Bear is our May 13, 2012 Pup of the Week

On March 4, 2012 we recognized a dirty, wet, black dog who was abandoned by his family during a storm and left to die then had to depend on the kindness of strangers to survive. Well now that black dog has a name, Bear, and a new home with those kind neighbors, Sandy, Maggie, Nikki and their wonderful parents.

After his parents returned, over more than two months this beautiful black baby was further mistreated, left alone, left outside, covered in ticks and fleas. Whenever he saw Sandy’s parents he would give them that pleading look, but instead of begging for a treat this poor baby was begging for a home.

Sandy’s Daddy kept knocking on the neighboring door telling the bad parents that they obviously didn’t care for the dog and to just surrender him to a family that would love him and each time they were met with a curt no. Sandy’s Daddy would then sit and pull ticks off the black dog who looked up at him begging for love.

Finally, after watching Bear have one too many close calls while chasing cars Sandy’s Dad gathered all his kibbles together and went next door, threw them at the black dog’s owners and was declared the new owner of the black dog. There was an exchange of paper work too which is a very smart thing to do for humans.

As soon as he was in his proper home he got his name, Bear, after one of our most popular dogs, now at the bridge. He got to play the zoom game running around the yard with Nikki. He got a flea and tick bath to get rid of all those parasites. And he even got to sit on a human’s bed.

Despite some initial diva dog attitude from Nikki Bear settled into his new home, no more fleas, no more ticks, just good loving and a good home. Oh, except for that vet trip.

First came the leash. The newly named Bear had never worn a leash before and when he got attached to it he rolled over on his back and refused to move. His new Mom coaxed him into the car and he finally found out what was in them and that they really weren’t worth all that trouble chasing them.

There were lots of things done that never been done before. Poking, prodding, listening, sticking something where? There? He did have worms, but not serious worms, and got medicine for that, and he did have a skin infection from years of ticks and fleas but outside of that he was one healthy dog.

There will be yucky medicine, and some nipping and fighting, but Bear is no longer the nameless, cold, wet dog. He is Bear. A member of the pack. And he has been saved by a great family. And on this Mother’s Day we should recognize a Mom who has taken in Nikki, and Bear, while providing a great home for Sandy and Maggie. So happy new home Bear and happy Mother’s Day to one of the best Mom dogs in the world.

Baron also known as Bear is our September 19, 2010 pup of the week

One thing us dogs can agree on, we do not like to be pricked. Pricked, prodded, probed, pinched, punched: we try to avoid all of these activities. But our Pup of the Week, Baron, also known as Bear, is getting pricked for all of us,

Our poor Bear has developed some mobility problems with the onset of his Senior years. It's sad for Mommies to see us when we're no longer kids, jumping, running, humping (OK maybe not that one.) Most dogtors say there isn't much they can do about it. You can't stop time.

But not Bear's Mom and not her Dogtor. They came up with a brilliant idea to use an Asian method of healing for our boy. When I first heard of it I was scared to death for him. All I could remember was the old episodes of M*A*S*H I was made to watch and how the people joked about the Asians eating dog.

But Daddy told me they don't do that. Anymore. (Anymore?) He also told me that Mommy used to go the an Acupuncturist. I didn't believe that for a second. I have been sleeping with them for ten years and Mommy doesn't like to be probed, prodded, or pricked by anyone.

I asked Mommy and she said it was true, but it hadn't given her the relief from the back pain she had hoped. But she told me if it was helping Bear then I shouldn't judge. But gosh, that's what I do best.

So I checked in on Bear and he told me he wasn't afraid of those needles at all. He said his Mommy had promised that it would help him walk better and he trusted her with his life. So he didn't have a second of fear facing the needles.

I admire that attitude. I love my Mommy, but, when she puts me up there to have my anal glands squeezed I'm thinking she's putting me in the hands of someone who is going to pinch my butt hard.

Bear is doing this so he can walk again. He has been so brave in facing his mobility issues. He believed he would walk again, his Mom believed he would walk again, and they would never give up that belief. Plus they have proven to all of us skeptics, who might believe that acupuncture on a pup was silly, that, not only is it sensible, but someday his example may cure what ever ailments of being a Senior dog are thrust upon us.

So here is to Bear, our Pup of the Week: The dog who said "I have a dream;" the dog who said "as God as my witness I will walk again;" the dog who said "Stick me baby, I'm man enough to take it," the dog who said "I am Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die."

Here's to Bear: The pup we all want to be when we grow up