the decision and told my mom to stop filling out Spike's adoption application, we had to take Niņo. I explained to her why and she said she was thinking the same thing. We switched papers, and went sownstairs to wait for the news. When we got approved I was crying! A DOG! A DOG! Finally!
And so, today, after 6 years of love, joy, pain, hardships, I enjoy the company of my mutt. My "Betta Bully." My betta litter sibling as he sees himself in the "pack". He thinks he's the older babysitter to my two sisters, mom and dad are alpha pair, and I'm his dominant littermate. With dogs he takes a stiff, forward, bullying posture, but he won't fight, he's betta at heart. A little love bug. What he doesn't know is for all a 'soul' means, he holds mine. Protector and carrier of my soul, without him I would cease to be. To me 'soul' is what makes you, what drives you, your feelings, your emotions, so basically your emotional being or self. The only word for that is 'soul'. That is a very earthly way to channel my concience, and devotion. I don't believe in anything spiritual, and I am perfectly happy that way. Some have god, I have my dog.
Needless to say, Zoey became a dream dog!! When she was 3yrs old, i got pregnant with my son. at first we were so scared of how she would react, but were pleasantly suprised!! She was a awsome mother!!! She would spend all of her time with my son after he was born, she would be near him, everywhere! If he started crying he would just stare at me, as if to ask what the heck did I do to him!! he he he! She was very protective of "her" boy! she was very wary if strangers would get too close. But she was a great girl!! Sadly we had to make a horrendous decision when Zoey was 4 yrs old! Zoey was having troubles getting around, and would yelp alot when she would stand up, so we took her to a vet, they took many x-Rays, and told us that she had severe Arthritis in her spine, and that she wouldnt be able to walk if we didnt do something! So we had her on pain meds, took her to other vets to get their opinion, and even consulted about surgery! But sadly we had to make the horrid decision to put her suffering to an end!! Zoey will always be in my heart!! (I wish I could post some pics, but all i have are ones on film, and my scanner for some reason isnt working!!)
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