Happy International Dog Day
That's right everyone, today is International Dog Day. The perfect opportunity to throw a few pictures designed only to make you go 'Aw', or 'Aaargh' if you're not a fan of our four-legged friends.
Absolutely nothing to do with WA but the giveaway is in the title, so you have had fair warning.
Also, we have to leave for a hospital appointment in an hour, so I wanted to get one 'on the board' before we leave, otherwise I'll be clambering to get back on track for the rest of the day.
This is Neo and he's a full-blown Siberian Husky, though his penchant for sunbathing would tell you different. He is lovingly also known as 'goofball' and I think the picture bears that out.
We have had him for seven years and he was a 'rescue'. We think there might be a little bit of 'Malamute' in him, mainly because of his temperament, he's very laid back and in no way 'skittish' as some can be
When he first arrived, one of our sons was going through a very bad time, suffering with a few conditions, Tourettes being one of them.
His anxiety was off the charts and that's when Neo stepped in. I have no doubt that he could sense something ailed our boy and the two struck up a friendship that played a major part in relieving some of the stress that he was going through at the time. Awesome dog.
Although not always keen to take the position as 'top dog', he is. He allows the position to be held by Sky, who is a Husky/Staffordshire Bull terrier cross.
Who ever thought that this particular pairing of breeds was a good idea, really didn't think it through.
Sky has some issues and has zero social etiquette when it comes to other dogs, with the attitude of 'bite first ask questions later'
That said, she is most definitely a people lover and will take all the love and fuss you can give, just make sure none of the others sidle up and try to get in on the act, as it can get messy.
She was another rescue and had we not taken her in, she was scheduled to be 'put down' the next day. For all her faults, and they are many, life wouldn't be the same without her.
In some peoples eyes, I have saved the best till last but as we know, there can be no favourites. Allow me to introduce Bella.
Bella is a 15-month-old Bucovina. The breed is traditionally a 'guarding' breed, which is good, as Husky's might look the part but have no sense of duty when it comes to securing the perimeter.
This one is trying very hard to take over from Neo as 'Chief Goofball' and my money is on her to usurp him very soon.
She's classed as a 'giant' breed and does bear some resemblance to the 'Irish Wolfhound', certainly in height, she is bigger than both of the other two and knows how to use that to her advantage.
Yet another rescue and it was a drawn out process, as we needed to make sure that Sky was happy with a new addition to the pack. A few carefully planned 'meet and greets' later and she has settled in very nicely, thank you.
They're a motley crew, as the phrase goes, but it's hard to imagine life without any of them. That said, I don't always feel that way, especially at 4.30 in the morning when Bella is having a barking fit and playing basketball with the ceramic water bowl.
There you have it, 'man's best friend' time three. Happy international Dog Day everyone.
Twack Romero.
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We have always had dogs in our family, Twack.
There would be no life without them.
And we had some great breeds, like you.
Stumpy, a Sheherd, ate mangoes, that he picked from the trees.
Titan, a Rott, was my daughter's paly mate and rolled her down the back yard lawn like a ball while she laughed her heart out.
We now own a Dogo, Lucious, who is the best family friend we could ever ask for.
I cannot imagine life without 1, 2 or 3. 🙂
Enjoy them.
Cassi
They sound gorgeous, I had to look 'Dogo' up and they look a very strong breed.
We've always had large breeds as well and ones with personality. Our German Shepherd was called Fletch and was as daft as a brush.
It would be very strange if we never had at least one.
We had a black labrador once called Bourneville. We came home one afternoon and he'd managed to open one of the cupboards and munched his way through a bag of flour, you can imagine the scene and all he could do was lie there groaning while his stomach grew.
Dogos are great, Twack.
Lucious is an excellent companion when I take off on my own into the forest.
He even goes on shopping trips with us and just his size keeps people at bay. 🤦♀️
I love the personalities that you described with your dogs.
They are true friends.
Have a good day.
Cassi
My sister has 'Jack', who is of the 'Mastiff' family, just not sure which part. He managed to come away from a fight with a cougar and that doesn't happen that often. Solid dogs and their loyalty knows no bounds.
Mastiffs are GREAT dogs!
My cousin has 2 and they have protected their children since birth.
Awesome dogs!
Great post, Twack, even if it's not about WA. I am a massive fan of the husky, having had three in the past. My most recent rescue, Krystal, passed away from old age a couple of years ago and forever left a hole in my heart.
You are right, husky's are great dogs, but they are not great guard dogs. They will protect their pack, though, if the going gets tough.
Happy International Dog Day to you, too!
--Sandi
Thank you Sandi. They will always stay with us and are memories remain vivid.
Bella makes up for the Husky's lack of common sense when it comes to unwanted guests wandering round into the back garden.
There's a reason they're Man's best friend, Twack. I've own some in the past and I'm waiting for the right time to consider adoption again. They're as loyal as they come, from being another family member, my co-pilot, wingman, bodyguard, etc.
I've seen huskies, but always assumed they were predominantly white/greyish/black in their coats - but I googled and see that they come in shades of brown too. Learn something new everyday.
Thanks for the post!
Isaiah 😊
Thank you Isaiah and you're very welcome. They have unconditional love for us and just want to be loved in return.
Neo does have the more unusual colour and characteristics, he is very 'un-husky' like.
I love them, they are all special.
I think dogs really can sense a lot and for some people with mental issues they can be life savers. It's vice versa, they are rescued but then they are a rescue for their master (or child).
Thanks for the information on the international dog day, have to tell Aisa it's her day :)
Absolutely right. They even had one at the school they all attended, it was in the 'Nurture Bay' which was somewhere the children could go when things were getting hard to deal with. It had a calming influence.
I haven't told mine, they'll want to go for another walk if I do.
There really is something about them. They are never mad at you, only unconditional love. We humans can learn from them.
Aisa seems not interested, she thinks every day is special 😊As long as she's having her masters around, she's happy.
They enjoy the simple life of food, warmth, their own bed and some attention every now and then, not a bad way to live.
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Another day to add to the calendar, thanks Twack. I love your pack, and my money is on Bella as well. Large breeds are my favorites, St. Bernard being top of the list, followed closely by Great Dane. Wifey and I have plans on traveling around the country, and that said, we are looking for a cat. Good companions if they allow you into their home. Also better for traveling with.
Greg
You're welcome Greg. We have had cats and when we had a couple of other dogs. The one used to sit on the labrador's back and kneed her paws into his coat.
Yes, you might have go through a stringent interview, if you're after a cat, knowing what they're like.