Arrrgh!!!

We have an old dog. He's been with us since we build this house, about 14 years ago. My sister discovered him and his liter mates abandoned by the side of the road in Central Indiana. DH and I, and my mother were all living in apartments at the time. Sis told Mother "You NEED a dog!" She agreed to keep him for us until we moved into the house at the end of October, and we would drive down to pick him up.

We followed through, and had a memorable trip home. The pup laid across my lap for more than four hours, drooling in fear. At one point I was sure I was going to drown in dog drool. It's amazing that I came to love him despite the memory of the trip.

Mother was the one who named him. She chose "Defer." It's embarrassing when I have to explain to people that it stands for "D fer Dog." It's not that I mind his name, I just can't believe people need to have it explained.

Soooooo.....we've kept company a lot of years. He's been our early warning system. Anything that moved within 200 feet got barked at. For years he's been ferociously barking at the UPS man. One day I finally let him out to meet the guy, thinking it might stop the row, and he saunterd past the guy as if he wasn't standing there. I must have the only delivery person who actually wants a dog to recognize him.

Defer is part German Shepherd and part Beagle. He's a handsome mid-sized dog with Shepherd coloring and a Shepherd muzzle and ruff, and that's about were the Shepherd leaves off. The rest of him is all Beagle! Beagle butt, Beagle voice, Beagle nose, Beagle brain.....and Beagle willfulness.

We've had to walk him on a leash because we are within city limits. He also sees the path where we walk as his personal property and doesn't like to share. Occasionally he would streak to freedom out the front door. When he was young it would take hours to get him back. Now he's pooped in 15 minutes and comes back on his own. We discovered that using a "big dog voice" helped to catch him, so DH is the leader of Defer's pack.

Defer is the only dog I've had that doesn't roll over, or play catch or fetch. He does "sit," "shake," "shake the other paw," and "down, " but only if he thinks he will get a treat for his efforts. This dog doesn't do ANYTHING for free! My stepdaughter will hold a dog cookie between her teeth for him to take, but I'll pass on the doggie breath, thank you.

This year, in late winter and again in early spring, Defer had a stroke. Each time I was sure we would loose him. His balance center was affected. He couldn't trust his eyes, and the confusion prevented him from eatng. He staggered, trying to find his footing, and would ultimately lay in the hallway for days without eating. By the time we got to the fifth day, I was ready to talk to the vet about force feeding him. I was standing in the kitchen, getting ready to feed the cat, and figured it was worth trying to tempt Defer with a tablespoon of cat food, his all time favorite food.

It worked! I gave him another dollop, and another.....and he was on his way to recuperating. It hit again around Easter, and I was afraid he might not make it back. We went through the symptoms like old pros....and again....after about five days, he was ready to resume eating. He's gradually come back, not quite to his old self, but to an easy relationship with us.

While my nieces were with us, we bathed him. Rather than risk upsetting him with cold water, I filled three 5-gallon buckets with water to warm in the sun, and we played with him, sudsing and stroking and making it as pleasant as possible. After he air dried, we put a red bandana on him, and praised him for his beauty and clean smell. He ate it up!

Of course, I know we are on borrowed time. It won't be long now before he has another episode, and this time he might not make it back. But, I have to tell you, this has been precious time for us.

We've been kinder, more patient, more loving and gentle with him, because we know that this time with him is a boon. We've had the chance to enjoy his quirks and his interaction with family. He tires easily these days, but he's always game for a quick trip outside, followed by a nap in the sun.

I'll miss my shadow when he goes, but I'm so glad he's been a part of my life. I hope you all have someone like Defer pad through your lives, and touch your hearts.