True Friends...A Priceless Resource

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sat May 19, 2012 12:25 pm

And heeeeere's Buddy:

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:25 pm

I love all these dog pictures!!!

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Sat May 19, 2012 5:09 pm

Joe,
Those pictues are great, I love the one of just her face in the grass. I just love goldens. They are so loving. I would just love one, but don't think this is the right time in our lives to be getting a dog.

Thanks for posting those websites about the dog. The woman's son, who is now a Boston police officer, was a good friend of my grandson when they were in elementary school. We live in a very small town and everyone knew the woman and her dog. I'm just happy that the dog will be OK. It's an amazing story.

Jenny, it was not in Cambridge, but in Shirley.

The last I heard they raised over $76,000.00 for the dogs medical expenses. The remainder will go into a fund to help other rescue dogs.

Nancy

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sat May 19, 2012 5:45 pm

Great story and pictures, Joe. I don't have dogs but I'd be lost without my two cats. The picture of Nestle running through the water is the essance of happiness.

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sat May 19, 2012 5:48 pm

Jenny, Nancy, Polly and all others, thanks so very much for your notes today, they made all the difference in the world to me. It's been a very very tough few weeks both emotionally and physically for me and your notes and interest really helped make my day. Today Nestlé and I BBQ'd chicken lamb and beef in the grill, slow cooked over good old fashioned New England apple wood for hours, this made for a great dinner and will provide for lunches all week.

Jenny I will certainly keep your very generous offer to watch Nestle in mind, she is a real sweetheart and most likely it will be hard to give her back, she has a way of finding her way into your heart.

Polly I may have mentioned this before, but 'Buddy' is the perfect name for a golden retriever as they are certainly the very best 'buddy' and friend that one could ask for, they do not judge and accept us for who we are, as we are.

Thanks again to all here for your responses.

Jenny don't be too surprised when Nestlé shows up....

Take care all....

Joe

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Sat May 19, 2012 6:06 pm

Those stories brought tears to my eyes. 2 1/2 months ago my son decided he wanted a dog. We both live in small apartments, so we knew we needed a small dog, a terrier or a spaniel. We went to the pound and looked at all the dogs liking some and saying we would come back to the cage. Then we saw him. He was in a cage with 4 others probably of the same litter, all 3 years old. The worker told us they had been dropped off by the owner, who claimed he had too many dogs. They were extremely nervous and fearful, and terrified of the barking of the other dogs. Our dog stood out. His eyes literally begged us, saying "don't leave me here". We were warned against it because he had bitten someone, but after we sat with him for a while, and he buried his face in my Adam's armpit we knew we couldn't leave him. Long story short, we took him home after shopping for essentials. The poor little thing was shaking with terror. Each time he was introduced to a new situation he shook horrifically.
He had been neutered and still had stitches so we took him to the vet, who gave us the basic meds for him. A week later it turned out he was really ill, and needed all sorts of meds.

Again long story short, he bit someone at my son's work. At this point he decided to get a trainer. ROARING SUCCESS! Although still nervous in new situations Lenny is an obedient, happy, loving little dog, and very friendly once you approach him in the right way.

When I find out whether I have a pension (which had better happen!) I want a dog. Just a little one, like Lenny. Although there are no dogs like Lenny. He has the most "talking" eyes of any dog I have ever met.

Joe, Nestle sounds like a wonderful dog to have with you, especially when you don't feel well. She seems to want to care for you as much as you take care of her.

Feel better, my friend.

jme22 · Post by **jme22** » Sat May 19, 2012 6:55 pm

Joe,

Thanks for sharing that great story! And yes, wise to be careful with Nestle and the bottles. You just never know what a dog will decide to chew on or get into, even when they are well past the puppy stage.
Daisy, our beloved mastiff, came into our lives a few years prior to my getting sick. She bonded with me from the start and then when I got sick she became my constant companion. If I spent days in bed so did she. (Have never known a dog to pass up a chance to sleep on the bed!) She has been such a comfort to me. I will be eternally grateful that she came into my life when she did.

Here's my girl. She's a french mastiff aka Dogue de Bordeaux...same breed as "Hooch" from the movie "Turner and Hooch."

We are a lucky bunch to have one another as well as our canine (or feline) companions to see us through the good days and the not so good days.

Here's hoping each of you is having a good day,

Julie & Daisy

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Sat May 19, 2012 7:28 pm

Alright Joe ( and all of you), I've been combing PetFinder steadily for the last 4-5 months wondering if it was time to get another dog. Our beloved Jack Russel, Zack, passed away 2 years ago and we still talk about him like it was yesterday. Looking at all the dog pictures is urging me to take the plunge-- sooner rather than later.

You guys are such an influence on me!

Carol

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Sat May 19, 2012 10:45 pm

Joe,
My offer still stands, only if you trust me to give her back!

Jenny

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Sun May 20, 2012 7:49 am

Joe - thank you so much for sharing such a heart warming story about your lovely "Nurse". Your sentiment about both animal and human companionship strikes a strong cord with me (I have 2 awesome cat companions:)). I couldn't agree more that we are all so fortunate to have each other in this nurturing environment, provided to us by our gracious host, Tex. I hope you get to feeling better real soon - you seem to have suffered more than your fair share lately.

Leslie - loved your story about Lenny.

Love,
Kari

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Sun May 20, 2012 12:52 pm

Kari - I went out to breakfast with Adam(fried potatoes for me since that's all I can have on the menu of the place where Lenny can come with us, or any brunch restaurant for that matter) and saw Lenny for the first time in weeks. He seems to associate me with traumatic happenings, such as the pound and the first visits to the vet, and it takes me a long time to get him to come to me. Still, he is a different dog, which is such a pleasure to see.
Carol, I hope you get your dog soon!

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sun May 20, 2012 3:56 pm

Wow we really do have a lot of dog lovers in this group!!

I am feeling better, and really was not too bad yesterday, I did have some cramping for a while and it did passes in about an hour. These IBD's are no fun

Thanks for all of your responses and the offers of a dog sitter Jenny, I told Nestle about the opportunity and she is all excited

Kari Nestles brother Skittles the Maine coon cat is a great friend as well. Once the temperature gets below 50 I have him on my lap whenever it is possible.

Carol I hope you are able to find a animal friend soon, they are special and can make a big difference in our lives. I can't imagine a day without my 2 friends.

Julie I love Daisy, she looks like a sweetheart. I have read the massifs are very loyal and friendly. How big do they get??

Lesly thanks for the kind note, I am feeling better and fortunalty was just having a spell of cramps that lasted for a couple of hours. It was a great day of good weather today and Neslte and I went for a long hike today in the woods.

Nancy it was really special how that pit bull saved his partner by pulling him off of the tracks. That was truly a heartwarming story.

Polly thanks for the picture of Buddy, he really is a wonderful friend, how is Chatty getting along with Buddy?

Thanks again for all of the responses, I did realize how many animal lovers we had here.

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Sun May 20, 2012 6:38 pm

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This is Theo, a coton de tulear, the perfect apartment dog. He eats a grain free diet too.

Jean

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Sun May 20, 2012 10:18 pm

Oh Jean! That's the dog I want when things sort themselves out.

kitty16 · Post by **kitty16** » Mon May 21, 2012 5:12 am

Dear Joe

AWWW I do love our pets they can be such a source of joy. Sorry you don't feel well.

Hugs
K