{"id":19900,"date":"2015-02-06T01:22:13","date_gmt":"2015-02-06T09:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backwoodshome.com\/blogs\/ClaireWolfe\/?p=19900"},"modified":"2015-02-06T01:22:13","modified_gmt":"2015-02-06T09:22:13","slug":"laddies-tale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clairewolfe.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/06\/laddies-tale\/","title":{"rendered":"Laddie’s Tale"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following is by MamaLiberty. She sent it to me a few weeks ago to pass along to the local animal rescue group. Then she reminded me that I could use it here, also. So here you go; something nice to relieve the stress of real life and unreal nooz.<\/em><\/p>\n

Laddie’s Tale<\/strong>
\nBy Susan Callaway<\/p>\n

Laddie gets a homemade treat each morning when he cleans up his breakfast. He takes it to his bed and savors each bite, then vacuums the pad and rug around it to capture each molecule. This morning, as usual, he got done with that and came to rest his muzzle on my knee. He’s very obviously giving thanks.<\/p>\n

This morning I scratched his head as usual and said, “good dog.”<\/p>\n

And he replied:<\/p>\n

You rescued me from those who hit me and starved me. You were patient and kind while I learned to trust and love again.<\/p>\n

You give me food, warmth, play time and security. I remember when I got out once and was so lost and frightened – and then you found me and saved me again!<\/p>\n

You humans must worry about everything in the world. All I have to offer is love.<\/p>\n

I love you, and I’m so glad to be your dog.<\/em><\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

And I wept for joy. What could be more precious than that love?<\/p>\n

Laddie’s story<\/strong><\/p>\n

Laddie is a 3- 1\/2 year old Welsh Corgi male. He was originally rescued from an abusive place by the breeder who gladly took him back when she discovered his situation. She gave him to me, and I’m so glad to have found him. He’s been with me two years now.<\/p>\n

He was painfully shy and timid, willing only to be touched on the face – and that with fear. He had obviously been hit with sticks and other things because in the early months he would not approach, or tolerate approach if I had anything in my hands. Learning to come when called has been the most difficult thing, but we have made marvelous progress. He would originally not tolerate being patted, no matter how gently, on his back or hindquarters. He now seems to enjoy any kind of gentle scratching and rubbing, but is still a little shy of actual pats. He used to nip, but now just looks around warily sometimes.<\/p>\n

Laddie did not bark or make much sound of any kind for the first three or four months. I was worried about this, since one of the reasons I wanted a dog was to bark at strangers. I actually had to encourage him to bark at first, and he still does very little of it. Since Corgis are notorious for being noisy, this is actually a good thing. But though he is very aware of people who come to the house, he has only recently begun to bark sometimes, usually only rushing to the door to greet them.<\/p>\n

Anything passing on the road is well noted, however, and certain trucks, all horses, birds, dogs and people require at least a few “woofs.” And some of them require being chased from one side of the yard to another along the road. I have no idea how he figures which is which. A bunny got into the yard once, and Laddie nearly turned himself inside out trying to catch it. Good thing for the bunny that it was smaller thanthe holes in the chain link fence!<\/p>\n

In the beginning, he would stay in his bed in the basement and come out only reluctantly. Now he mirrors my every move much of the time, challenging me to race when I go up or down the stairs. I’m sure he is mighty amused that he beats me every time! The sight of the leash and “go to town” collar makes him giddy with delight, but once the leash is on he is quiet and impressively obedient.<\/p>\n

What a very good dog. And a lucky one. I hate to think of all the dogs with so much darker a beginning, and so many who have never found any rescue or love at all.<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Happy weekend. Got any shaggy (or non-shaggy) dog stories to tell? Put ’em in comments to brighten the days.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The following is by MamaLiberty. She sent it to me a few weeks ago to pass along to the local animal rescue group. Then she reminded me that I could use it here, also. So here you go; something nice to relieve the stress of real life and unreal nooz. Laddie’s Tale By Susan Callaway Laddie gets a homemade treat each morning when he cleans up his breakfast. He takes it to his bed and savors each bite, then vacuums the pad and rug around it to capture each molecule. This morning, as usual, he got done with that and…<\/p>\n

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