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Cool Dogs
About 3 years ago I lost my dog Jessica (the first Jessica). She was 12 years old and was part Labrador and part Chow. Jessica was a stray that was given to me by a friend of my dad's. Jessica was with me for 12 years and was wonderful company. She was all black in color, medium sized with short hair and cute brown eyes. She developed arthritis in her later years and then had some problems eating. Finally, I decided to put her down rather than put her through tests and have her suffer anymore. I knew when I looked into her eyes that it was time and she knew too. I remember the last day that I spent with her. We sat in the yard together and I talked to her about all of the good times we had. I still miss her today but I know that she went to doggie heaven when she was put down and is no longer in pain. For a long time after that I did not want to get another pet. It can be so painful to imagine going through a loss again, but in reality a new pet is the best medicine. As mentioned on my home page I have two horses, and I was at the barn one day getting ready to ride. My friend Kathy's son drove up in the car and out he came with Zoey. Kathy told me that Zoey needed a new home and asked me if I wanted her. I looked at Zoey and she looked at me and it was love at first sight ! I knew she was supposed to be mine. She is so adorable ! Zoey is one of those pets that is really like having a little baby. She is loveable and is a cuddle bug. I never had a dog like that and really needed it. It is an amazing story of how she came to me. Kathy's son Chris, was out one night and met this young couple that started talking to him about this puppy they had. They told him that they adopted her but found out that their landlord would not let them keep her. They needed to find a new home for her and asked Chris if he knew of anyone. At the time, Chris did not think of me and his mom has lots of pets. He gave them his phone number anyway. The couple continued to call Chris and ask him if he knew anyone, almost like he was supposed to take her. Finally one day the called and asked to meet with him. They had the puppy, all her toys, food and papers and asked him to take her. He didn't know what to do so he took her. He thought his mom was at the barn so he figured he would drive there with Zoey. I have only seen Chris at the barn maybe 3 times over the last 3 or 4 years. I was at barn that day when he jumped out of the car with the dog. I looked at Zoey and said, "I'll take her !" This was from a distance. Sometimes things happen for a reason and Zoey was definitely a gift to me. She is a very affectionate dog and loves attention. She loves to stare at me with eyes filled with adoration. What could be better than that? At first, when she would stare it sort of freaked me out but now I am used to it. She just loves me so much. There is this unconditional love that we receive from our pets that I believe we need to learn to share with people.
Jessica was born at the barn where I board my two horses. Don't you love her baby picture ! She is a purebred Australian Shepherd born on July 15, 2007. She was named after the my pet that I lost a few years ago. She is mostly black in color and has a white chest with some white on her belly. Tan and white on her legs is what makes her a "tri". She has a very strong willed personality, as was evident when she was born.
Karma, her mother, was ready to give birth and Jessica decided that she was going to be the first one out. She actually pushed so hard that she flew out of her mother into the kennel of another female dog. My friend Kathy came out of the barn and found Patches, her dog, licking my puppy. At first she thought it was a rat or mouse that Karma was licking and ran over to find out it was one of Karma's puppies. Thankfully, Patches instinctively knew what to do and was licking her to clean her. Kathy was able to get the puppy out and give her back to her mother. Karma then gave birth to 6 other puppies. Since Zoey was so attached to me I was concerned about how she would react to a new family member. Zoey really needed a friend. I can remember the first day we put them together. I was so nervous and it was really a humorous interaction between the two ! Zoey did not know how to play and Jessica taught her. Zoey just stood there and did not know what to do and finally learned all the ropes. I never had two dogs so it was a challenge for me to understand dog behavior. Later on I will post some information for those of who are considered adding a second pet to your family. Jessica is a joyful addition to the family and Zoey is thrilled to have a new friend.
Big Dog Crafting
All About Puppies
Your Purebred Puppy
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