Stray dog

This is a very true story about a dog I once owned.  Read and learn if you need to.1

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Going to the town's shelter for homeless dogs, I was lonely and a bit intimidated going through the door.  So many to see.  I was not there to pick up a dog, but to help myself with my current station in life.  I was considering drug treatment at the time and this looked a promising alternative.3

I did not know at the time that I would be opening myself for some of the best times as well as some of the worst times in my life.  Would I go back and change the decision to visit that day?  Probably not as that would mean not having the love a special shaggy dog brought my life.  So that means I take the bite I received from the one who should have been in quarantine.  Though I did not know it at the time, dogs are a lot like people.4

I am  going to tell you something, stray dogs should always be grateful when taken to a new home.  I do not think the stray I am speaking of knows this.  That is not he point, I learned something very valuable.5

There was this Saint Bernard sized dog who was very persistent in his affection  for me.  As I had recently been accosted at a local park, I thought this dog would be a great addition to my family.  Looks can be so deceiving.  I moved in to a new apartment and took this dog with me.  It seems to me that I was receiving warnings from the previous owner but did not pay attention.  "He will turn on you  in an instant."  I was told by some who even knew of his history.  Yet, he was so darn cute and had these eyes that looked at me and made unspoken promises.  Surely my judgment could not be so wrong.  Could it?6

Not long into the relationship with this Gargantua of a dog, I learned, or should have, the thing the other owner was speaking of.  One day, through jealousy, I now know, he bit me with paws that would not seem to quit.  I sent him away but he returned with the plea in his green eyes.  I let him in.  7

To try to make this story as short as possible let me just say that for almost four years, I would continually bail him  out of the pound, retrieve him from houses he would wander off to, and continually turn other, not quite as big but much more lovable dogs.  One in particular was a mangy looking mutt who was really quite small.  Yet, one day from down the block he heard fear in my voice and came running to my rescue.   In no time at all the man who was hassling me got in his car and left.  This little guy even jumped between my son and I when he almost hit me.  He never did that when the little Terrier was around.  One man thought he would make advances on me only to be dismayed when I told him to leave and I had the little, adorable guy to back me up.8

As I so often do,  I let the big dog back home as I feared he would not get out of the pound this time.  He chased off the Terrier.  I soon found that big dog was a lost cause as he kept running off.  9

One day I decided to hunt for the Terrier and made big dog leave.  I had backup even.  As I was cleaning the kennel for the Terrier I so loved, I saw him and big dog going down the tracks together.10

Suddenly the train stopped.  There had been an accident.  Everyone says big dog walked Terrier to a house.  I have my doubts as Terrier was crushed by the train that day.  I think big dog knew I was serious this time.11

Though I still do not let the biter back in my house, I miss the little guy so much that I have yet to replace him with another.12

What is the moral here?  Several.  If you are a dog, stay close to home.  You will not always be bailed out of the pound or chased down when you stray.13

If you are the owner, know that the big dogs may seem more protective or better looking but the loyalty of the less attractive little guy can gain you man/woman's best friend for life.14

Do not do as I did and realize it too late.  For every owner has her day.  I missed mine.....15