I have been thinking about this for a while now. How people can be influenced by a dog, even though they don't live with the dog.

For many years, I worked at Leerburg Kennel and was in contact with several wonderful dogs from both Leerburg and Kaiserhaus. When I worked in the kennel, I loved the dogs as if they were my own, and I would be sad when one passed on.

One particular female Malinois has impacted my life in many ways, even if she didn't live with me. Cindy's Aera van Joefarm is the mother of my two Mals, Toni and Cat. But she was more than that.

When Cindy first brought Aera to WI, we (the kennel staff) were all terrified of her. We didn't have much contact with her, so she didn't know us. Her bark was fearsome, indeed.

There is video somewhere on this website of Aera when she suffered from heat stroke. Cindy and I sponged her off with cool water and got her temp down. That was the first time I got Aera kisses. From that day on, Aera was a friend. A friend that I cherished.

I had the honor of getting to handle Aera when she spent time at the kennel. We would play in the yard, and I would get the evil eye if I tried to take away her teaser ball. Aera had great heart and love of life. If you were lucky enough to be in her small circle of friends, you knew you were special.

Aera passed away suddenly in May 2009 after routine spay surgery. It hit me pretty hard when she was lost. I turned to her daughters for comfort, and they rose grandly to the challenge. Aera's birthday is coming up on September 30 (her daughters turn 6 on the 11th), and though this wonderful dog didn't live with me, I don't think I will ever forget her. I can only hope that she will spare me a moment when I get to the Bridge, and perhaps give me a little kiss.

I was wondering if any of the other members here have been influenced by dogs that didn't actually live with them, and would love to hear the stories.

As always, thanks for listening

And thank you, Aera for your two beautiful daughters and the wonderful memories. You will never be forgotten.

--Kel

What a great (and sad and moving) story. I can totally relate to it.

When my friend and I worked in the Doberman kennel, I was introduced to the 'lord of the manor', a big stud called Durango. He was a big, solid chunk of Dobe (think stocky German line) and looked so incredibly fearsome, but he was the sweetest guy ever to his pals.

The first time I knocked on the door and heard the thunder of his running paws and his big booming voice, it made me pause before entering for sure. He was a wonderful guard dog.

He was also the sweetest, most gentle and loving animal you could ever hope to meet if he loved you, in addition to being beautiful. He would sit on your feet, lean against you and be your shadow just to be close. One of his most endearing qualities was his love of little puppies. His owners used to joke that he was the best mother in the house.

You couldn't look at his expressive, often humorous face or into his sparkling dark eyes without falling in love with him.

One night he was out in his outdoor run and he injured his spine very suddenly and very badly turning a sharp corner to go through a gate. In spite of weeks of all the best treatment and care, he could barely walk, was soiling himself and was in obvious pain. The tough decision was made to end his suffering.

My friend and I were were with him in the end, and felt so very fortunate to have known him. I will never, ever forget his sweet face.

My current dog is Durango's grandson, and sometimes I see glimpses of Durango in him.

I'm lucky(?) enough to have had a couple of dogs that colored my outlook of life.

One was a Burmese that kept getting loose (breaking it's tie out) and coming over to play with my last lab and generally just hang out. Nice dog; very biddable and just enjoyed being with someone. Ahem, the last time I heard of him 'someone' had cut his chain and 'stolen' him and he had a nice home in N.H.
Since then I given short shift to neglectful owners.

The other was a wonderful Newfie named Guinness. He and I had something between to two of us. Sometimes I take him straight home. Sometimes we'd take the long way and I'd take my GSD along for the walk. Usually though he'd just hang out because I was to busy until one of the owners came by because they knew where to find him.
He was the only other dog I ever seen Sadie willing to share me with. They were pretty good friends but I was the common denominator.
The 'real' owner was very jealous.

When I was a youngish child we lived next door to some very questionable neighbors. A couple of years ago I heard that the father had been put away for life for murder. I think they lived there for 5-6 years. They didn't have any dogs when they first came and they only had one puppy (almost positive she was pregnant, though) when the bank repoed their house. In the intervening years though, they had around 20 dogs (I can still name at least 13), not counting at least two litters of puppies born there. Except for two or three who may have run away, the others all died. I don't remember them intentionally abusing their animals (though they certainly may have), but the living conditions were umm, much less than ideal.
I loved almost all of their dogs; petted them, took them for walks (not at all difficult since most of the dogs were free to roam anyway), and even fed a few of them. The one that really affected me though, was a big yellow labby looking thing named Bear. I've wondered if he didn't have some sight hound in him as well because he just seemed so looong. He had a sister too, named Blacky, kind of a hyper-active nutty thing. I don't remember exactly what happened to her, but I think she died several months before he did. Bear, however, was the most patient, kind guy. He had a quiet dignity and yet could be a lot of fun at the same time. He loved getting attention, but never seemed to need it. I can only guess at how big he would have been, He had the most enormous paws though and at eight or nine months was already in the 50-60 lbs range.
He started getting really skinny, so I started feeding him from our dog food. At first he wolfed it down, but as the weeks passed he just kept getting weaker and weaker. Then one night he wouldn't eat at all. His sad eyes just said that he couldn't do it any more, and then I knew that there really was no hope. There was no way my parents could afford his vet care and his owners certainly weren't willing to do anything. I held him and cried hard that night. He died quietly a day or two later. I think I was about 10 at the time.

The other special dog that really comes to mind was Pala. I met him about 2 years ago while I was volunteering for a wonderful low-kill animal shelter. I was attempting to get a doggie "fix" because due to rent-rates, owning a dog was absolutely out of the question at the time. I was also pregnant at the time and just generally really low. Pala had a pretty neat story, but I was absolutley fascinated by him long before I heard it. Pala was originally found running loose in a stray dog pack on an Indian reservation. He was taken to the original shelter and then later evacuated to my shelter when the seasonal SoCal fires came through San Diego that year. Soon after he arrived he had to have orthopedic surgery on his knees, which the shelter paid for because they thought he was worth it. I met him soon after his rehabilitation was complete several months later. He was listed as a "lab mix", but his favorite toy was a giant herding ball and he had a wonderful white stripe down his black nose that screamed "border collie".
There was something that just made me stop and stare at him the first time I saw him, though. He had these magnificent yellow-brown eyes that just seemed to say "I am a prince of dogs, and I don't need a home to know it". He really was a big goof-ball who loved to play and wrestle, but he still had that dignity about him. I don't know if I've ever been that head-over-heels in love with any dog before. It came at a time when I was seriously wondering if my love for dogs wasn't more about the idea of dogs than really loving dogs for themselves. His therapy was pretty wonderful for me. Pala, amazingly, was at the shelter for almost a record amount of time, nearly a year I think. I'm almost ashamed to say I was heartbroken when he was finally adopted.

These are all really interesting and touching(Kelly, Kristin) stories.

I have one, but it is more of a sweet, cute story than a poignant
one.

When we lived in Houston before I had my male GSD. I would walk Kaia to this open soccer field for some Frisbee.
We would do a nice walk in that neighborhood before the fun and games at the park.
We would walk past this one house that had a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. This dog seemed to bark at every dog that passed by except for Kaia.
Then one day while we were at the park, his owner came over with him, asking if they could play along with us. His name was Oscar, and he was just smitten with Kaia. They played so well together. He would run to get the Frisbee in the air and Kaia, around 9 months old would keep up along side him.
But they just seemed to be more than best pals, they licked each other as if to give kisses for a greeting! LOL!
On our evening walks, we would walk past their metal gate, Oscar would wag his tail in eager anticipation of a fence visit and I kid you not, they would share kisses between the bars.
It was like a doggy love story, I swear.
He was a very handsome suitor if I do say so myself, very chiseled features, and oh that blondish short coat and that interesting ridge on his back.....
(love story music playing in the backround....) Oscar was like
Ryan O'Neal and Kaia like Ali Macgraw
Oscar is one thing we really miss about Houston. It would be so cute to see if they would remember each other after all this time being gone.
I have never seen a relationship like this ever between two dogs.
It was rather sweet.

Isn't it a strange coincidence that this is a Ridgeback named Oscar?? Just realized it now,no connection to Natalya's Oscar.

 Quote: randy allen

Ahem, the last time I heard of him 'someone' had cut his chain and 'stolen' him and he had a nice home in N.H.

When I was young I had to prove to my parents that I would take care of a dog if we got one. So while I was 'prooving' this, I would go from house to house in our neighborhood and ask if I could play with their dog. (Sounds a little psycho to type that.) So many have impacted my life.

Edited by aimee pochron (08/25/2010 10:23 PM)
Edit reason: typo

That sounds pretty good to me. What age was that?

I was about 10. Got a paper route to pay for the food and stuff, saved for about a year. My parents never did take the money. The first dog was a white female shep., she was shot in the head by her previous owner. My parents planned to get her to me earlier than the year, but her recovery took a little longer. Anyways she was a great dog.

I became pretty attached to the neighbor dogs. So everyday me and Sadie would round them up and go for a walk.

 Quote: aimee pochron

I was about 10. Got a paper route to pay for the food and stuff, saved for about a year. My parents never did take the money. ... I became pretty attached to the neighbor dogs. So everyday me and Sadie would round them up and go for a walk.

Good parents, Aimee!

These are some great stories everyone!! Awesome dogs and people

Isn't it amazing that a little time with a special dog will impact a person? I think this is why I do what I do with Drift.

Thanks!!!

--Kel