There’s a New Dog in Town

I took a few photos of my favorite dog related things I’ve encountered on my walks around the neighborhood.

Somehow, I always read this “Dogs Please Close the Gate” sign as instructions to the dogs, and it makes me laugh.

Which one is Lola and which one is Shades?  These St. Bernards are quite an amusing sight when their big heads make an appearance.

I’ve seen this “Who rescued who” sticker on a number of vehicles:

I was going to crop the photo, but noticed that the part of the license plate I captured fits my theme.

But my favorite thing to look at when I’m walking is this:

As you’ve undoubtedly guessed, this post is about my new dog, Sparky.

I wasn’t looking for a dog.  I was going to a new store in the strip mall across the street from the IHOP where I had lunch with my stepmom. I happened to see him in a pen with other rescue dogs outside of the Petco store two doors down.  My eyes were drawn to a cute little dog’s face with cheetah-like black markings, and I just kept looking at him until the lady asked me if I wanted to meet him.  I said yes, and I ended up taking him home that same day.

I forgot how much energy a younger dog has!  The paperwork I was given categorizes him as a pekingese mix a little over 1 year old.  I think he  looks like a long haired chihuahua or papillon mix, and I suspect by looking at his teeth that he is more likely 2 or 3 years old.  I asked the rescue lady for his history, and she told me that another rescue didn’t have room for him and asked if she could take him. So he has been bounced around from home to home several times.

Sparky is the most responsive dog I’ve ever had, in that to correct him I only have to make an “uh uh” sound, and he stops what he’s doing.  He plays with his toys, but never grabs and runs off with my stuff.  Pepper was part terrier, and was very strong willed – barking at neighbors, the mailman and the UPS truck, tearing lizards apart, and defying my authority, so I was ready for an “easy” dog.  This guy just wants to be a companion, and to be bonded to his person. He is the sweetest little creature, and I can’t believe anyone could let him go, because I sure couldn’t.

How Pepper Found his Voice- A Dog Story

I don’t know my dog’s date of birth or any information about how he came to be homeless.  His age was estimated when he was picked up and admitted to the shelter.  So I celebrate his adoption day each year.

Seven years ago I was in need of a dog. At the county shelter, I entered the doors that led to a row of dogs.  I saw a small black and white dog alone and read that was his first day at the shelter.  All of the other dogs were close to the front of their enclosures but he was way at the back.  I started talking to him and tried to coax him to come nearer.  He started to come over and over again, but was scared to cross the hump at the center divider.  I don’t know why I didn’t move on and look at the rest of the dogs.  I sat there and talked to the dog without a name.  I talked softly to him until he finally found the courage to come up to the bars.  I put a hold on him, but there was a 5 day waiting period to allow someone to claim him before he would be available for adoption.

When I came back, he was right up front like the others.  That’s the day I snapped my first photo of him.  His tag looked enormous on his small body.

I signed the adoption agreement and named him Pepper.  They put a new sign on his cage that he was adopted and would be neutered the next morning. He would be ready to leave that afternoon after recovery time.

Finally I could take him home!   I introduced him to his new life with a house and yard to explore, toys, and blankets.  As our first days together passed and we got to know each other, one thing about him stood out.  I never heard him bark.  When the mailman was at the door he didn’t make a sound or even move; he just looked at me with wide eyes.  I began to think something was wrong and he couldn’t bark.  What had he been through?

One day we were taking a walk, and suddenly he barked at some loud kids across the street.  He had a voice!  And thereafter he barked at the mailman, the UPS man, and anyone walking by his house.  He knew this wasn’t just some place he was staying– this was his home and he would protect it.  He was home for good and not alone anymore.

He discovered the world of fashion:

Posing in his youth, and now in maturity…

My little dog with the big bark.