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* Today is National Dog Day, so here’s Oscar…
* The Question: What is/was your favorite dog? Tell us the story.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:17 pm
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Years ago I got a beagle hound named Rocket late in his life. He was blind, deaf, slow and sounded like a fog horn when he was on a trail but lived to chase rabbits. I used him to train my younger dogs that were fast, energetic and often ran over rabbit trails. That old dog trailed rabbits up to the day before he died, he was by far the best hound I ever had.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:22 pm
At age 59 - I can truly say I have never lived without a dog. My first was an Australian Shepard that came to our house about two weeks after I did - He lived to be 21 and was my constant companion - the list is semi long - The two chows - “The Roosevelt Dog” Teddy and Frank. The period where I had Dutch, Doc, and Dolly - an Airedale, a Rottwieler, and a Labrador. Dolly, the Black lab was my first service dog and she was fierce in her service and protection of me. Now, I have Willie - a yellow Labrador who is my second service dog and was half trained by Dolly as her replacement and cross trained as my hunting dog. Probably out of them all - it would be Dolly, as I watched her faithful service, and her willingness to accept the new pup and put forth the effort to teach him. Her elegance and grace in her end days as she passed her torch. Darn it - now I miss all the dogs that have filled my life with such a steady stream of unconditional love and service.
Comment by DownSouth Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:26 pm
We had a mutt for more than a decade. Not a particularly distinguished looking dog. But he had unique fur patterns on his chest.
He would sometimes be gone for a few days at a time. And we were never confident where he had traveled to.
But throughout his years, we would always see puppied and younger dogs in the community that had the same unique fur pattern.
After he passed away, we always felt that his spirit lived on in many of his progeny
Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:28 pm
If you don’t want a dog, don’t let your kids know they exist. I couldn’t resist buying our family’s first dog, an Alaskan Malamute named Sam, after my young son asked when god would give us a dog. That and his plaintive eyes melted my heart.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:32 pm
I have had the fortune to have some great dogs in my life. I am not an emotional person but I do get a bit shaky when I think of my trusty companions that have passed on. My current pooch is getting long in the tooth and hopefully still has a couple of good years left. I love my dogs for all of the same reasons DownSouth stated.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:34 pm
I have had a lot of dogs but my favorite was Sam, a redbone coonhound. When I was in my teens, a neighbor gave me him as a puppy. He was very friendly and man did he love to hunt. When I went to college, Sam became my Dad’s best friend. He followed him everywhere. They have since been reunited in heaven. RIP.
Comment by pool boy Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:35 pm
(Don’t read this story in front of Oscar)
Many years ago, I was lucky to be friends with a most wonderful dog named Ruby…We found her at the city dog pound and later found She assumed any food on anyone’s plate was fair game.
One afternoon, I got up and walked to the kitchen to make myself a sandwich…I put together what my Wife calls a Dagwood…I took my lunch back to my den…put the sandwich on the coffee table and the door bell rang…when I returned to the den to eat my sandwich, I found only the bottom piece of bread… and Ruby on her back…under the table…with mustard on her nose…asleep.
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:39 pm
Jerry a boarder collie who lived to be 20.
Comment by Not a Billionaire Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:46 pm
Our half Australian Shepherd half Pyrenees is 11-1/2 years old and 100 lbs. Destressed the oak floor in our kitchen, and will dig up near the bushes in our back. Someday when he is gone my wife will be tearful that day - the next day will getting estimates on kitchen remodeling.
Comment by bogey golfer Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:47 pm
Favorite dogs are Snoopy and his fedora-wearing brother Spike. Charles Schulz was a genius.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:48 pm
Until I was five, we lived on a farm just off of Route 6. My dog Milo and I would race around the house and terrorize the cats except when people came to visit, when for some reason Milo always had to be tied up on the clothesline. When we moved into town my parents told me Mile couldn’t come because the new owners of the farm thought he was such a wonderful dog that he had to stay with the farm.
Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:49 pm
Pheasant hunting on Veteran’s Day 2004 behind my dad’s Britney spaniel, Rosie. Shot three birds on private ground. Four good friends enjoying a pleasant day. A picture of us is on my desk. Sadly, two of us have died of cancer since then.
Rosie was a special dog when it came to bird hunting. A phenomenal nose and intensity on point. She could find birds hidden under a pile of leaves and wouldn’t leave until every last one was flushed. Sweet and gentle temperament.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 2:59 pm
When I was 10 I had a dog ‘Wiskers’ who roamed Kankakee (no leash laws back then), and he was a the dog equivalent of a “hood”, as they were known in the 50s. Always getting in fights, hellraising. My brother and I got about 6 baby chicks at some stores “Grand Opening” and put them in a box and kept them between our twin beds. That evening, watching tv, noticed we hadn’t seen/heard the dog for awhile. About the same time my brother and I got panicky, ran to the bedroom, and upon entering, all we see is his tail wagging between the beds…..we yelled his name…..and up popped his head, with feathers around his mouth. In time, we had to put him to sleep. One row too many.
Comment by Sayitaintso Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:02 pm
I’ve always had at least one dog. It’s hard to pick a favorite best friend. All of them except one have made it to 13. If I had to pick though it would be my Spikey. She was a big loveable gentle giant (Dane/Coonhound mix maybe?) Sweetest dog that I have ever owned. I lost her 4 years ago and still grieve.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:03 pm
Every dog is an angel from God and you get the right one at the right time.
Comment by Dog Lover Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:04 pm
Shawnee, golden retriever I used to duck hunt with. I didn’t really want a second dog but my wife insisted and that golden adopted me as hers. At three months old she started following me down to the newspaper box every morning. She would wait at the top of the driveway in a sit position where the ditch started because she knew that was the boundary. I would then get the paper out of the box and then put it in her mouth. She would then carry it all the way up to the house (about 200 feet) and inside. If I didn’t say anything she would sit next to my chair and give it back to me after I got coffee, if I said take it to mom, she would take it to my wife. She did this every morning until the day before we had to put her down. She still wanted to do it, it was her job and but the pain was too great. I loved that dog I never wanted.
Comment by snakepliskin69 Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:08 pm
So many good dogs have blessed my life, so many stories. Many years ago we had a Bluetick named Ginger. She was equally good at treeing squirrels or raccoons. The rest of the time she performed watch dog and welcoming duties. You might think she was useful for keeping raccoons out of the sweetcorn. You might think that, but you’d be wrong. Ginger developed a taste for sweetcorn herself, and wiped out an entire patch one night. From then on she was tied during when the corn was ready to harvest.
Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:09 pm
Had a yellow lab named Huxley. Lasted 12 years and was the best bog with my kids even when they were just crawling and liked to pull his tail and ears. Never a cross eye or a growl out of him.
Comment by The Real Captain Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:19 pm
I have a Yellow Lab. And at 85 lbs she believes she is a lap dog. Rescued her from the shelter when she was barely a year old, she had already been in 3 other homes. Her tail is missing about 2 inches where it is said it had been shut in a car door. She had kennel cough and even with treatments she has a lasting inability to breathe easy, and overheats quickly. She is a born tracker, is obsessed with squirrels absolutely refuses to retrieve anything. She won’t get into water above her stomach and loves boat rides.
If I have been gone longer than a week, we speak on the phone otherwise she will mope and look out the window waiting.
I have had dogs, cats and even a spider monkey as pets. This one is not a pet, she is a companion and trusted friend who has unconditional love.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:22 pm
I have two dachshund mixed mutts Bueller and Anyone. Love their size and affection. Some of the yelping, maybe not.
Comment by Pius Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:22 pm
I’ve had many dogs through the years and they all have a place in my heart. But my favorite was Bufus, half Bluetick, half whatever. He had a bark that rattled the windows. I inherited him in college from the guys who lived in the house next door. They all left for home at summer break and left Bufus. He traveled with me across America, and to Mexico. He climbed 14′ers in Colorado with me. He’s been gone 40 years and I still miss him.
Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:26 pm
The current occupant, Jack Straw Herer, might be the best puppy I’ve ever raised - we’ll see how adult Jack stacks up against some real hall of famers. Hard to choose, but we rescued a chihuahua mix named Bubba during a really tumultuous time in our lives. He was this chill, steady, loving force in our lives when we needed him most and he died not long after we were back on our feet. He was only with us for about 5 years, but that little dude put this family on that tiny back and carried us through the roughest of the rough patches and left when his work was done. Jack’s head is bigger than Bubba’s total body weight, but he’s following a true giant.
Comment by Kelly Cassidy Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:28 pm
When I was a youngster my parents had a German Shepard named Duchess. She was the best dog. After my Parents divorced I never seen her again. I always told my wife and daughter about her. So I was out of town working and came home to a little puppy name Duchess. She was my girl. She’s gone now but the best dog ever. When my daughter was out on a date she would wait in front of her bedroom door until she got home. Once she heard the car pull into the driveway she was at the door. So no nonsense in the driveway.
Comment by Club J Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:29 pm
I couldn’t pick just one…They were all my favorites.
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:32 pm
Oscar: gimme food
Comment by Gdubya Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:34 pm
Seven wonderful dives across 40 years. I had a deaf Dalmatian who did everything by hand signals. He was very smart, just deaf.
My current dog is a nine year old flat coated retriever named Berkeley. If she thinks I have overslept, she grabs a sock out of the laundry basket and attempts to shove it in my ear. But she won’t let me take it from her. Subtle.
Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:42 pm
When my children were young and asking for a dog they were told: For the next 30 days walk to the corner and back twice per day and on day 31 we will get our dog. Both of my older daughters took up the challenge and gave up before finishing. My two youngest teamed up and pulled it off on their second try. We got the dog and yet it remained my job to walk the dog twice per day. Some things never change. Unfortunately now Conan is showing his age.
Comment by Peters Piece Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:45 pm
Prince is an Australian cattle dog my wife bought for the kids over my strong protests. His mom was a red heeler and his dad was a blue heeler, so to the kids, that made him purple, hence, Prince. The poor little pup would whine all night if he was left alone in the living room, so I started sleeping on the couch until he got old enough to be housebroken and started sleeping under a couch.
He ‘adopted’ me and now Prince is irrevocably a daddy’s dog. He loves to hike, run, play frisbee, do tricks for the kids, and of course, chase squirrels, but especially hang out with me.
Comment by The Ford Lawyer Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:48 pm
Bucky, our 13 year old 25 lb. pound Cockapoo Naperville Humane Society Rescue. The most gentle and lovable dog we have ever been blessed to have living with us. He sleeps in our bed and rules the house. Kids adore him.Unbelievably smart and fun. A little “person” who travels well if vacations allow. He makes our house a home and is a critical member of our family. He lowers my blood pressure daily!
Comment by RTA Chair Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:48 pm
Trying to pick a favorite amongst all the dogs I’ve had is like trying to pick a favorite ice cream flavor. I don’t think it is possible. They all have their distinct characteristics which make them special.
Comment by Pelonski Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:52 pm
Jack is a black lab. He is a fine hunting dog and a better companion.
Comment by flea Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 3:56 pm
My dog story: Just out of the Army, struggling to re-adjust to civilian life and start grad school, I was rescued by a German short-haired pointer named Satchel (usually shortened to Satch). I didn’t plan for it to happen, but when he hit me with those deep brown eyes and reached out a paw . . . well, that was all it took. Satch jumped from side to side in the back seat as we drove off to his forever home, testing the breeze from the open windows and whining softly in excitement at his sudden freedom. Then, with no prompting at all, he sat down behind me, and leaned forward to rest his chin on my shoulder, staying there until I pulled into the drive. That was the start of a fifteen year friendship so wonderfully rich that I still weep at the memory. Older than my classmates by five years or so, much older by experiences in the military, the only vet in my cohort at a time of frequent hostility to vets and the military, alone in an unfamiliar setting, I put up all sorts of barriers. Satchel forced me out from behind them. Our daily romps in the park got me back in the outdoors to watch the changing seasons, stretch my legs and re-charge my spirits. His vibrating tail always encouraged people to stop to meet him; chatting with them drew me out of my shell. And then, near the end of his life, Satch befriended an attractive young woman with green eyes and a sparkling laugh. His canine intuition clearly sensed something, for she and I have been together now for over thirty years.
Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 4:00 pm
My parents got a beagle when I was in high school. My Dad would make such a fuss over the dog. One day my Mom said “I think you like that dog more than you like me!” My Dad grinned and said, “Well, can you chase rabbits?”
They both had a good laugh about that and it was one of their many tales they often told to others.
Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 4:17 pm
When I was little, my grandma had a dog. He was fun and sweet, but he wasn’t my dog, and our family had not had a dog. When he passed, my Grandma was broken hearted and cried for days. I didn’t get it. Why would someone be so upset about a dog?
Fast forward to today. We got our first dog last fall. He is a wonderful, sweet, loving, cuddly doodle that can immediately bring my stress level down several notches and make me smile at any moment. He has been an incredible gift in our lives, particularly during these past months of home isolation. And I am tearing up right now at the idea that someday he will no longer be with us.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 4:28 pm
All of my good dogs did way more for me than I did for them.
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 4:28 pm
I love just about all dogs. If I would have to pick one, it would be an all beef Vienna Chicago style hot dog at a ball game.NO ketchup.
Comment by The Magnificent Purple Walnut Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 4:28 pm
Growing up we always had one or two dogs around the house and at least one cat along with some other furry critters. One of those dogs was my mom’s terrier mix. Her name was Shan and she was always having puppies. One year soon after having a litter my dad brought home a black and white Maine Coon kitten whose mother had been killed and put him in with our dogs litter. Our dog took him right in. Up until that time we had never kept one of Shan’s pups. One out of this litter caught Dad’s attention. Dad named him Ink because he kept running out of the pen. He and his brother the cat named Bandit for his black mask were quite the pair and became our favorites. Ink used to love to follow me and my brother to the local swimming hole.
Comment by Bemused Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 4:58 pm
Lady Leona, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
I brought her home to my two cats. She grew up around those cats. I’m not sure she knew she was a dog.
She was my constant companion. She was always parked under my chair when I worked at home. One day I looked and she wasn’t under my chair. She had followed my boyfriend out to his car and when he took off she got lost I guess. I started to panic when I got a call from a local vet. Someone found her and the vet ran the chip.
Cavaliers were bred to be lap dogs. She tried her very best to live up to that.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 6:17 pm
Dassa good boi right there
Comment by Commisar Gritty Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 6:40 pm
We had a standard poodle named “Coco” in the sixties - my one and only dog. He was so smart. Sometimes it seemed like he could read my mind. He definitely understood English.
My parents would not allow us have a dog no matter how much my brother and I begged and pleaded.
But one day my little sister was at a pharmacy with my mom when some lady walked in with a bunch of poodle pups she was giving away and my sister actually convinced my mom to take one.
(My sister could be really annoying. And my mom could never resist a good deal.)
P.S. Oscar looks awfully cute today.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 7:12 pm
Our poodle played piano, sang and strummed a banjo…no kidding. Brilliant dog, understood English…lived 17 years. Too bad this was before David Letterman’s Stupid Pet Tricks. She would have been the top dog.
Comment by Southern Girl Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 7:31 pm
I got Champ when I was 5. As a pup we took him to the park. On the way home he jumped out of my sisters arms to chase me and was hit by a car. The vet said Champ will die soon and we said our goodbyes and waited. Champ finally died the day after I graduated college. No part of my childhood doesn’t involve him and he was the best.
Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 7:34 pm
Definitely Gene & Judes on River Road, in River Grove. Best Hot Dogs in the world.
If your referring to canines, then my black Labrador called Keo. Labradors are great with kids and are versatile enough to go hunting or fishing. Loved that dog.
Comment by Franklin Park Mayor Wednesday, Aug 26, 20 @ 8:24 pm
MrsJM’s father raised the best dog to ever walk the face of God’s green earth — a fun, friendly and disciplined Rottweiler named Cody.
My niece’s mother taught her to be afraid of dogs from infancy, but that gentle and loveable giant won her over when she was four.
Today my niece is roommates with a 90-lb half-idiot, rescue pitbull.
(No dogs for me though — life’s hard enough without a beloved family member dying every ten years or so.)
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Aug 27, 20 @ 9:05 am