If You Like Dogs Read This

[Brian Degulis]

This whole thing was so strange I thought I'd share it with my HOF friends. My family and I are dog people 15 years ago when I moved to FL I took in 4 strays that were living in the industrial park that we moved a business into. Two of them stayed at the shop and two traveled with me from home to work we came here 15 years ago so all but one has died all had long healthy happy lives. The last survivor was a 17 year old chow pit bull mix that stayed at the shop. Wednesday morning she couldn't get up and was having trouble breathing so we took her to the Vet and had her put to rest very sad. It takes a lot to bring hardened iron workers to tears but she was part of the crew for so long like I said very sad.

Wednesday afternoon I'm one my way to Tampa to meet with a customer I get a call on my cell pull over to answer and he tells me his plane came in an hour late and he's running behind. I didn't realize when I pulled over that I was directly in front of Animal Control (dog pound) in Tampa. So I got an hour to kill so I go in there's a wall in the office with around 15 photos of dogs that are available for adoption I pick out an American Bull Dog mix around 70 lbs and ask the women if I can see that dog. She punches in the ID # and says I'm sorry that photo should have been taken down that dogs euthanasia date was today and it's been put down. As I'm walking out a uniform worker talking on a radio signals me to wait he gets off his radio and tells me that the dog may not have been put down yet and asks if I can wait a few minutes.

As we are walking back to the kennel area he's telling that anytime they have a dog they think might make a good pet they postpone the euthanasia date one time maybe twice but no more than that. He went on to tell me that this was such a sweet dog they changed the ID # and postponed her date 4 times but today was it. Well he leaves me waiting a few minutes and comes out with the dog and she truly is a wonderful dog quiet calm affectionate a real pleaser brown and white female bull dog mix around 2 years old. As I was filling out the paper work I asked the guy how close they were to putting her down. He kneeled down on the floor embraced the dog and said "To close way to close" thanked me and walked out.

Well she's a wonderful dog play full affectionate and not a hint of aggression she's fine with my 4 year old daughter and just seems to like everyone. So is this whole thing a coincidence or just dumb luck or fait or divine intervention what do you think?

Brian

 

[Skip]

Brian-
That's a great story. Thanks for sharing.
Skip

 

[Rickysa]

I'm not sure what you'd call it, other than it was simply meant to be.

We have worked with Golden Retriever Rescue....fostering dogs, and of course keeping several. We picked "Sally" up on her euthanasia date also...13 years later (last June) she passed.

Wow, still get teary over of it.

All I know is that I truely believe the dogs know that they have been saved.

Congratulations on your new family member.

Rick

 

[ThirdHatt]

GREAT story Brian! Congrats on your new dog. I wish you many, many years of fun times.

It was meant to be!

 

[Avenger]

All I know is that I truely believe the dogs know that they have been saved.

You beat me to it.

I've known a few families that have adopted pets that way, and oh yeah.... they know.

Great story. Thanks.

Got a picture?

 

[skrmetta90]

I'm a huge dog guy, a HUGE dog guy. First, i'm sorry for the loss of your long time friend. That's never easy. On a good note, I love hearing great things like the story of your new sidekick! We fostered a couple of stray dogs last year, it took a while to place them both (brothers and one was deaf, so we couldn't seperate) but we did. In the end is was all worth it. We picked up a stray that we kept a little over a year ago. She was a puppy and in little haiti! I can vouch for the guys who said they know when they've been saved; I've never had this affectionate of a dog, and she has a lot of pit bull in her. Anyway, congratulations on the new companion, pics would be great!

Mitch

 

[JLR]

I do not mean to hijack the thread but as a dog lover myself, I could use some good advice. We have two collies--age 1 and 2. They have never been out on our boats (56 MY and 43 Open). I desperately need to get them onboard and comfortable on the boats so that I need not board them when we go away. What's the best way to get your dogs to love being on the water. Thanks.

 

[Imthebeachgirl]

Brian, that is a great story, and that dog was meant to be with you...timing is everything!!! We are dog lovers too...grew up with poodles, labs and our kids had a shar pei and a pug...my hubby swears that there is nothing better than a mutt....we just love 'um....please add pictures when you can?

Cheers, Laurie & Jim

 

[captddis]

Brian, you put a tear in my eye. Great story that was meant to be. I am sure she will be a great addition to the family. Putting my Springer down on her 14th birthday was the hardest thing I ever had to do. My deepest sympathy on the loss of your friend and congrats on your new friend.
If anyone loves dogs they need to get a copy of "Rescuing Sprite" by Mark Levin. A tearjerker for sure, but worth it. Dave

 

[Dave Phipps]

To all you dog lovers; God Bless You!!!

Dogs were put here for a reason; they teach us how to live; how to be happy in the moment, how to forgive, and that life is short. If I could, I would buy large ranch as a home for unwanted dogs.......maybe in my next life.

Brian, that was a great story....she was meant to be for you and your family! Maybe other folks will look into adoption at their local ASPCA kennel.

I have an airdale, soon to be 6, to whom I owe a lot!

dave

 

[drburke]

Years ago an associate explained the difference between dogs and other animals as pets. He swore that although a cat will be pleasant enough to have around, dogs were the only creatures other than us which seem to have a conscience.

I fondly recall the many times one of mine would be unable to resist some forbidden thing, and that guilty look of remorse I would get... They really are close companions, anxious to please and aware if they don't quite live up to expectations.

DAN

 

[yachtsmanbill]

I do not mean to hijack the thread but as a dog lover myself, I could use some good advice. We have two collies--age 1 and 2. They have never been out on our boats (56 MY and 43 Open). I desperately need to get them onboard and comfortable on the boats so that I need not board them when we go away. What's the best way to get your dogs to love being on the water. Thanks.

Just take them out with you, and when they see you having fun, they'll join right in. At the place where I kept my Roamer, there were several dog families. None were ever on a leash. It was great to let the guys jump off the boat and run down the dock for bizness and then run back. I'd have to get on the dock to put them aboard, but at 25 lbs that wasnt too bad. All I hafta say is "goin' to the boat?" and they are all ears. Butch is almost 15 now and enjoying his twilght years and Trooper was 4 on Jan 1st.
Dogs RULE !! ws

 

[ThirdHatt]

Yachtsmanbill, I never noticed the name of your Roamer before now. I assume that "Heart of Glass" means that in your heart you always wanted a boat made of GLASS! I am so glad that you finally have your Hatt!!! LOL

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Aw come on man... ya know I'm a softie. When my dad died and I got his boat, the gal I was head over heals in love with screwed me over ROYALY !
It genuinely broke my heart of glass. ;-(
28 years later, I'm still wounded, but the quality of life has improved. Geez, I can wait to get the sub out on the lake this summer.
BYAM (thats a good one no?) its been two years of Hatterasin' with the Roamer in the barn, since Ive been out on the lake!
God bless SMOOTH MOVE; he invited me to help run his boat up to Jesse Jackson Harbor when he launches next month. I'm chompin' at the bit !!! ws

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Do dogs like boats? Yes, they love boats. Just bring them along, they'll be fine. Here's Skipper, our golden retriever aboard:

 

[SereneWarrior]

We rescued/adopted our Zoe, a black Lab, one year ago from the local pound. In that year, our only regret is that we could not also adopt her sister. She absolutely loves the boat and being on the water! And you could not find a more affectionate dog. We have yet to figure out the "doing the business" part of having her out all day on the boat, but she has proven to be remarkably self-controlled. She just holds it as long as she has to. We've tried bringing along a box of sod, "Puppy Pads, etc. to no avail. She's decided that it's terra firma or nothing. For now that's been OK, but we know that eventually she'll have to learn to go on the boat for longer trips. Any tips to encourage her are welcome.

 

[Brian Degulis]

Great responses Meet Cleo (the dog) and Hayley my daughter they're in seperable

Brian

 

[Walter P]

My former father in law had a great saying... "The more I know people, the more I like my dog". Possibly not original but the meaning was well taken. He was a fine old Dutchman who really loved dogs.

Walt

 

[dwaynec]

It is funny how it works. When we bought the Hatt, and decided to live aboard year around, we also decided not to get another dog. At that time our last dog, a doxie, had just died.

Then one day last fall we went to our daughters place in the country for supper. They have a german shephard that they had just adopted a few months earlier. Well, we pull up and immediately notice that they now have two dogs in the yard.

It seem like somebody had dumped a beautiful female Doberman in the area, and she showed up to play with their dog. Well, to make a long story short, she adopted us and went home with us. Best dog we have ever had.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Boat dogs need boat dog names...The best one I have ever heard was a golden retriever on a live aboard. His name was "teak". Isn't that perfect. We had a Newfie for 13 years. She was a great female named "Abby". When we first got her as a puppy, I knew she would grow up to be a big black dog. I had the perfect name, but the rest of the family turned it down..."Oprah". Not bad eh? She was not a good boat dog as she all too frequently jumped in the water and off the boat.