Beyond Cuckoo

My Name is: Shaggy 

The e-mail came from my husband, Blake, to me at work, “What do you think about this guy? Click through the link to see Shaggy.”

A double-click took me to The Thulani Program’s website and my first glimpse of our next foster dog. I picked up the phone.

“Hi, this is me . . . are you there?” I asked the voice mail message.

“Here I am,” Blake answered as he picked up his home office phone.

“I’m looking at Shaggy’s photo; he looks on the disheveled side.”

We had recently lost our first Thulani foster, Buddy, to cancer and I wasn’t sure I could handle taking on another dog with too many health problems. I’ve adjusted to the relatively short periods that we have with these gentle giants, but I wanted some quality time before the true hospice care began. Shaggy’s appearance definitely fit his name. The animal shelter’s “mug shot” pictured a sad-eyed, depressed pooch, with a broken heart. He had been recently separated from his companion, who was adopted out, and Shaggy awaited euthanasia. I wondered about his health condition and the challenges that we may face. All I could see was sadness. However, Blake, the eternal optimist, turned my thoughts around.

“Oh that’s just a bad photo. How do you think you’d look in jail? . . . Or first thing in the morning?” he teased.

“Smart alec!”  I bit back, then took another look at the computer screen. I knew this wasn’t a great photo and I had faith that Bob Jachens, at Thulani would honestly tell us, about Shaggy’s condition and disposition.

I kidded, wanting to get even for that early morning comment.

*    *    *    *

Well, it’s a new year and a new life for the Shagster. As I write this, he snores at my feet, recuperating from our early morning game of football and walk around the neighborhood.  He spends his days as ambassador to Blake’s clients that frequent his home office—always welcoming them with a nose-nuzzle and tag-wag. That is until I come through the door in the evening. From that point on, my ‘Shaggy Shadow’ follows me wherever I go. Blake says that Shaggy knows it’s his job to keep an eye on me and keep me from harm. I think we simply connect in some special way.

Shaggy’s been with us now six months. We haven’t seen any significant health problems—only a few signs of old age—extra bathroom trips, a sore hip if we do too much and an upset tummy if Mom gets overly enthusiastic with her treats.  Otherwise, we’ve been to the beach several times and once to the local dog park—where we made friends easily and even had a short roll in the hay. (Not that kind . . . sheesh.) His fur has filled back in; he has the sporadic energy of a puppy and is in no way ready to end his life. Shaggy (a.k.a. Shagster) is a classic example of a dog benefitting from The Thulani Project’s Mission of ‘Helping the Most Vulnerable’—finding good homes for old dogs ready to learn new tricks.

German Shepherds are special in so many ways.  Their intelligence, sense of loyalty, and calm demeanor all shine into their later years—in some ways even more brightly than when they frolicked as adolescents. Blake and I are planning our fortieth wedding anniversary in April. We also don’t frolic with as much intensity as we did in our younger years. However, we like to consider ourselves somewhat wiser with plenty of life left. That is why we love these senior dogs—they relate to all the love and fun we can give them.

Oh and by-the way, regarding our anniversary getaway weekend: We found this great place in Mendocino County with rental cottages that welcome dogs—high in the hills, under the stars, not far from the beach with fenced yards. Do you think Shaggy will like it?

Prematurely putting these old dogs down, is not only unnecessarily cruel–it’s BEYOND CUCKOO!

http://www.gsrnc.org/index.asp

http://thulanidogs.org/2014/04/06/thunder-t/