Stray black lab mix story.

[Don Fernando]

btw happy bday Michael.

Guess who's sitting in our backyard?

After feeding her this morning and sitting with her in the front yard a couple of times for 10-15 minutes here and there. I opened the gate to the back yard and started scoop'n the poop'n leaving the gate open and trying to go in and out of her view. She became curious and laid down an watched. Then, when I was done I sat, out of her view, in my plastic adirondack chair where I am sitting now smoking the Kristoff Maduro my son gave me. She came about half way back between our houses toward the gate, but would not come back further.

I decided it was time to move. Earlier today I found an old purple collar and matching 4' leash that I think had belonged to Zoe and put it on the workbench on our patio. I left the collar and took the leash and walked toward her. She retreated to the front yard and laid down, so I went over and petted her and scratched behind her ears, then kept scratching with my left hand while reaching for the leash in my right back pocket with my right. I slipped it under her left front leg chest and back up and over in front of her right front leg and cinched it up. I stood up, tugged gently on the leash and said c'mon and she did! She went very, very hesitantly but she walked with me through the gate to the backyard and I closed the gate behind us.

Now she's sitting about 10 feet from me watching me smoke my cigar. I've not called Jan or Dianne yet. I'm still thinking and debating in my head.

Plus, Rockie and Zoe get "into it" ever other month or so. Most often when they are both after the same thing, whether it be a kid on the other side of the fence teasing them through the fence or a squirrel running along the top of the fence or roof. They'll bump then go after each other until I yell or have to go break them up. They've not yet drawn each others blood, but the fur sure gets to flying about.

The last dog Rockie got ahold of was pretty messed up when I got the little guy out of Rockie's jaws. But then, Rockie was IMO protecting us and Zoe. After all, the little guy broke his tether, ran across the street and attacked Zoe. He got in a few good bites, but not breaking the skin on her neck, but he did leave a gash on her lip that bled a litttle. While I was carrying him back to his family he bit my third finger on my left hand.

My wife Debbie just came out and talked to Oprah; Deb doesn't like the name Oprah at all much less for such a pretty dog. She wouldn't go to Deb but she didn't back away either. Good sign me thinks.

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

btw happy bday Michael.

Thank you sir!

Sounds like a great birthday.

Congrats.

Your wife is a smart woman. Name change in order.

[14holestogie]

Just a little devious letting the wife choose a new name for Oprah.
That just may work. I like it.

Congrats on the birthday and getting your birthday wish.

A happy ending... I'm both sad and happy and still have a lump in my throat.

Well, I got my birthday wish. Oprah just left with Jan. I called her and she was grocery shopping and said she could be here in 30 minutes. She came over, I took her to the back yard and now Sadie and she got along fine. I put the leash on her and we walked back out front and she didn't put up a fight when I put her in the back seat of Jan's daughters car. Sadie will be visiting the vet tomorrow and Jan said she's probably going to board her at the vet during the day for the first few days so she didn't take the kennel that Dianne had offered. But I told her I'd hold it for her and she agreed she may want it later on.

Jan said she'd keep me posted and I'll revisit this thread and post any news I get.

I didn't get to keep her but I'm confident that she's with somebody who will take good care of her and she's only a few blocks away.

Thanks for reading and caring.

Respectfully,
Michael