Friday, May 17, 2013

In the Company of Dogs

From the time that I was nine years old, I have always had at least one cat, but I didn't get my first dog until I was 29.  His name was Murphy, and he was a rescued English Yellow Labrador.  (His trim-and-fit weight was 80 lbs.)  Murphy and I were inseparable.  My husband traveled a lot for his job at the time(in the days before cell phones and easy access to other communication), my full-time job was stay-at-home mom of three young daughters (3, 4, and 6 at the time), and I could always count on Murphy for company and good conversation.


Murphy was 12 when I took this photo in 1996.  That's baby Amy with him.


After Murphy died in 1997, I was so heartbroken that I couldn't even think of getting another dog.  About a year and a half later, I could feel a change ... and I knew that it was time to bring another dog into our family.  That was Emma.


Ancient, grainy digital photo ... taken shortly after we adopted Emma.


Emma was quite content to be an only dog.  Greyhound adoption folks will tell you that greyhounds are happier in groups (and this is generally the case), but not with Emma.  She was a very independent dog, very people oriented, and a superb Therapy Dog.  I'm not sure she ever really forgave me for bringing Daniel into the family.  After six years of being the lone dog, having a little brother must have been quite a shock for her.


Unlike Emma, Daniel has always really enjoyed the company of other dogs.
Look how brown he used to be!


Daniel was the dog who chose me.  I wasn't looking to add another dog to the family, but I couldn't ignore how perfect he was for us.  Emma would just have to understand and deal with it.  We were a two-hound family, until Emma died in 2011.


This is Daniel and me in the fall of 2011.  See the connection between us?


Now we have Ruby, too, adopting her in February 2012.  She is a little black bundle of happiness ... probably half Labrador and half Border Collie, picked up as a stray in Abingdon, Virginia, and turned over to Border Collie Rescue.  She is definitely not the greyhound personality that I am used to, but she fits into our family perfectly.


Sweet, smiling Ruby.


There you have it.  As large a part as dogs have played in my adult life, I have only had four of them.  This is because we have been blessed to have each of them in our family for a long, long time ... even though they were all adopted as adults. (Murphy was 5, Emma was 3, Daniel was 4 1/2, and Ruby was the baby at 1 1/2.)  No matter how long we have them, it's never really long enough, is it.

One day, I will have to tell you about the cats in my life.  That's a story for another time.

26 comments:

  1. Another Rural Journal reader & Random 5 participant here. But dogs....I love dogs! I most recently lost my favorite boy, Charlie, back on April 1st. I miss him so much...he was 13.

    Our old dog Cody has yet to forgive us for bringing Shiloh into the family last spring. We've thought about Greyhounds, but our hound of choice is the Ridgeback.

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  2. Dogs are such a part of our life and bring such joy to us.

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  3. I remember your post about Emma passing -- but didn't know about Ruby. So happy you were able to make room for her in your family. xo

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  4. beautiful dogs, I couldn't live without dogs or cats, strays adoptees, throwaways..we've 5 creatures no one else wanted and couldn't be without them. Lovely post

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  5. I am definitely a dog lover as well...hurrah for you for your rescue of so many loving companions.

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  6. I like that you love dogs. I do too. I grew up with them. I've had five of my own so far. The oldest was a 14 year old Golden Retriever.

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  7. I have always and probably always will have cats in my life. They are such a huge part of my life!

    Your dogs have all been very beautiful. It's so special having constant companions.

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  8. I enjoyed learning about your lovely dogs. How wonderful of you and your family to adopt them and give them such a loving home!

    We love dogs, too, but we don't have any. We have two cats who are such a big part of our family. I love our critters!

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  9. were your gray hounds both from resques? I hope to get a dog from a resque again soon, had a large black lab that was my best friend also hope to get another one in a year or two... wanderful 5 facts friday post... jolynn

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  10. Loved reading about the dogs in your life. I've heard that rescued greyhounds make the best family members and seem so very gentle. Lovely Random 5. Have a grand weekend!

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  11. Beautiful dogs. What a wonderful pic of you and Daniel. I can see you are bonded heart and soul!

    Ruby is quite a pretty smiler. :)

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  12. My best friends are creatures.
    My heart still looks for a border collie who went home to God a long time ago.
    Right now i share space with a cat that Border Collie adopted . . and a Newfie mix . . all of us aging - I hope gracefully.
    love & love,
    -g-

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  13. Congrats on the addition of Ruby. Pets make for a happy family I say.

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  14. I've had 5 dogs as an adult...and lots of cats...but the dogs take up the biggest place in my heart. We have three now. Long story. But each one has a different personality and I love each one of them. Your dogs seem very special!

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  15. Ah I just loved this post! :) I have two dogs and one cat and they are scattered throughout my blog posts...

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  16. I love Ruby's smile....we have lost three dogs in the past four years. I understand the lost. When I had to put down my buddy George the Saint Bernard I was devastated. But like you I know it's time for another four leg friend. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Look how tiny Amy was!

    Dogs are such a special part of the family. I sure do miss mine.

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  18. I really enjoyed this post and reading about the amazing dogs you've shared your life with! I'll look forward to reading about your cats--Have I told you they were always my first love?

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  19. We are such kindred spirits, Connie. I loved hearing about your sweet dogs, and your love for them is so very evident. I can NOT imagine a life without my dog. My Maizie. The love of my life. She has been THE BEST dog we've ever had, and we've had many over the years. She's fun. She's the matriarch of the house. And she loves me like nobody else can. ♥ She is such a blessing....!

    xoxo laurie

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  20. what a bevy of beauties.

    And what a happy shiny girl Ruby is.

    maybe she'd like to come for a visit?

    xo Jane

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  21. Love your post on your dogs. I am not a dog person, love my cats, but I think I'd adopt Ruby.

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  22. Nice family, Connie ~ well done!

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  23. Just saw the news on FB... :-( wish I had better words -

    xoxo

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  24. Never long enough...sending Hugs!

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  25. Oban - labrador/border collie - was my first dog. She died suddenly in february aged 11. I can't imagine having another friend like her but I definitely find the house 'missing' a dog's presence.
    I think after reading your post I might just take the plunge into thinking about it! and wait and see what dog finds me.

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  26. I have come to measure my life by my dogs.

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