There is nothing quite so sweet and innocent as the little kisses from a puppy. Living out here in woods, and having the fortune or MISfortune, of 2 un-spade female dogs, we've easily had 50+ puppies grace us with their presence. Out of all the pups, there's not been a single one I was not able to give up. I have mastered the art of detachment. I've become responsible and sensible, knowing my limitations. That is, until now .................
When I was 10 years old, I got my first job ..... a paper route I inherited from my brother, who was moving on to bigger and better things, being a whole year older than I. I held this job of delivering The Rockport Pilot, for several years, until I was opted out for an easier, cheaper means of delivering the local paper in our little town, the USPS.
The highlight of my route was the last delivery on my customer list. Set a block off Fulton Beach Road, was a blue beach house on stilts, and at this house (I fail to recall the human's name, although they were very kind and wonderful people), lived a German Shepherd Dog named Toush. Twice a week I stopped to play with Toush, tossing a Frisbee, tennis ball, stick ... it didn't matter, he would catch it. And he loved to play! I found myself using part of my paper route money to bring him treats, and riding my bike over to see him even when I wasn't delivering papers. The highlight of my route, of my week, was being able to spend time playing with Toush.
10 years later, I'd grown up, I was married and had a little boy. I was working a Demo job in a little grocery store in Fulton when I happened to see Mrs. Toush in the store. I asked about him. With tears in her eyes she told me Toush had recently passed away. I cried, right there with her in the store. I was heart broken. A German Shepherd was all I had ever wanted from the day I met Toush. He was the most awesome dog, the kindest and most understanding companion I had ever known. I vowed one day, I would have me a German Shepherd.
20 years later, Winnie was deployed in Iraq and I was alone in Arkansas with Cowboy (Sam). While living at our rental house in town, a German Shepherd wandered in off the street. He was thin, I could tell he had been lost for some time, but he was beautiful! I remembered Toush. I remembered how much I had wanted such a fine dog for as long as I could recall. I temporarily named his Gus, after Gus in Lonesome Dove, my favorite movie.
I couldn't, in good conscience, keep this gorgeous canine. I had to attempt to find his owner who was undoubtedly looking for him. I called the animal shelter to report that I had him, and though no one had reported a missing GSD, they took my information just in case. I put an ad in the local paper, hoping all the time, no one would answer it. No one did. Nor did the animal shelter call. One last effort to salve my conscience, was to call in to the radio show that played every week day morning, that was of ads and offers of things wanted and for sale. I vowed I would only do this one time. I would call in, report I had found a missing GSD, and that was it, I wasn't going to do it everyday! If no one answered the call claiming him, I was keeping Gus! One call was all it took. The owners came to claim "Gus" that afternoon. I was so sad and disappointed. I knew I had done the right thing, seeing how happy Gus was to see them ..... but still, I had wanted to keep him so badly.
A short 6 months later, I was finally able to obtain my dream. I dished out the $250 and proudly took home my AKC Registered GSD! The first night, she was so afraid, I sat with her in my lap all night, outside in the carport. She wouldn't eat, she wouldn't drink. She didn't trust me. After that first night however, she was mine forever, and loyal to me and me alone. Until I introduced her to Sam. Maia was indeed, Sam's first playmate, other than myself. They roamed the yard together, they fought together, and at times, they slept together.
I remember when Maia was younger, we lived in town and boy did she love balls! Sam was playing tee-ball at the time and I had made him a 'T' to practice on in the yard. He would set his baseball there and go to swing in the clumsy way a 3-4 year old does, and by the time he was set to hit the ball ....... it was gone! Maia had taken off with it! He would get so mad at her, to the point of tears of frustration. But the end of the day would see us 3 sharing popsicles on the front porch. Maia always sitting pretty in order to get her fair share. Despite their differences, Sam was Maia's pup. She knew it was her job to take care for him, and in her younger years, she occasionally attempted to chew on him, haha. Normally, she would follow him around the yard, but sometimes Sam would just exhaust her and she'd end up sitting with me on the porch while he ran and ran. On these occasions I could tell her, "Get Sam." and off she would go to locate him.
Maia was the first dog to roam this property we're currently on. It was hers from the start. The drive out to the property before we moved here was long and treacherous in the back of my Jeep Liberty, as she would get car sick every time. We camped here often, and she loved to swim in the creek and explore the property at the young age of 1 year old. This was HER land. She knew every inch of it. But never would she stray too far, to not be back in time to stand guard outside the door of our tent as we slept. In the wild woods of Holly Mountain, despite her desire to explore and wander, she lay in front of the tent where her pup slept, she never once failed me ..... or Sam. When Sam swam at the creek, she would swim with him, and when she tired of swimming, she took her place right beside me on a flat rock that over looked the swim hole, to keep watch .... or sleep. Either way, she let me know, she was there if I needed her.
But don't think for one second, I didn't spoil my baby girl. I spent time with her everyday. I worked with her, trained her, she used to lay in my lap just like that first night she came home with me, and fall asleep. Being new to cold winters, I was worried about her getting too cold at night. I would put her "blankie" in the dryer, warm it up, and snuggle her down for the night in the wash room. She became quite spoiled to having her warm blankie. Even today, if you ask her if she wants a blankie, she will get all excited and do a dance, just as she did back then.
Happy was the day when I got a truck! Maia took to it like she took to the mountain! Never once did she jump out and run off as we rode through town, stopped at the store, or went through a drive thru. Nose in the air, sniffing and drinking in every smell, sight, and sound. She LOVED going bye bye in the truck! And good for me because there was no more doggie puke to clean up! She especially loved going to McDonald's because she knew there would be a $1 breakfast burrito or hamburger to reward her patience.
It's been some 5 years now since I've had my beloved German Shepherd. She's given up catching balls and sticks, for jumping high in the air to catch either dog food or small pebbles. Having lived out here on the mountain has changed her, mostly for the good, but some is not so good. She now shares affection, time, attention, and food (but NOT her blankie, she refuses!) with our 2 other dogs, Heelers Bear and Cody. I see her aging quickly.
I never wanted any other dogs other than my Maia. I thoroughly love and value Bear and Cody. They are members of the family, just as Maia is. But it was never my intention to make my Maia share anything. Having the instinct of the Dingoes, and being subservient to Maia, the Heelers have taken on much of the work and responsibility I had intended for Maia out here in the woods with Sam. I have come to view my Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) as more valuable in the way of protection. Perhaps it's because he's male, perhaps it's his breed, but where I know Maia would protect Sam and I, I have SEEN it in Bear. It has not, however, lessened the love I have for my beloved German Shepherd.
Recently Maia had a litter. As usual, these are half breeds with Bear. Smart, beautiful dogs as always. But one .... one stuck out. He had a single white tip at the end of his tail. At 2 weeks old, 2 WEEKS, he would bark fearlessly at what his mama barked at, before his eyes were even open. I noticed, but I refused to touch, cuddle, or comment. They would be given away. Period.
As the weeks wore on, I noticed how my Maia looked so tired. Being on patrol, Sam duty, chasing and catching critters of all sizes, and having 4 litters of pups, has drained my baby girl. This is not the life I wanted for my beautiful GSD. I've been spending more time combing her, talking to her, just letting her lay her front legs on my lap, as now, that's all that fits. She can no longer snuggle neatly in the folds of my legs. And still .... there's this one little pup ..... as he grows, he dominates. He fearlessly follows Mom where ever she goes, he eats from the bowl first, he wins every scrap with his siblings, he gets first pickings off the nasty armadillos Maia kills ........ and he looks just like his Mama. I dismiss it. At least, I try to.
Yesterday as I walked across the yard, as usual, all the pups crowded my legs, making it difficult to make a step. After much chewing and nipping I finally decided enough was enough. I sat on the ground and as they bit and clawed at me, I firmly tapped each pup on the nose with my finger and said, "No." Several times with each pup I did this. A few lost interest and left after a few minutes, but I noticed, one pup, with a white tip on his tail, nuzzled my hand instead of biting. I dismissed it. Later that day I was sitting outside and was again, attacked by puppies, nipping and biting. I held up my finger and firmly said, "No." One pup, nuzzled against my hand.This one pup, sought my hand, but did not bite. This one pup, that looks just like his mama.
Today, as I sat outside, I looked for this one pup. All the puppies came to nip and wrestle, but he waited on the way side, until they were done. Then and only then, he came up to me. He licked my hand, he exuded "Pet me, love me." I did. This one pup is temporarily named Tippy, for the single white tip at the end of of long tail. When we went to the creek today, I opened the tailgate of the truck to allow the dogs to hop in. They know where we're going. Maia was first and Tippy sat on the ground barking and barking, wanting to tag along. Although we had never taken such a young puppy to the creek, Sam pleaded Tippy's case and won. He held him in the back of the truck, but after a minute or two, Tippy was wrestling to be free. He confidently rode, with no crying or running to Maia.
At the creek it was a different story. It's a cold and scary place for such a little darling. At first, he followed Maia without complaint, down the hill to the creek and through the cold water. When Maia raced up the other side of the mountain however, he started to cry. His little legs couldn't make the jump to follow after. I called him over and without hesitation, he came to me. He climbed up and sat on the flat rock next to me. He leaned his body into me and whined a little, watching his mama do what he couldn't do. But he was alert and on guard. After a few minutes, I told him, "Go. Go with Mama. Quit your whining and find your way up." Danged if he didn't hop down from that rock and find a way to get to Maia. He followed her all over the mountain. After the big dogs explored and swam with Sam, Maia took her usual place beside me on the flat rock, while Tippy lay on the other side, snuggled up against me, and fell asleep.
Never before have I seriously considered keeping a pup. I have 3 dogs, I don't need a 4th. But this little puppy is his mama's son. Spitting image, smart, ready to obey and please, and as fearless as his 7 weeks allows him to be. It may be sentiment, it may be a fear that I won't have my Maia forever, it may be that I'm just a sucker ..... but whatever it is, I think I've fallen in love all over again. I do believe the newest member of the family will serve us as well as we serve him.
I have named him Toush.
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