1986 —- March 11 2001
Dog
When we moved into our new home we were welcomed by a large brown dog.
We did not own a dog and asked the neighbors about our “welcoming”
committee. I was told that “Star” was the neighborhood nuisance dog.
Once owned by a family they separated from divorce….the mother taking
the kids and leaving…the dad remaining with the dog.
Star was forgotten. Most of the time for the 4 years before we came,
Star roamed about freely eating from the garbage cans and what ever
a kind soul would give her. Neighborhood children shot her with
b-b guns threw rocks at her and often when she would sleep somewhere
if they saw her would just run up and kick her for no reason.
Many people tried to run over her with their vehicles.
When I saw these events take place I was horrified and set about to
locate the owner of the dog and take possession of her.
Star and I had become buddies when I placed my trash out one night
and she proceeded to raid it before I was in even back in the house.
Not having any dog food I gathered table scraps and left overs to give
her instead of the trash. She gratefully accepted them and sort of
“moved into” our backyard and was my children’s constant companion
and playmate. I located her owner finally and informed him I was
claiming the dog. He really didn’t seem to care.
So after 2 months in our new home we had a new dog as well and
Star repaid us with that kindness by having puppies.
Homes were found for the puppies and Star made a trip to the vet to
be spayed. We repaired the fence where she had been
getting out and kept her confined to the yard.
On several occasions Star prevented someone from breaking into our
home as we slept we found parts of a torn shirt and pants on a couple
of occasions blood all over the dog…..none of it hers.
When I became pregnant Star went along for my walks on her leash.
She had taken to a life as my house baby and only the backyard quite well,
although we knew she missed roaming especially at the White Castle
hamburger place not far from our house.
As my pace slowed so did Star’s. I didn’t have to tug on her leash
and plead with her to slow down she just did.
On crossing streets Star would wait at the the curb with me placing
her body between mine and the street until I told it was okay to go on.
She stopped a would be abductor of our oldest daughter one day as
my daughter was walking to a friends house and I told her to take Star
along on the leash. The car pulled up my daughter was spoken to
and she backed away from the vehicle. The car turned around and the
passenger opened the door and attempted to grab my daughter…
Star lunged at the man grabbing onto his arm not letting go.
My daughter ran home and within a couple minutes Star came running
home dragging her leash behind. Sniffing her girl all over I checked
Star….remnants of a sleeve and lots of blood but again none of it Star’s.
When the last 2 babies were born..Star would allow them to crawl all
over her as she lay one the floor. When the first attempts at walking
were made Star was right at their side for support.
She could catch a ball quite well and my boys created the national
debt in tennis ball purchases playing catch with Star.
She LOVED the 4th of July. We kept her in the garage then as she would
chase bottle rockets and catch them letting them pop in her mouth.
Taste testing dad’s barbecue was a must to insure our safety at eating his
cooking and no barbecue was complete without Star to “test” the food.
Star was poisoned while confined in her own yard by an unknown party.
The vet diagnosed it as antifreeze. Star had been in her own yard sunning
herself on the porch while I watched her. I left the room only for a moment to
change the baby. Star was in the middle of the yard chewing on something.
Knowing I had given her nothing I went out and took it away from her.
Star became sick within an hour. Frantic calls to our vet and an emergency
trip. Our vet did everything humanly possible to save our Star.
After a couple days it appeared Star was recovering but would have to
have a special home cooked diet for the rest of her life.
No problem I already cooked for 8 people..the dog would be no problem
but it was not to be. After my last visit…Star went into massive convulsions
a frantic call from the vet….we rushed to Star.
As I watched her body convulse I burst into sobs I knew my
“big ole brown dog” was never coming home.
Between seizures Star would moan as in pain and it broke my heart.
She was sedated to stop the seizures and spent a quiet restful night.
As I arrived for my last visit…..I went up to her cage she looked at me
tipped her tail several times licked my hand and looked into my eyes.
The light that was once there so brightly was gone…I told her it was
okay…..if she needed to go on to a better place to go…I would be all right.
She looked at me again and let out a sigh…….as my tears flowed
the vet quietly checked her her eyes filled with tears and she said
“I’m sorry……Star has passed…”
The next day we brought home Star’s body and placed her in her
resting spot in the back yard and planted a rose bush over her.
Star….a rose among thorns you are always in my heart
never to be forgotten.
Bette
| Star |