Writers’ Corner: ‘Rescued by Dogs’

My daughter remarked, “Who would have thought we’d ever be owned by dogs?” Hers is a smush-faced pug. Mine is a potato named Emme. It’s true every dog is a therapy dog, and every dog is THE BEST dog.

We’d previously loved other people’s dogs, but had cats at home. Our cats were long-lived and full of personality. We hadn’t known how much we needed dogs.

My daughter’s rescue arrived via payment for a debt to her mother-in-law. He was unsocialized, and neglected. At four years old, he never had been groomed, played with, or trained. He‘d been tied to a porch, day and night, year ‘round; given food and water when it occurred to the boy who had not wanted him and hadn’t asked for him. 

When my daughter realized he was staying, she took him to heart, named him Gordon, taught him to play, and gave him the love he’d waited to receive. Four years later, he communicates by taking a leak on things to get attention. He adores being brushed. He’s leash-trained, believes he owns the people bed, and loves pancakes. My daughter is the center of his universe.

Emme, the dog at our house, doesn’t do tricks: no fetching, no rolling over, no shaking her paw. She’s a scent dog, not a sight dog. She doesn’t chase squirrels or cats. She has food anxiety, especially when I am having a meal and she’s on the floor, begging. She definitely “talks” about the inequity of not having a seat at the table. She hates baths, and loves walks and treats. That’s all.

Walking Emme means taking her for a “sniff.” She takes a whiff of every place another dog marks, and makes it her own.  The rule is, “I peed on it, I own it.” The park is sought-after real estate in the dog world.

Newsweek posted an article about obedient dog breeds, in order of most to least. Pugs didn’t make the cut. The dogs listed were primarily terriers. Notably, Jack Russells were absent from the list. Dachshunds placed near the bottom. Emme is a Jack Russell/Dachshund mix and we absolutely aren't surprised she didn’t place or show in the obedience class. I believe her spirit animal is Cartman, from “South Park.” Imagine hearing a dog belligerently saying, “I do what I want?” I can, easily, and daily. 

Emme is the Mayor of Trojan Timbers. She holds court there most days, rain or shine. Kids rub her belly and ask when her puppies are due. She’s rather “fluffy.” 

Emme lives to go for rides in cars. She doesn’t hang her head out the window, and she doesn’t care where she goes, or even if she doesn’t get out. All she wants is to be with us.

Emme’s first two owners took her in for spay-surgery, but the second time around, her green tattoo protected her.  Her velvety belly was already scarred. I chipped her, but she was already chipped. She has to go to the groomer to get her nails done, or we get yelps of despair at the sight of my trimmers. No, I’ve never hurt her. She just knows how to peg a softie.

Our sweet dogs rescued us, not the other way around. Thank goodness.

Bio: Cindy and Honey have loved all of their pets and everyone else’s, and will continue.

Tip: Pet stories sell for writers! Send me your beloved pet stories at cmyr@aol.com.

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