This is a story I wrote last year about a most wonderful dog that I had. Her name is "Abby".
My girl "ABBY"
On July 1, 1998 I got a call from a relatively distraught woman dealing with a dog she claimed to have taken away from an abusive person. She said to me that if I didn't come and pick her up, she would take her to the vet to be put down. Swell. Now see, at the time, and still to today actually, I've got a rescue thing going; "LuckyTown Kennels, Dalmatian Res-Q". The thing was though that I don't go get dogs for res-q, I just find new homes for them to be placed in. This was a real situation for me. Anyway, I go out to meet this lady. It was not all such a nice day, kinda rainy and humid. I sat in a mall parking lot for +/- a half hour listening to the Cubs beat up the Diamondbacks with a nice performance by Kerry Wood; some 13 strike outs. She gets there and I take this dog from her, a skinny, jittery, liver-spot girl. The story was that some miserable bastards drove into this homey neighborhood, let her out of the car and drove away. She was on the street for 2 weeks before being taken by this abusive person for 3 days. I told her that I would do the best I could. We parted company. Three hundred or so yards away I pulled into a “Steak-and-Shake” for a shake and by the time it was in my hand I decided that this dog was going to stay with me. At the time I really didn't know so much why, but that it was going to be. On the way home we stopped at the Vet's for a look-see and shots et al and $110 later I walked into my house with my new dog. Her new name was now "LuckyTown's Res-Q'ed Sweetheart"; "Abby", from the word abandoned. I've no idea why, but it was no peaches and cream. This dog didn't show any affection or need for love at all, she was actually kinda cold. I had made up my mind though that we were going to be partners. The drop-off lady called back and I told her the deal and my plans; I would get her an ILP and work obedience and agility. For some out-of-nowhere reason, this goofy broad didn't like that, and wanted her back. I told her to not call me anymore. She goes and contacts the Dal Club and starts to cause trouble. That went nowhere and the problem went away. That weekend we went to a show and this new girl came with. Less than a minute after I got her out no less than 3 top-line breeder friends of mine were on her like a cheap suit to see if she came from their line. I didn't care, she wasn't leaving me. August comes and we start training. OMG. Major League headache. I spent over the next 6 months with 2 of the best trainers in the world twice a week and this dog won't do anything, she wouldn't even look me in the face. WTF am I gonna do? On a beautiful Spring weekend we went to another show (I had 2 other show dogs at the time). I got out of the car and walked around to the back. A witness said she never took her eyes off of me and then went goofy when I was out of her sight. That sure as sure was a new thing. She also decided to unload whatever was in her all over the front of my car, missing my show jacket by millimeters. I guess for whatever odd reason, on that day she decided that she was safe with me, and would get love. Thanks for showing your affection in my messed up car. LOL @ us both. Less than a year later she was a CGC, Therapy Dog, had a CD title (almost getting a "Judy" except for a nasty judge, I'll tell that story some other time), and was a velcro member of my family. She was one of my "test-dogs" for the 4-H club training class (my deaf boy Joey joined her when he came along). She also did a great job helping me to sell dog food. She is such a great dog. Well, one thing I can't do a damned thing about, is that the late Autumn of her years has come. She has been overcome by whatever that neurological thing is that has taken away her control of her hips and back legs. That is the same thing that took away my girl "Madison" a year ago. One day this coming week she will go to the Bridge. She will be sorely missed. You can't beat time or age. Some things just really suck. Please, do me this favor this week. Hold your dogs and have good thoughts. No matter how hard we try, we'll outlive every one of our pets except for our last one. Don't save any love. Use it all up. Thank you all for reading this.
