God created humanity to invent comfortable sofas, warm fireplaces, and Purina Dog Chow for the benefit of dogs, and then we invented fence posts upon which meadowlarks can stand and sing.
I hadn’t thought of that, but you are absolutely correct. Dogs live more in the moment than any human, and in the moment is the only time we are really alive.
Good choice of dogs, especially Dougie Sue. We've had three cattle dogs: Checkers, a blue heeler/lab cross; Buzz, an Aussie shepherd/heeler; and Cinch, a full-bore Border collie. Most insane dog I've ever known; exact opposite of Checkers, who had the brains of the heeler and the personality of the lab. Best dog ever. I miss all three of them.
It’s funny how the best dog I ever had was all of them, but there is something special about working dogs like my Dougie Sue. Between cattle/sheep dogs and service dogs, are there any other creature so in tune with humans?
Horses ... maybe. I only had one horse, Abby, about whom I've written. I bought her for my daughter (and myself). I always wanted a horse and pestered by poor father to get me one. We could keep it in the side yard of our quarter-acre corner lot. After all, it was already fenced. I didn't see the problem. But Abby was tempestuous, but I trusted her implicitly on trail, even when we rode alone under a full moon and a bear crossed the trail in front of us. Checkers didn't notice it at all, but Abby stopped, ears erect, gazing into the darkness. All I saw was a black blob ambling across the trail. She took care of me most of the time, until one day I swatted a horsefly on her neck with my big white cowboy hat. Last thing I saw from the ground was her galloping away, stirrups flapping.
I loved this! Each and every one of your unique canines are drawn so vividly and with such love, humor and ironic acceptance of the joys and fur challenges of sharing your life with them. (But end by mountain lion was too sad😿)
It was kind of appropriate for him, because I could never imagine him withering away. It’s that flying into a mountainside at Mach 2 with your hair on fire last chapter that I so admire.
I love all the ways you describe your canine pals, but I laughed longest at tossing Romeo into a snow bank.
There have been five cats but no dogs across our decades of marriage. We both grew up with dogs and no cats, so I'm not sure what switch flipped other than that we appreciated the cats' relative independence. We did fall head over heels in love with Basil, the Shelty, during the three months we cared for him. Presently, we are "between pets," and my husband seems to prefer it that way. I'm working on him and hoping the pet distribution system will solve the debate for us.
My little chihuahua mix has tempered with age. We acquired her when she was middle aged and she was so grateful she would attack anything that got close to my wife, even me. As time went on, she got a little calmer. There was nothing she wouldn't go after. Everyone except the Amazon driver. She would even sit next to packages while he took a photo. She has always been a bit of a diva.
I'm a dog person and yes, the world is a far better place for having them and they're certainly better than most people. I LOVED this post. Happy 2025 for you and Dougy Sue!
You are so correct that they don't live long enough. I have lost many, but they really are fully present for the time that they are here.
I hadn’t thought of that, but you are absolutely correct. Dogs live more in the moment than any human, and in the moment is the only time we are really alive.
Arf, arf, arf. You gave me a larf.
We love Dougie Sue, and Mr. Switter too. Next you'll take on a hoppy kangaroo.
Speaking of hoppy...wait for it...
Hoppy New Year! 🐇🐇🐇🐇🦘🦘🦘🦘🐶🐕🦺🐕🚫🐩
Heh!
Good choice of dogs, especially Dougie Sue. We've had three cattle dogs: Checkers, a blue heeler/lab cross; Buzz, an Aussie shepherd/heeler; and Cinch, a full-bore Border collie. Most insane dog I've ever known; exact opposite of Checkers, who had the brains of the heeler and the personality of the lab. Best dog ever. I miss all three of them.
It’s funny how the best dog I ever had was all of them, but there is something special about working dogs like my Dougie Sue. Between cattle/sheep dogs and service dogs, are there any other creature so in tune with humans?
I've had bunnies that comforted me when I was sad. Pet bunnies, kept indoors with family, are smart, empathetic creatures.
Horses ... maybe. I only had one horse, Abby, about whom I've written. I bought her for my daughter (and myself). I always wanted a horse and pestered by poor father to get me one. We could keep it in the side yard of our quarter-acre corner lot. After all, it was already fenced. I didn't see the problem. But Abby was tempestuous, but I trusted her implicitly on trail, even when we rode alone under a full moon and a bear crossed the trail in front of us. Checkers didn't notice it at all, but Abby stopped, ears erect, gazing into the darkness. All I saw was a black blob ambling across the trail. She took care of me most of the time, until one day I swatted a horsefly on her neck with my big white cowboy hat. Last thing I saw from the ground was her galloping away, stirrups flapping.
That was so much fun to read!
😁
I loved this! Each and every one of your unique canines are drawn so vividly and with such love, humor and ironic acceptance of the joys and fur challenges of sharing your life with them. (But end by mountain lion was too sad😿)
It was kind of appropriate for him, because I could never imagine him withering away. It’s that flying into a mountainside at Mach 2 with your hair on fire last chapter that I so admire.
Yes, you amazingly recognized loved and respected each unique spirit they embodied♥️
…yes to a dog led future…
I love all the ways you describe your canine pals, but I laughed longest at tossing Romeo into a snow bank.
There have been five cats but no dogs across our decades of marriage. We both grew up with dogs and no cats, so I'm not sure what switch flipped other than that we appreciated the cats' relative independence. We did fall head over heels in love with Basil, the Shelty, during the three months we cared for him. Presently, we are "between pets," and my husband seems to prefer it that way. I'm working on him and hoping the pet distribution system will solve the debate for us.
May Dougie Sue live long and well!
Yes, there are always those times with dogs.
Oh I love this! YES, dogs ARE wonderful! They love us even when we don't deserve it!
And a few times, poo times, vice versa!
My little chihuahua mix has tempered with age. We acquired her when she was middle aged and she was so grateful she would attack anything that got close to my wife, even me. As time went on, she got a little calmer. There was nothing she wouldn't go after. Everyone except the Amazon driver. She would even sit next to packages while he took a photo. She has always been a bit of a diva.
We had chihuahuas when I was a kid. They can be fierce little things, but also very loyal.
Yep. Dogs are definitely better than humans.
Let us therefore aspire to be better than we are.
Amen
I'm a dog person and yes, the world is a far better place for having them and they're certainly better than most people. I LOVED this post. Happy 2025 for you and Dougy Sue!
And you, too!
A history of Switter’s wonderful doggies, relayed as only Switter can — with humor and lyrical words that make you want more.