Over the years she's taken in many animals that would not have made it without her TLC. One of these is SHARK Dog. It's not his real name; I call him that cuz, well, see for yourself.
SHARK Dog was a racing greyhound. He had been badly treated and had a lot of damage by the time my MIL took him on. But she nurtured him and he's a very loving and rewarding dog for her. There's a lot of management around special dogs like this, and not everyone should take it on.
Cookies are not safe around SHARK Dog!
He was lucky to have my MIL But many animals are not so lucky - and most of them are gentle and loving and don't require special management like SHARK Dog. Even I have an adopted dog!
If you're thinking of getting a pet, consider the adoption option. And keep your cookies in a tin.
UPDATE - January 26 2012
Sharkdog passed away last week. He had been so well looked after by my MIL who loved him dearly. He will be missed.
You have the opportunity to make someone else smile by sharing.
<3 I have an adopted LugNut (mini schnauzer)& Carbon, the Cat, who just had 3 babies...adopted pets are AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteWe got our rabbits from the animal shelter... does that count?
ReplyDeleteWe are piecing together thoughts on Lucy, our shelter dog we brought home 2 months ago. I picked up a shoe to kill bug that came in when door was opened. She freaked out! I felt horrible she thought I was going to hit her. No dog should be scared of a shoe. Poor little dog! And one night hubs got a glass bottle from fridg. She was terrified. Breaks my heart to wonder what happened to her. She looked well cared for but there is obviously a story of abuse from her reactions. Glad there are people like your MIL that will take on the challenge of shark dog! As usual, your illustration is great!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this! I totally agree!! Adopt from a shelter - not only does it include spay or neuter, and microchip AS WELL as a beautiful pet with no where else to go
ReplyDeleteLove it. Our little Jack Russel Daisy is a rescue too. :-) She is pretty spastic but the most loving little thing. The best dog I've ever owned.
ReplyDeleteHa! LOVE it!!! Shark dog loves cookies like me!!
ReplyDeleteOur female Jack Russell is a little small to be a shark dog, but she has all the characteristics. Maybe a pirahna dog?
ReplyDeleteYour MIL is awesome! We also have an adopted greyhound (from GALT), although ours was a coyote hunter and not a racer. Such sweet babies!
ReplyDeleteOurs is not so much a Shark Dog, but she does do a good Velcro Dog impersonation (stuck to my side).
As the proud owner of three rescued greyhounds, I have to say this post is awesome. They can get into anything, period. They are masters of counter surfing, if it is within their reach, consider it gone.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, greyhounds are beyond amazing dogs. There are a lot of them out there that need forever homes. They are more human than dogs.
proud to say all my pets are rescued, even the husband, harder to house break but eh... whatever... I have a lot of to make up for.
ReplyDeleteTee hee! I actually kind of love Shark Dog, and think greyhounds are GORGEOUS animals.
ReplyDeleteWe've already decided that when Max starts asking for a dog (it's inevitable) we'll go through a local breed rescue to get a Boxer... love them!
My sister has 2 rescues, and one of them had to have surgery for a blocked intestine (she ate hard plastic) and when they x-rayed her, they found a bunch of buckshot embedded under her skin!!!! So sad...
I've had several mutts from shelters in my life.
ReplyDeleteI've owned one certified pure bred from a breeder.
The mutts were better dogs in every single instance.
I love my shelter doggie! She's a yellow lab mutt, now 10 years old...she's a granny dog LOL! I love her dearly. She's started drinking water like a freakin race horse here lately...her new name is Camel Dog! I expect her Camel hump to sprout any day now. No water bowl or open toilet is safe from....Camel Dog!
ReplyDeleteWe currently have two rescue greyhounds. The oldest, Sandy, is an accomplished counter surfer and sandwich thief. She lurks in the shadows and buries herself under sofa cushions to lie in wait for an opportunity. You only need to turn you back for a second. When you turn back around, half you food will be gone - so cleanly snarfed up that you will begin to imagine that you only gave yourself half as much as you originally thought. The other hound, Bean, won't take you food if you beg him to. I don't know what makes the difference, but they are amazing to live with and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Love the 'dorsal fin' and 'gills.'
ReplyDeleteBwahahahah! Eye beads...poor shark dog!
ReplyDeleteThey like bagels and can unwrap a wrapped muffin.
ReplyDeleteCondolences on the loss of SharkDog! :*-(
ReplyDeleteMy old kitty was a shelter rescue, seemingly from an abusive home. I was the only one she wasn't terrified of, and I had to condition her to be able to eat, sleep, and use her litter box without my standing perfectly still, watching over and guarding her while she did.