So when I met Frits and he came with the beautiful, but intimidating, Beau, mentioned earlier, our future together looked promising. Beau went everywhere with Frits including on our dates. Anyone approaching Frits’ truck quickly retreated when all 120 pounds of snarling dog threw himself against the closest window with little regard for any passenger in his line of fire. My mother’s shin bore the scar from one of these episodes until her dying day.
On one occasion Beau went visiting a neighbor who generously made the near disastrous decision to drive him home. He hopped willingly into the backseat of her car but would not allow her into the driver’s seat. No way was she going to open that door so with no other resource she called the police. Two officers with guns drawn approached the shaking car and ferocious animal and whipped open the door. One very meek pup jumped out only too happy to be out of that hot car.
As Beau aged we thought it time to find a puppy to raise along side him. Back in the day puppies were often free for the taking so it was not long before a Great Dane/Doberman cross joined us. From that point on two dogs with staggered ages were the norm. We had some wonderful dogs both large and small including a 150 pound Bouvier called Angus, and a silkie terrier we called Daisy.
But one of our most beloved was Chief. He and his six siblings were left at the humane society at just 5 weeks old on the very same day that I was there in search of a cat. Not finding just the right kitty and about to leave, these brand new puppies rushed over in their wire cage yelping and whining for attention. All, that is, but one very round golden pup who waddled from side to side much like some obese folk you see. He had the sweetest face and softest eyes and I knew I was hooked. I was ready to take him home that minute but until all animals are at least 8 weeks old, vaccinated and neutered they cannot be adopted. First they must be fostered giving the foster parent the pick of the litter.
No more discussion needed. Those seven puppies were delivered the next day with a large wire playpen, food, bowls and toys and other than the slight roll of the eyes, my husband joined in with enthusiasm
Our entry/mud room had a tiled floor and was large enough to accommodate a 5 foot, round pen that we lined with newspaper. These little bundles of joy happily ate, pooped, played and slept their way through the next four weeks developing very distinct personalities. Frits and I were on constant poop patrol, swiftly changing the sheets before 28 little paws could track said poop all over themselves and their brothers and sisters. They were easily distinguishable from each by their markings and coloring. What was most remarkable was their parentage. It was claimed that their mother was a English Springer Spaniel / Rottweiler cross and their father was a Pekingese! Hard to believe that this could even have happened yet traits of all three dogs could be seen in these puppies. The two golden ones were Chief and his sister Toffee. Clearly Chief had the spaniel’s domed head and love of water, the Rottweiler broad body and the squatty legs and flowing coat of a Pekingese. Others were black and tan like the Rottweiler or black and silky like a spaniel.
Often during the day two or three puppies came out at a time to run around and socialize with Lucy, our Fox Terrier. It was November so play was confined to the house. Everything went in their mouths so watching both ends to minimize the puddles and furniture chewing kept us on our toes. The whole experience was great fun but it was somewhat of a relief when the time came to return them all for their shots and neutering. A day later we officially adopted Chief and enjoyed him well into his sixteenth year. In this photo he still looks puppyish at 15.
More dog talk later
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