The Dog Journal

Submission from ninjafallow.  Love her face!  Thank you for changing Rosie’s life.  

Rosie’s last owners moved at some point last year and left her in their backyard when we found her in the heat of a July drought. She was malnourished, underweight, completely matted up, not fixed, and her only means of staying cool was hiding out under the porch. I got into contact with the neighbors taking care of her, and my family decided to take her in. I didn’t realize just how bad of a condition she really was until we got her home. Most of her fur had turned stiff and brown from being in the sun so long, and she was scared of just about everything- trash cans, men, storm drains- you name it. She still has separation anxiety problems, but she’s getting better. After a year of a little patience and TLC, she’s turned out to be the most incredible dog. Her wiry fur went from wiry brown to scruffy grey and then to soft black, and she’s at a healthy weight (apparently now she needs to lose a few pounds!). She’s fearless yet loves to please and stay close to her people more than anything else. Unfortunately, she’s a chronic kleptomaniac and we have to keep doors closed to rooms we don’t want her in while we’re gone since she loves to steal clothes, stuffed animals, cookies, and slippers, among other things. I pegged her as a Schnauzer/Scottie mix, though now I’m not sure at all of what she is as she has all these strange features not typical of terriers (webbed toes, blue tongue, curly tail, loves to swim, sounds like Chewbaca when she ‘talks’). I may never know how she got all those crazy features or her whole history, but Rosie is the best dog I could have asked for <3

Submission from fearthebeards.  Beautiful dogs!  I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for schnauzers.

Who Rescued Who? 

Once we were set on getting a dog, we were limited to non-shedding dog breeds to reduce the chances of the Mister’s allergic reactions (he was practically “Bubble Boy” as a child and very miserable!). After some research, we both fell in love with the idea of a schnauzer- those eyebrows, those beards, and those deep expressive eyes you only see once in a while!! Gah! It then hit me that Tramp from Lady and the Tramp looked like a schnauzer and he was my favorite cartoon dog as a child (Jacques the Scottie was a close second!). 

Joules is the shy 4 year old salt and pepper miniature schnauzer we adopted first. Prescott is a 6 year old black and silver boy miniature schnauzer. They were rescued eight months apart from different rescue organizations in central California, hence their ages are approximate. We drove 10-11 hours each time to adopt these guys and it was funny being 30 minutes away and realized we hadn’t talked about any potential “deal breaker” traits to look out for- we were SO set on each of our choices, LOL. 

I was a first time dog owner, as shown by my Flashback Friday photos of myself and Joules, but once she was in my life I just HAD to get one more. The Mister asked why I wanted another so bad, and while I said it was to keep introverted Joules company, I really just wanted another one and admitted only to myself that I didn’t know why. We are so glad we adopted Prescott, though, despite how mischievous he first was, because Joules started coming out of her shell once she had a playmate. It was quite the moment when we saw she no longer cowered behind us when meeting other dogs! 

This photo is the perfect example of how different Joules and Prescott’s personalities are. Prescott is always in your face, following you around, trying to get in your lap or at least petted, while Joules stays aloof like a typical schnauzer and always hangs back in her spot by the heater, letting Prescott get all the attention. 

I can’t believe I lived 31 years without a dog in my life! (Sorry for the novel- I could go on and on!!)

Submission from anowlwithknees.  Interesting.  I was not aware of the myth that Chihuahuas cure asthma.    

My dog Rupee, a chihuahua. My family originally got her because they believed some old myth that chihuahuas can cure asthma so they got her for my little brother. However she is mostly attached to my mom and I, and loves resting on my stomach and lap. Bros for life.

Submission from aprilonline.  Thank you for telling us about Spunky, he looks like an angel.  

This is Spunky, a Blue Heeler/German Shepard mix.  He is my white shadow, where I go… he goes, makes no matter if it is to the corner market or the distance from Knettishall Heath to Holme-next-the-Sea along Pedar’s Way.  Spunky was selected and adopted from the pound in Alamogordo New Mexico  and named by my then 10 year old son.  They were on the road to becoming fast friends… and then somewhere, sometime, Spunky started hanging with me instead.  Since then we have wandered the deserts of New Mexico, flown across the Atlantic and have traipsed around most of Norfolk and Suffolk together.  He is my best bud.  This year my last son finishes school and leaves home.  I think Spunky the puppy knew I would need him more than the boy did.  I am ever grateful for his enthusiasm for life, his patience with my disabilities and his undying love for me.  His presence is making this year much easier to bear.

Submission from briesecorgis.  Thank you for sharing, and thank you for helping comfort others through Luna.

I have two dogs: Luna and Twinkie, both Pembroke Welsh Corgis.  Luna is my heart-dog and will be 2 in September.  I got her after my puppy River died and have trained her to be a therapy dog.  She volunteers through our local Love on a Leash chapter as well as for San Diego Hospice - bringing joy to the people she visits.  She also happens to do this for me, because, you see, I suffer from migraines and she offers me comfort during those 15+ attacks a month.

My other dog, Twinkie, was rescued last July.  I felt it only fair for Luna to have a companion when I couldn’t be with her and saw this poor overweight corgi listed on craigslist for $20. I took Luna and my, then 7-year-old, niece to go see what she was like.  Twinkie automatically went into submissive mode and was so sad looking - 10 pounds overweight, had been shaved, horrible teeth, and so dirty!  Luna and Mena, my niece, gave me sad eyes to bring her home with us - and so we did.  She has lost at least 7 of the 10 pounds she needed to lose since that day, her teeth are better, and her coat has grown in beautifully - she’s also had numerous baths since then.  You can find us at Briese Corgis.

Submission from thegingerisin.  Great picture, great name!

This is my 1 1/2 year old border collie black lab mix, Keanu. Yes, after Keanu Reeves. I adopted him from a local pound and never regret to this day. He is insane and funny and full of personality. He’s a guard dog, a boxer, a hunter, and a best friend!

Submission from caityluu:

Looking good!

Submission from v-et-affairs:

This is Lindsey. She’s fighting lymphoma and I’m fighting Lupus. We even take a few of the same medicines. She’s an 11 year old Maltese.