Home ⇔ Family ⇔  Photos ⇔  Stories ⇔  People ⇔  Links

Casey

We got Casey, at 7 weeks old, because Tobi was alone for several hours each day. So to relieve her anxiety I found Casey. Of course Tobi only saw an interactive chew toy! Tobi would chase Casey all over the house. Casey would run under the coffee table, which had sides on it, and hide from Tobi. This happened for weeks, as Tobi demonstrated her status as the alpha leader of the crew.

Once Casey began growing and could no longer get under the coffee table, she began to defend herself. Don't get me wrong, there was never anything vicious, it was just dogs being dogs. But Casey let Tobi know that she would not be pushed around like when she was a puppy.

It wasn't long after that the two began playing together, and more importantly lifelong friends. When one would run out and explore, you can be sure the other was right on the others tail.

Runaways

It happened in 2000, shortly after moving to Denver. Austin, my brother, the dogs and I went to a dog park on Jason and Alameda. Anyone who knows this area knows there are many geese by the South Platte River. Well they saw them immediately. my brother, Austin decided that they would enjoy a quick run along the South Platte bike trail. And they sure did. When Austin opened the back door of the Jeep they were off like a shot.

I ran after them for a few minutes then got back in the Jeep to look for them. Austin began following the trail south and calling them. There was still some snow on the ground and he was able to follow their tracks for about a mile and a half until there was no snow left for tracking. Austin kept walking and looking for the dogs, until he got to Evans Avenue.

Meanwhile I was in the Jeep, nearly in tears. I got so nervous that ended up driving home after a while. Salvation! On my voice mail was a message from a lady stating she had Tobi. Casey wasn't with her, although when I told her there was another dog she went back out and looked for her and found her!! I went and picked up the girls, then set about finding my brother, whom I was not pleased with. I found him walking back north along Ruby Hill Park. I was so mad at him, yet so happy to have the dogs back that I picked him up and after reading him the riot act, I forgave him. I think he learned his lesson.

Casey has been an amazing dog. She has a small hip problem now but still loves to play fetch. She thinks she is a lap dog, and that can be a little painful. She is completely spoiled and I wouldn't have it any other way! Casey will hop up on the couch next to you, place her head on you lap, and look up at you with those big brown sad puppy dog eyes. It just melts your heart. Then there are the times you just want to strangle her! That was never really a problem. Since Casey was a pup, she has been an absolute sweetie. I think she saw how Tobi acted and was like "I'm not gonna do that", although she would if she thought she wouldn't get caught. Or if Tobi instigated something. Casey is a follower and not a leader.

Buddy

Mr B, Big Guy, Bear or just plain old Buddy. He answers to pretty much all. Buddy found us after the story you just read above here. We tried to get Buddy back to his owners, by posting flyers, lost dog ads at the kennels and with the Rocky Mountain News. Buddy would be left in the yard so if the owners located him they could get him anytime. After a month we gave up and decided to keep him. He went to the vet and was neutered, and all his shots were updated. Now the dog count was 3! What were we thinking!

Buddy was terrified of nearly everything. Wade was cleaning one day and he grabbed the broom - Buddy cowered and hid in the corner. A stick of any kind would illicit the same response. It took allot of time, patience and positive reinforcement to get him to the point where he felt comfortable around us.

Protector

Buddy became the guard dog of the home, and more importantly of me. Buddy was and is still very protective. Even Wade and Austin must be on their best behavior when near us. When I go to the store or run errands I take Buddy with. You don't even need to lock the car with him in it! No one in their right mind comes near when they see him ready to strike.

I was picking up Wade one night with the Jeep. Buddy was in the back, in his usual spot, laying down. When Wade approached the car Buddy began growling. Wade made the mistake of having his hood up on his sweatshirt and buddy didn't recognize him. When Wade opened the door - WHAM - he had Buddy's teeth in his wrist. After that wade always made sure he identified himself to Buddy before opening the car door.

Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS)

Buddy was diagnosed with Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS) in 2006. I was walking Buddy one morning and he stepped into drainage grate. A few minutes later, still walking Buddy and talking to my brother, Austin on the phone, Buddy bumped into a light post. When I mentioned that, Austin said in a half serious, half joking tone "maybe he's blind." Well later that day Buddy was diagnosed with SARDS.

Buddy has been an amazing pet and he continues to impress us all with his ability to sense what is around him. He responds so well to commands. When he gets excited while walking or running, a simple "slow" command and he slows to a crawl. Steps, climbing onto the couch, up into a vehicle are no problem as long as the person giving the commands has their timing down properly. In fact last summer (2007), at the lakes Buddy went swimming for the first time since he went blind. Wade would splash water around and Buddy would swim toward the noise!

Petunia

Petunia - what can you say about a cat? It's all been said, and it's all true. Petunia was a street cat at birth and came around Auntie Biscuit (Janet) for the occasional saucer of milk and some lunch. After a few weeks Petunia was living with Janet and her roommates. I came down to Denver to visit friends and see the Rocky Mountains in the summer of 2000. I met Petunia and fell in love, so I crated her up and brought her back to St. Paul with me. It started off rough - Tobi and Petunia did NOT get along, and being a street cat she was not about to take any grief from Tobi. On more than one occasion Tobi would find herself nursing a bloody nose caused by Petunia.

It finally came to a climax one day when Tobi and Petunia were fighting. They were both cornered and put in Tobi's kennel with the thought that either: A) One would kill the other or B) They would learn to get along. After about 3 hours locked in the kennel together those two came to an understanding. Tobi wouldn't chase Petunia as much and Petunia wouldn't claw Tobi's eyes out. Kind of a mutual agreement from the two. the result? The picture above.

Petunia has been quite the little traveler. She has lived in Lakewood CO, St. Paul MN, Denver CO, Hot Springs SD, Fargo ND and Wheat Ridge CO. In all her travels, nothing makes her happier than going outside and roaming the neighborhood. One night she got in a fight with what I think was a fox (we have many in our area). I woke up to a whirl wind of activity on the back porch. Hissing, growling, patio chairs being knocked over, etc. Casey began Barking and scared whatever it was off. When I went outside, Petunia was inside a roll of carpet and was in pretty bad shape. It took some coaxing but she finally came out. I cleaned her up and gave her a bath. Amazingly there were no injuries other than just superficial. I don't know what the outcome usually is in a situation like this - I assume usually the fox wins - but this time Petunia came away with at least a draw. Since that happened she is very cautious about being out at night and most night decides to come in just after dark.

 

10 Promises Between Me and My Dog

1. Please enjoy your life with me.


2. Place your trust in me. It's crucial to my well-being.


3. Please never forget I have my own feelings.


4. When I don't want to do what you want, I have a reason.


5. Talk to me a lot. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand you.


6. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of you but that I choose not to bite you.


7. Take care of me when I get old.


8. My life is likely to last about ten years. Please try to find time staying with me as much as you can.


9. You have your school and your friends. I have only you.


10. When I'm passing away, please be with me. And, remember that I love you.

 

This site has been created for the loving memory of Tobi, German Shorthaired Pointer, loving dog of Angela, Wade and Austin.
Designed by AJ Consolidated LLC. Copyright 2008