Tuesday
Linda
I believe I mentioned in a previous blog that Ruby was going to have a new buddy. He’s a year old brindle pit bull named Shiner. Here is his story. About eight months ago a young woman brought a little pit bull pup into the Veterinary Clinic where my daughter-in-law volunteers. She brought him in to get his vaccinations and asked if they knew of any one who would like to give the pup a home. She was at her wits end as her husband had just received orders to San Diego, California where pit bulls are banned. She had tried to find a home for him, but time was getting short. Her last resort was to send him to the animal shelter where they promptly told her that they would put him down the moment she walked out of the door. My daughter-in-law told her not to get her hopes up but maybe her in-laws would take him. She called the animal shelter to verify the ladies story and she got the same answer.
Ruby and Shiner
To tell you the truth I wasn’t sure if I wanted a male dog. I have always had females. I wasn’t even sure if a pit could be a good farm dog. They like to chase everything. I know because we have had them before, but despite that they were wonderful dogs. Sonny and I discussed it and I could not allow this little pup to be destroyed without having a chance. Every dejected, misfit animal seems to find my door. It took months before my son and his wife could get Shiner to us. By the way, my son named him Shiner and I figured out later that it is a Texas beer. They got him vaccinated and neutered him and taught him some manners. Ruby loved her new buddy the moment he arrived. They have become best friends. Shiner is a great dog. He is submissive and sensitive, likes attention and gives a lot of love. He knows he is the last man on the totem pole of the pack and I will keep it that way. Ruby is fed first, comes in the door first and gets cookies first. It is discipline. We have had him a month now and he is learning the rules pretty well.
We have introduced him to the chickens but he knows he must stay back from the fence. He is learning to come when I call him and to stay close by, but he is a little hard headed. There have been a few puppy incidents but that’s to be expected. He’s just a year old and has a lot to learn. He’s a good boy and we already love him. As for becoming a good farm dog? I think it’s possible, but not without a lot of trials, as it would be with most any dog. A note on Ruby. She showed us this weekend how she has grown into a wonderful dog and has overcome her past. We took her to a rabies clinic to get her shots updated. A rabies clinic is done in a lot of towns where a vet comes out to a location to give shots at a discounted price. It helps those who wouldn’t normally take their pets to a vet. Anyway there are all kinds of people and pets waiting in a line to get shots. People are talking and dogs are barking and excited. I thought Ruby would be frantic, panting nervously with her tail tucked between her legs. I couldn’t have been more wrong. She was the best behaved dog there. No barking, friendly, and calm as a cucumber.
It just shows how with a lot of time and work a dog who was deemed useless, and unwanted could become the best dog in the world. I think it only right that Shiner be given the same chance. There are a lot of good dogs out there hidden under layers of dejection, rejection, and mistreatment. Some are deemed unworthy of life just because of their breed. All are thrown into a group. The animal shelters are full of unwanted dogs. If you think you want a dog check there first or check out the rescue organizations, and be sure to spay or neuter your pets. I don’t know about anyone else, but our dogs are great company and I don’t know what I would do without them. They are part of the family. We are a pack.
Off-Grid in West Virginia 
Way to go Shiner! Ive been asking Clarissa for Shiner updates!!! Our lil gurl, Cobi was a pound puppy! They definetely make the most appreciated companions!Of course we spoiled her rotten and continue to do so on a daily basis! She’s a lil big for her britches sometimes, but all our “special needs” pups deserve a extra cookie now and then! The reason the dogs are so wonderful in disposition has alot to do with you guys being so wonderful too! Take care ! Look forward to the next installment!xoxox
dogs can be very unique and awesome. I had a big ole Boxer come in the yard this morning, barking at me to beat the band. Needless to say, don’t come in my yard barking at ME, or we are going DOWN!!! The nerve of that dog, barking at me in my own yard!!! But my brother rescued a pit bull pup. I hated it at first, because he use to just chain the dog in his yard and go on about his business. It is senseless to chain a dog up and just throw food and water at it. But this dog goes everywhere with him and is a good boy dog.
I miss my lil guy! I’m glad he is adjusting!!
Our guys are farm dogs. They sure let us know if anyone is coming up the road well before we hear it.
He’s a good dog! He was a hard-headed pip of a pup – so he got the name Shiner. The beer’s logo is a ram’s head so I figured it fit just fine. …not to mention he’s brown and tan, also.
There are still a few more years of puppy inside of him yet. Plenty of chewing time and acting silly.
You guys gave him a good foundation. It makes it whole lot easier to work with him. By the way, he got in the shower with me and although he could use one there wasn’t enough room.
Shower- ALL Harold’s fault. He trained Dakota to do it too. We don’t have a detachable shower head so it was just easier to get in with them. He’s such a knucklehead!