I usually don't post about personal things...other than my artwork ;) but this topic really got me thinking about a dog we had, and had to give up. He is a big shepherd, border collie mix of some sort, with a cock-eyed floppy ear and markings like a dairy cow. He is goofy, smart and has way more energy than I could ever imagine one dog could have. He was quite the contrast to our old, blind-in one-eye dobie-shepherd mix--not to mention the cats. The short of it is, I couldn't handle him. He had a whopping case of leash aggression, so I spent walks trying to hold my ground and keep him under control. Walking him with our other dog (who still has quite the pull for an old guy), felt like I was driving an out of control stage coach. As he matured, he got more and more protective. Then...he bit our neighbor. Fortunately she's a good friend and an unbelievably gracious person, or an already bad situation would have been much, much worse. I witnessed the whole thing, and I can say with great certainty, his behavior at that moment was utterly ferocious. So we sadly surrendered him to a local humane society (no kill facility).
My hope is that, by now, he is running around somewhere on the other side of the mountains, chasing sheep!
We do miss him. His is a good dog-- ferocious...but good.
This is a little portrait drawing I did of him for last year's holiday card. Sigh.
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| copyright 2010 E R Stanton |
Ferociously Gorgeous! We had a similar experience with a dog that we had when I was a kid...sad! I'm going to go along with the thought that he's running free enjoying life on the mountain! POP ART MINIS
ReplyDeleteAwww! I feel for you Elizabeth. I know that we love our pets unconditionally, but sometimes they put us in that place of no return. Thanks for sharing your heart and your beautiful holiday rendering of Mr. Ferocious. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI'll go with the running free on the mountain. My BIL's farm is at the base of an Idaho mt. and the family dogs like to go on walkabout up there.
ReplyDeleteWith a face like that?? Ferocious? I don't believe it! :( Beautiful drawing, as always.
ReplyDeletethanks for the story. your drawing is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHell Elizabeth:
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sad story and one which, we are sure, was painful to revisit. Such a strong and loving face, but eyes that certainly have a determination about them, almost fixing one in their gaze. We are certain that your decision to give the dog up was a wise one. One instinctively knows when a task is beyond one's capabilities and, as you say, we hope too that Mr Ferocious is now living a full life without harming others.
Hey Elizabeth, you always have a good artwork for the IF stuff - gaah, I'm envy. lol But anyway, I know your feeling, if you remember about my cat, Sebi (she's passed away), she was also like that. She used to bite and kill other animals till we tried to get rid of her (to get another master). Unfortunately, she died before we give her up so it's really pathetic. Thanks for your kind comment about my Sebi back then.:)
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS SPLENDID, Elizabeth!!!!! HA....my dogs are outlines of pen and that's about it. But this guy, oh yeah, YOU CAN SENSE THE FEROCITY!!! GRRRRRRR
ReplyDeleteHello Eliabeth
ReplyDeleteThis must be difficult to write about. Your drawing of him holds much emotion and I know there was some pauses to wipe away tears as you drew this.
Our dog Spice Girl was a terror when we rescued her three years ago, she did give me a few bites and was a maniac. After a week of terror (mine) we decided to give her 3 more days and if she was unchanged we were taking her back on Tuesday and we told her so. By some miraculous intervention she pulled up her socks and started to behave. We believe she was mistreated and suspect she might have been with owners who use dogs for an illegal sport.
I believe you did what was right, albeit a very emotional and difficult choice.
Helen xx
I imagine the illustration is assisting you in the transition of having had to let a friend go.
ReplyDeleteWe had a Shepherd that was blind in one eye, too. For thirteen years.
What an expressive illustration - that bold 'look you straight in the eye' is one of a collie for sure.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and expressive [sad, I feel] portrait. I hope he is romping free over the mountains, too.
ReplyDeleteoh, I love his sad expression, what a beautiful portrait Elisabeth! And what a sad story. I can imagine you miss him...
ReplyDeleteIf only they could talk...beautiful portrait!
ReplyDeleteOh Elizabeth, I'm so sorry that you and your very handsome, ferocoius pup had to part ways...I know it was an extremely difficult thing to do, but it was the most noble thing to do for all involved, and I'm sure he's now chasing sheep and nipping at their heels, not at neighbors.
ReplyDeleteTruly a beautiful rendition.
xo J~
I'm howling for this magnificent fellow! What a sensitive portrait you've done. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeletehe looks beautiful! And I also hope that they found a good use for his ferocious character!
ReplyDeleteGosh, Elizabeth, your feelings are conveyed so well through your words and your beautiful portrait. You were wise to know that he belonged in a different place, but I can feel how hard that must have been. As much as we give our pets human qualities, they're still animals, and they can be mysterious and wild at times, can't they?
ReplyDeleteoh that's so sad you had to give him away, but like you I hope he is chasing sheep somewhere.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressive portrait of him.
Pretty sad story , but nice drawing. You catch some of his character ( his inner world ) through his eyes. Eyes never lie...
ReplyDeleteGood work!!
Some dogs need a lot of training and if you don't have the time or the know-how, it's best to pass them on to someone who has.
ReplyDeleteAn untrained dog is a menace.
He looks like a beautiful dog. We had a dog who started biting people too, and found a home for him in the country where a guy wanted a dog to chase away deer. But when his grandiose came to visit, the dog bit one of them, so we got the dog back, and had to have him put down, because there really isn't a place in our society for dogs, especially big powerful ones, who bite people.
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful! If interested, let me know what you might charge to do a portrait of a dog of mine.
ReplyDeleteHow sad... but surely, as you say, he must be happy right now chasing sheeps. All animal lovers must carry some sad stories such as this one, but hopefully there are more happy memories to look back to.
ReplyDeleteLovely use of the color, by the way.
ohhh he had such gentle eyes!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, have you watched Marley & Me?
just thought you might like it (a bit reminds me of your story)!
xoxo ♥
Sad story but beautiful portrait:)
ReplyDeleteAw, this reminds me of my childhood dog, Pete. He was a pound dog who had been abused as a pup, & although he was very sweet most of the time, he had a hair trigger. Unfortunately my dad stubbornly defended him & even refused to leash him, despite repeated attacks on friends, deliverymen, & passersby. He even attacked a small child visiting the house once. Finally Dad reluctantly agreed to give Pete to my grandparents, who lived out in the countryside. It was a huge relief for me, because I was so afraid there would be a real tragedy if we kept him. I know it was a hard decision for him as it was for you, but you did the right thing.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous drawing and pup! :o)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you had to let him go...