Pain and Pleasure of Pooches

By Sarah E. Anderson

I've been a dog owner since my parents brought Molly, a little black terrier puppy, home when I was five years old, and I can't imagine my life without having a dog in it.  Currently, I have two. I got Gabby from the Douglas County Humane Society when I was in college.  She is the most stubborn, difficult dog on the planet, but we've been together through thick and thin and have been through many "adventures" together. 

One that comes to mind is the night I lost her.  Both of my dogs like to ride in the car and jump up as soon as I grab my keys.  I'd taken Gabby somewhere one night and then we went to my parents house.  My parents live in a very wooded area, which is every dog's dream.  Unfortunately, unlike my parents' dogs, Gabby is not allowed to experience the woods on her own, because she has decided that she will determine where her boundaries are and what time she should come inside.  Gabby makes all the decisions about what she will and won't do.  

For some reason, I was feeling generous and decided to let Gabby run into the woods that night.  Half an hour later, she had not returned.  My mom and I called her and eventually, we woke my dad up.  I walked back towards the woods, my dad went to check out the railroad tracks across the street and my mom drove up and down the road.  Hours later, I was cold, wet (of course, it started raining), bleeding from many encounters with tree limbs in the dark and on the verge of tears, when I heard my mom calling me.  I ran through the woods and up the hill to the house.  Both of my parents look as if they wanted to kill me, and immediately, I saw why.  Gabby, who could not be bothered, was curled up and sound asleep in the corner of my old bedroom.    

Around the beginning of 2010, I decided Gabby needed a little sibling to help keep her in line.  I love big dogs, and I wanted to adopt a homeless puppy, so I was excited to see an ad for German Shepherd mix puppies on a neighboring county's humane society website. A few days later, I brought Sadie home.  I couldn't wait to watch this tiny ball of fur grow into a strapping 100 plus pound dog.  Sadie is about a year old now and last time she visited our vet's office she weighed in just under 30 pounds.  As it turns out, she's actually an Australian Shepherd mix. 

Of course, dogs are at the top of my list, but I love all animals and can't wait to start learning more about all of your "critters."   From animal rescue organizations to pet-oriented events, or even a heart-warming story about a special pet, I'd love to hear all about Douglasville's furriest residents!