I know that this diary is conceited, egotistical and doesn't add a single thing towards getting Democrats elected, but I wanted to covey a story of one of humankind's cruelest traits - abandonment, and it's vaccine - hope.
Whether abandoning an animal, a person, a cause. To turn one's back on need without thought, even if malice is not involved, though not necessarily make you the worst person in the world - it denied you an opportunity to make a positive change. These tiny acts of empathy are true treasures that can enrich your psyche, even for a brief moment and recharge humankind's greatest psychological gift - hope.
This is Billy (aka BillyDog, William James, DammitBilly, Gooddog, Billybillybilly). Around these parts he's classified as a "dump dog". A dump dog is one that has been rescued/found rummaging around municipal dumpsters, dropped off by people who don't want another dog in their house/farm.
My father in law rescued him about 12 years ago, and Billy has been a wonderful addition of the menagerie. At 29 pounds, he is the Alpha of our 3 others (Chester 92lbs, Darwin 32lbs, and Angus 4.6 on the richter scale).
A mighty mouse hunter, he puts our 2 cats to shame in rodent eradication, and likes nothing better than nom nom nomming on an opossum dumb enough to enter Billy's range of operations. He lacks the power to actually do physical harm to a possum (their only natural predator is good 'ol Detroit Iron), but he can shake it around until he gets bored. Only a squirrel with suicidal ideations will risk a jaunt to the bird feeder, with Billy on the prowl.
So there you have it, a loyal, ferociously protective, slightly neurotic (due from getting beat up a lot by other dogs before we got him), absolutely fearless of any size dog (he's teaching the St.Bernard the ropes of pack behavior), and who's favorite display of affection towards people is to crawl onto your chest and start licking your face, hands, neck or any other exposed flesh.
Brindle colored fur, a little bit of a pot belly, floppy ears, pointy snout, spindly legs delicate paws. Assertive, but not aggressive to new dogs. Warms quickly to new people (he'd make an excellent therapy dog). But what is he made out of?
So that's the background. Now here's the fun part. We sent away for a DNA analysis of what his background entails. Take a look at the pix and let me know if I should ask for my money back - lol.
What? Who? Me?
Dressage is only for horses?
Billy and Darwin's favorite TV viewing spots with Dad
Comforting his dad after month-long hospital stay
Here's the fun part - Billy's DNA analysis, and hoooboy it's quite a mix:
On a personal note, even though my other dogs are pure breeds, please, please please give the loyal mutt a chance for rescue from abandonment - especially in areas where people treat animals as "throw away" appliances.
A house with hope, transforms into a home.