I loved my dog........

Cope · Post by **Cope** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:20 am

I was just looking at the avitars currently listed for AAPK and decided I better keep the one I have, for now anyway. I'd like to share a story with you about a border collie we had once. When my oldest daughter was born, I wanted her to have a dog that could grow up with her from the start. Grow as she grew. All I'd ever had besides the occasional mutt growing up, were beagle hounds. My dad got hurt and had a couple of surgeries in 1977 and wasn't able to do anything for a year or two. With him being a hard worker all his life, it was pretty hard on him not doing anything. (we have always been farmers) So he decided to get some beagle hounds as a pass time. I was only 7 at the time but I remember he must have went through several hundred dogs, until settling on the 20 or so we usually kept. He no longer has beagles but I can remember like it was yesterday his nightly routine. He would turn his hounds lose around dark, grab his 5-gallon bucket he had against the back of the house, and sit on that bucket at the edge of the yard and listen to those beagles. If anyone hasn't been around good rabbit hounds, you need to treat yourself at least once. This is a whole other story in itself, just wanted to use it to say it was about all the experience I had ever had with dogs. Now back to the border collie. I had always been interested in these dogs, since everyone I had ever seen seemed to be a very smart dog. After talking with some people about them I bought a nine week old female border collie "for my daughter". I knew nothing about picking out the pup, just that she seemed like the one when I saw her. We settled on the name Pocahontas and eventually just "Poke". The first night we had her she laid by the bed all night, only getting up to follow me to the bathroom once. We all slept in the same bed. Our daughter in the middle, and Poke by the bed. After just a few nights, my wife said she won't sleep on the floor by my side, only yours. I hadn't noticed this but did after that, and she was right. I have since learned that dogs usually take up with one person. They may like several, but there is one they stick to. Well it turned out to be me. It wasn't long before she was with me every minute of every day. I guess I talk to much but anyway this dog got used to what I had to say and it was truly unbelievable to me the understanding she had. I could talk to her like talking to a person and she always seemed to know exactly what I wanted or was saying. I didn't train her in anything as I didn't know how, but she just took to everything like she was born for that very purpose. I could tell a million stories about her but I'll keep this as short as I can. She was as emotinal as any woman I've ever known. I can remember there was only one place Poke couldn't go with me, and that was to church. It seemed like she knew when Sunday came around. She would be fidgety all morning and when it came time for us to leave she would do her belly crawl and slide in the truck while we were getting in, hopefully unnoticed. If you have ever been around a border collie, you'll know what I mean by the "belly crawl". I've seen most do this. They get as low to the ground as possible (herding instinct) and then it seems like they almost walk on their belly. So I would stick my head out the window and say "Can't go today Poke"........well you'd have thought I had just pronounced her death sentence. She would slink out the back of the truck and come sit right by my door, looking at me the saddest any human could look. She would sit like this watching us until we were out of site. It broke my heart everytime too. She knew the sound of my truck and by the time I got within seeing distant, I could see Poke! She would be doing every trick she knew and would be beside herself. I have never had a friend that I connected to like I did that dog. I hope this isn't saying anything about my character as I've tried to be a friend to all, but there was just something about this dog. She passed away at 13 but in dog years she brought me a 1000 in knowing what a true friend really is. She never once was mad at me. Even when her feelings were hurt by not going to church, she forgot all about it by the time she heard my truck coming back. Anyway she is sadly missed by the whole family and will always hold a place in our hearts. I know this is long and rambling but I felt like paying tribute to a dear friend this morning.

Brad

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:05 pm

Brad,

That is an incredible life story and one much appreciated...Thanks for sharing it...

Sunburst

Mossdancer · Post by **Mossdancer** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:58 pm

Dittoes:
moss

MITCH RAPP · Post by **MITCH RAPP** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:13 pm

Brad,

Dogs really are a Gift from God!

Gunsmoke47 · Post by **Gunsmoke47** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:58 pm

I feel the same way about a Sheltie I had for 12 years. She has been gone 2 years now, but I still think of her often. We have a new Golden now and I love her very much, but I think she might be my wifes dog (as you say) The Sheltie was mine and it is hard. Thanks for sharing Brad, Kelley

gmusic · Post by **gmusic** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:52 pm

Great story Cope.

Border Collies are one of the smartest dogs I've ever been around, and like said, very emotional!

Cope · Post by **Cope** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:46 pm

Thanks guys for taking the time to read my post. Looking at the picture of that border collie brought back a lot of memories and I thought I'd share the story of a dear friend. Great site and great people!!!

Brad

mumblypeg · Post by **mumblypeg** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:58 am

Great story, Brad. Brought back some memories of a German Shepherd we had when I was a child. A protector and a friend. Thanks.

PA Knives · Post by **PA Knives** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:21 pm

I am a knife lover, but I have to say that Dogs are equally important to me. My lovely wife and I have eight Cardigan Welsh Corgis as I write this. We travel the country showing dogs. We are both AKC herding dog judges and that ads to our travels. We have imported three dogs from New Zealand and belong to two different kennel clubs, three judges clubs, and two specialty Cardigan clubs. Most of my day is either with dog activities or knives. I teach handling classes for those that want to show as well. I have been to Westminister several times and hope to judge there someday as well.

I loved your story and can appreciate your affection for the breed. Dogs are the greatest.

Check out my dog related web site and let me know what you think

http://www.dragonpatch.org

Cope · Post by **Cope** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:20 am

Hi Dave, I just visited your website and signed your guestbook as well. Great site! I loved all the pics and the stories. To be honest I'm not familiar with these dogs but I really like the looks of them. Not to take anything away from them but the blacker ones at a glance look a lot like a miniature border collie to me. Is there any connection? I also noticed some with the Australian shephard "patchy" look. I'm assuming that these dogs can come in a multitude of colors. Good luck with your shows in 2008.

Brad

PA Knives · Post by **PA Knives** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:12 pm

Cardigans Welsh Corgi's are herding dogs. Although they are no where near the skill of the Border Collie, they herd by nipping at the heals of the Cattle and sheep, therefore the short legs. Rare for them to recieve a kick. The patchy color is known as a blue merle, a recessive gene produces this. Many herding dogs have this gene, Aust Cattle dogs, Aus shepards, Shelties, etc. Neat color and somewhat rarer in Cardigans. I throughly enjoy the hobby and look forward to judging all over the country. If you ever have a chance, attend a dog show. Great people and even better dogs.

richied · Post by **richied** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 2:21 pm

Great story Cope. Anyone who was raised with a dog can relate to that story. Seems like there has always been a dog in my life and they were all dear friends and were indeed part of the family

Ringmaster · Post by **Ringmaster** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:18 pm

Not to take the thread off topic, 'cause border collies are definitely some of the smartest, and hardest-working dogs on the planet...

Pa Knives has the Cardigans, I've only belonged to the Pembrokes (the ones without the tail). Amazing natural herding instinct...truly. They'll herd cows, sheep, chickens, even children. They're seriously about the fastest animal I've ever known for the first three steps. (In a Corgi's case, that's about 12 inches). But, if you don't keep 'em busy, either at work or play - they'll invent something, just to keep moving. And they love to get dirty !

As Pa sez, attend a dog show - great people and sometimes smarter animals.

Everyone take care,
JR

Sauconian · Post by **Sauconian** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:29 pm

I never should have read this thread. I haven't had a dog for a long time, and though I often think of getting one, I try to avoid the idea. I set enough parameters to make it difficult. An older dog that knows basic manners, small enough to not knock over the furniture in an apartment, but agile enough to do the stairs to the 2cd floor without being carried. Quiet, to not constantly disturb the neighbors. Obedient enough to stay nearby without always being on a leash. Perfect enough to come near replacing the irreplacable.

I had a mixed pack of dacshunds and bassets. All hunted, but the one pictured did as well at shows as he did at field trials. Although not my favorite, he is memorable.

You can guess how long ago this photo was taken by the pants I'm wearing !

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:59 pm

That is one fine looking Basset Hound, a great specimen...

It's not your pants I'm worried about its the guys suit next to you...Is that corduroy???

Sunburst

Bulldog-Arne · Post by **Bulldog-Arne** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:59 pm

Thanks cope, l liked reading your story .
Dogs and the relation dog/man is one of this lifes true mysteries.