All my life I have had a pet, whether it be a dog or cat, it was part of my childhood. I loved all the pets we had but I have only recently become obsessed with my dogs. I don’t understand people who do not own pets, I feel like they are missing out on something important in life. People who don’t have pets are weird and I just don’t get it.
About 12 years ago Brett and I were driving down Northwest Highway in Dallas when we saw a thin, straggly dog attempting to cross the highway. We had been thinking about getting a dog for quite some time and it was the right time and place. We stopped and after 2 hours patiently trying to bribe the dog with food it seemed like she just gave up and gave in. I gave her some love and put her in the car. Voila, Diva was adopted. We thought she was a Doberman but as she grew it became obvious that she was a Rottweiler.
Diva was perfectly behaved. She never once ate anything or peed in the house. From day one she was an angel, sweet and gentle and so happy to have a home. This is the best dog I have ever had. We would take her to my in-law’s house to play with their Labs and she became a fetching machine. It was her favorite thing to do. She never once tried to run away and we never had to put a leash on her, she wasn’t going anywhere. She was right where she belonged.
Diva had hip dysplasia and the vet told us her hips were only 10% in the sockets. I never realized how severe it was until we got our new dog and realized she never jumped, ever, she couldn’t. She had a couple of strokes that were really scary. At one point she could not walk with her back legs. We had to put a towel under her to hold her rear end up. We decided to take her to my in-laws to see her friends and once she saw them running around she suddenly remembered her back legs! She was up and running with the pack in minutes and I have never been more relieved in my life.
We lost Diva almost 2 years ago in Ruidosa and it was devastating. It was time for her to go to dog heaven. The 2 months after that were miserable because the house was so quiet. Then one day I woke up and there was a dog on our porch! It had to be fate! I let him in and our Redbone Coonhound has not left since, we named him Baxter. He is completely different from Diva. He is all boy and is not gentle at all. He is very well-behaved and jumps like a madman. I love him so much! I do not compare the 2 dogs because that’s not fair to them. He has transformed our house into a happy place again.
I have found that dogs are amazing anti-depressants. When they greet you at the door life is great again! I can’t imagine not having one in our house. A dog can change your life and it is always for the better. So, if you don’t have one run and adopt one. They know you have saved them and will be the most loyal companion you will ever have. I think Baxter is going to need a friend soon, if only I can convince my husband.
The night is calling... 