Bob the Bird Dog

[Bigwoods]

I ran across this photo the other day. He's a dog I had 20 years ago and I think he thought he was a squirrel. He was from excellent stock, but dumb a a post. He was a friendly old boy, but that was about all he was good for. He spent many hours in trees watching his mother hunt like the champion she was. Anyone else have such a pet?

[Redgloves]

My dog, Bella, the rat terrier hasn't learned not to play with skunks!

She will not play with dog toys at all or catch/play with a ball. What good is she if I can't wear my shoulder out playing catch?

Jean

[robfisher]

Growing up we had two dogs. The first, named Stoopid, was the funniest looking hybrid mutt you ever saw. Legs like a stork! But she was a very smart dog and the best mouser I've ever seen. Our other dog was an intelligent looking dachshund with legs not long enough to reach the ground on most occasions. Dumber than a rock. They were fun to watch for two reasons. They looked so completely different making it a visual cartoon. And as they went through life Stoopid clearly knew what was going on at all times and Hildegard never, ever had a clue what just happened.
Fun stuff.

[SteveF]

Can cat owners play? I have a cat (she's 17 or so now) that's been a good friend of mine practically her whole life. I found her as a sickly, starved little kitten-shaped bag of bones in the fall of '94 driving home to visit my folks. She was sitting smack on the yellow line of this country road, nothing but farmland for miles around. When I saw her, she was lying down but as I slowed and moved a little to the left to avoid thumping over what I assumed was a dead critter, she sat up. So I stopped, intending to move her off the road and when I walked up to her she meowed in a very "took you long enough--I've been waiting for you," sort of way and so I scooped her up and took her home.

Three days at the vet--where she very nearly died--and she came home with me. She wouldn't leave my side--when I got home from work she'd come running to the door for a pat. Every time I sat down, she was in my lap, everywhere I went, she followed. She'd fetch and play, or curl up and nap, as long as it was near me, and when I went into the workshop to tinker, she'd sit on a stool and watch. She was a friend to me when it didn't seem I had another (dark days, those, between divorcing one wife and finding the next, this one being a keeper!) and it breaks my heart to see her health failing now. I doubt she'll last another year, but she's surprised me before. Many times...

...I named her "Grub," because she was such a mess when I found her. She's just a cat--not much to look at but she came along just when I really needed her and I'll hate to see her go.

[Bigwoods]

I understand how you feel. My present muttski is about the same and soon it will be time for him to go. I think I will honor him by getting a replacement that I can tell stories too about how Shadow was a good dog. Come to think of it, I tell Shadow stories about Bob and his mother Siouxzy, the best dog I ever had.

Thanks. I like cats too.

[SteveF]

Thanks for the thread--great idea!

I prefer cats for pets, but I love a good working dog. My dad had a great bird dog that we had a lot of fun following around, popping off at the occasional pheasant. He was a great dog but arthritis eventually led him to retire from the game. Actually, the same disease put my dad's knees out of the bushwacking business...

[Redgloves]

Pats are unconditional love!!!

[Corwin C]

We had a Walker hound with a truly basso profondo woof when I was a teenager. Think Ted Cassidy (Lurch). Not actually that loud, but holy cow ... that dog could literally rattle the dishes in the cabinet from outside. He also was fond of climbing trees.