Down Memory Lane

WOW!! 

 What fun I had reading the comments and emails that were generated from yesterday's blog post.  I love when you share your tales with me... I really do!   Interestingly, there seem to be three camps amongst us... the dog lovers, the cat lovers, and the anything-with-fur-and-and-feathers lovers.  I suppose you already know that I do fall into that third category.  I have loved so many critters over the years - and with some of them I have felt a deep soul connection.  And I would also have to admit that although I adore all of our cats... and yes, Jim (from yesterday's comments) we have seven cats on the farm (well, actually 7 ½)... more on this later...


So, although I adore those cats, it is most definitely the dogs with whom I connect on a deeper level.  Perhaps it is the fact that our dogs' whole lives center around us that gives me this feeling.  Let's face it, as wonderful and loving as cats can be... aren't they just a little more independent than dogs?  And seriously, don't you get the idea that we are here to serve the pleasure of our cats? 

I never get this vibe from dogs.  Dogs - at least the dogs that we have loved - live for sharing space and time with us.  Whatever it is we decide to do with the dogs is immediately their favorite thing and their enthusiasm is overwhelming.

When we are gone from home for any period of time, it is the dogs that excitedly greet us at the door and shower us with affection... assuring us that our return home was the very best thing that ever happened to them... EVER!  

I thought it might be fun to take a trip down memory lane to visit the dogs that have filled our lives with so much love.

 In case you missed this fact... Hubbs and I have a blended family.  We have been together for the past 20 years.  In those years we have always had canine companionship.  At one point, our canine family numbered 5 - due, in part, to a few rescues we could not turn away!  While five dogs sounds like a lot - somehow it just worked.  At the time, it all just felt natural.  

We began life on the farm with the first two dogs... Sadie and Maddie.  Sadie was a quirky Bernese Mountain Dog, 

and Maddie was a Newfoundland. 

 To this day I would tell you that my favorite dog breed is the Newfoundland!

Maddie was the perfect farm dog.  She was gentle with all of the animals...

even motherly towards the pigs when they were just babies.

Our third addition was Oakley... 

a rescue lab/spaniel mix.  Best farm dog, ever! 

In short order came Hickory... our elder rescue... (who loved to go for walks around the farm in her very own chariot)

and Sam... (we lost Sam last year... sadly)

Upon losing the older three, we adopted three-month old Annie,

 a rescue who is still with us.  She is now eight years old.

as is Chester, now five...

seen, here, as a puppy.  Thankfully, he grew into those ears!

We've been so lucky with all of our dogs that they were always respectful of the farm animals.  Hopefully our next rescue will follow suit!

By the way... (Jim)... as for that half cat I spoke of... This is Half-Cat-Pat.  He/she calls the barn home, but is still too shy to allow us to get near.  

Yesterday I found her/him lying on top of the refrigerator under the heat lamp, but she/he made a hasty exit up into the hayloft upon seeing me.


Over the years, I have written so many stories about our dogs.  Feel free to type any of their names in the search bar at the top of this blog... for more stories about each of them!
And thanks so much for sharing your stories with me!!


Comments

daisy g said…
Dogs are masters of unconditional love. They are great teachers to us mere mortals.
Dogs tend to be pack animals of course and I believe that is why they have different relationships with us than cats. They seem to view us as the leaders of their pack. They also tend to show unconditional love. With cats it seems we are here for their pleasure and to serve them. So it seems. I am an all around animal lover. Though kitties tend to trigger allergies so we don't have them. We tend to have had Boston bulldog/terriers in the past. I hope to get our next pup at a rescue.
Ann said…
These kind of stories and pictures always bring tears to my eyes. All the loving and the letting go when it was time. Thank you for sharing each of them.

On another note, as I was out doing chores this morning I thought of you and wondered what kind of gloves you use to keep your hands from freezing. This morning was brutal and I realized (again) that I need to find a pair that can keep my hands functioning without going numb, if there is such a thing. Thank you!
Diane said…
I really enjoy your posts about your dogs.
That photo of Maddie with baby Ginger and Mary Ann is adorable.
This N That said…
I have the exact opposite experience. Mollie, my dog is always off by herself. I always say she is not a warm fuzzy. Zoe my cat, Happily runs to greet me when I open the door. Actually she runs to greet everybody. I think this scenario is the most uncommon. You have had some wonderful dogs and I sincerely hope that the new edition is just as great. Hugs
Lynne said…
Loved this . . .
All the love you have given and they have given.
Interesting comment from Missy, her experience
with Mollie being the distant one and Zoey the opposite.
I think it is what I miss the most, Snickers
being at the door when I arrived home.
All the loving and letting go . . .
Looking forward to meeting your next . . . ❤️
Marcia LaRue said…
I just love all the animals and have to admit that both my Pug was an enthusiastic greeter and, when I had the cats ... so were they! My Maine Coon cat, Feather, was especially vocal and would tell me about her day. Lordy, how I miss that one!
Junebug said…
Love this post of revisting all the pups. Of course you know Saddie was my favorite! I lost my sweet Duncan 3 weeks ago. The house is so quiet and no one greets me when I get home. He like my last 3 dogs were rescue. I know a new love is in my future, but taking a little time for the right one.
Karen said…
We had nine dogs, six cats, two geese - not all that long ago it seemed - it all worked and we felt so very lucky! ALL rescues . . . we now one one dog and one cockatiel (we just lost Jilly the cat last week). It is SO empty here . . . so visiting your loves every day is such a joy!
THE BEARDED ONE said…
I HAD 3 FAVORITE DOGS...THE FIRST MY FIRST BORDER COLLIE WAS 100% A TRUE LADY...AND THAT WAS HER NAME...SHE REALY GOT ANGRY AT ME WHEN I PIOTCHED HER INTO THE CREEK...SHE WOULD NOT GET HER FEET WET...SHE LOOKED AT ME W/AA UNHAPPY FACE...CAME OUT OF THE WATER AND SHOOK OFF RIGHT BESIDE ME...SMILING, MY WIFE BARBARA LAUGHED AND SAID YO SURE DESERVED THAT...THEN SHE WENT ONTO THE SUNA ND LAID DOWN UNTIL SHE WAS DRY...I NEVER DID THAT AGAIN..HEART WORMS TOOK HER LIFE...I HAD A WHIRE W/BLACK SPOTS NAMED CRICKET AND SHE WAS A JEWELL...IF I WAS GONE AN SOMEONE DROVE UP WHOM SHE DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE CAR/TRUCK..SHE WOULD OUT LET THEM OUT OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL BARBARA SAID IT'S OKAY CRICKET..THEN SHE WOULD STAND BETWEEN THE VISITOR AND BHB...I ALSO BOUGHT A PURE BREAD BORDER COLLIE AND AFTER CRICKET DIED...LADY WOULD DO EXACTLY THE SAME THING...THE THIRD DOG WAS A PURE BORDER COLLIE I RAISED FROM THE FIRST LADY...AND GAVE HER TO ME DADDY...HE PROTECTED THEM JUST LIKE MY CRICKET AND LADY DID MY WIFE...HE DIED OF OLD AGE...I HAVE TWO PUPS NOW AND THEY ARE PLAYFUL AND DO NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION HEART THAT 3 OF THEM DID...I LOVED MY HORSES TOO...JUST GOT TO EXPENSIVE TO KEEP UP...SOLD THEM AND STILL MISS THEM 20 YEARS LATER !! ..THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE EFFORT AND TIME YOU GIVE TO THESE GREAT PIC AND POST...YOU ARE SURE A SUPER FINE AND ARTISTIC LADY AND YOU SURE HAVE A WOAY W/WORDS !!! KEEP SMILING !!!!!
What a fun post to go back in time and reminisce with all your beautiful, loveable dog pals. I remember Maddie so well! I forgot that you had a black and white kitty that comes around to stay warm. I hope s/he gets braver about meeting all of you....s/he doesn't know what s/he's missing out on. Thank you for another great post! Love all your critters, past and present!
Betty McDonel said…
As a Newfie fan I'm sure you would enjoy these 2 books by Pat Seawell , Ninety Nine Newfies and Ninety Nine More Newfies. Both contain first person collections about this amazing breed. Great winter time reading plus the Newfoundland Health Challenge, a non-profit, tax-deductible trust run by the Newfoundland Club of America for research into Newfoundland health problems.