DOG TAILS
Caspar
Enjoy stories of our rescued dogs and their undeniable mark on our lives. If these stories inspire you, please consider rescuing a "new best friend" by checking out dog rescue resources on our links page. Read "Commitment to Dog Rescue" under "About Us" to see how Sarah and Buff first became involved in dog rescue.
Domingos Family Spring 2013
Dogs We Have Loved
by Sarah Domingos
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From a pet point of view my sister Buff and I grew up in a fairly standard middle class home for the sixties. One “pet quality” purebred dog – Coco – purchased – and a variety of cats – the first purchased; later ones rescues from the local shelter. Once a year visits to the vet for rabies vaccinations and standard kibble from the grocery store.
Fast forward fifty years. Four rescued dogs. No cats – allergies. Every vaccination known to man and dog. Minimum of 2 visits to the vet per dog per year. Vet school consultations. Doggie acupuncture. Doggie day care. Dog trainers. Professional pooper scooper. Crates and dog beds in practically every room. A special mudroom for the dogs. Dog door. Outdoor hot and cold shower enclosure for bathing dogs. A separate deck and ramp for dogs designed for easy use by elderly or arthritic dogs. Fenced in yard with padlocked gates. Premium kibble. Greek yogurt. Fresh cooked sweet potatoes. Supplements galore – fish oil, vitamins, glucosamine, Sam-e, milk thistle, probiotics. The most important thing about the dogs in our household today is that we love them without reserve and take good care of all their physical and emotional needs. We indulge them because they are our substitute children, but the bottom line is that our dogs know they are secure and loved, and we know that they are as healthy and happy as we are able to make them. |
One family member stands out in our memory from childhood – an older cousin named Hazel who took in every stray cat and dog she came across. Our mother used to joke that if you combined all of Hazel’s cats, she would only have one complete cat. She had one with three legs; one with one ear missing; one with its tail missing; another with only one eye. Hazel had a tender heart, and animals rallied around her adoringly.
Buff follows in her footsteps. She is a dog magnet. Let’s face it – dogs like me. I could even say they love me. But they absolutely adore my sister. They recognize a kindred spirit, and in Buff they find one. We both love dogs, and we’ve had a couple that probably loved me more – Caspar and now Howie. But in general Buff is the one to whom dogs gravitate, like children to the pied piper. Over the past 35 years Buff and I have rescued a multitude of dogs, most of whose stories have ended happily in wonderful homes. Between us we have adopted fifteen of those dogs - dogs extra special to us – dogs with whom we wanted to share our lives. Dogs who became a part of our family, who lived with us, slept in our rooms and beds, shared our lives, our hopes and fears and dreams. Dogs who came to love us without reservation, without judgment. |
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A few years ago a friend put together a very special picture book for my fiftieth birthday – a book showcasing each and every one of the dogs Buff and I have cherished and lived with throughout our lives. It holds pride of place in our home and is shared with special friends who visit our family.
Our Family Dogs:
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Coco
Burke April Rusty |
Shadow
Sadie Caspar Amber |
Leo
Plato Merlin Effie |
Beauregard
Bashful Zeke Howie |