Thoughts from the Bark Side

We just didn’t think another dog could ever fill the void in our hearts that was made when Shilo passed away. I think we have bigger hearts than we can know. We can never fill the holes made by those that have passed on, those of the human or animal variety. We just find new places to put the newcomers.

We had registered with the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue (SCGR Rescue:http://scgrrescue.org. We had our home visit and passed, whew! We made inquiries about a few dogs, but none of them came through, until Pinky Tuscadero. The volunteer emailed us asking if we were interested in meeting her, we said, “of course” and a few days later we were in front of the Rose Bowl meeting our new dog. Pinky said, “OK, I approve, now let’s get out of here,” and off we went. We made a quick stop at the pet store. She selected a nice bed, new collar and a few toys. We also had her name changed to Shelby for the engraved tag. Pinkey was the name they used at the rescue and was not her previous name so we figured it was OK. She very much agreed with the change.

When we arrived, Shelby immediately approved her home and yard. That evening she was greeting by a large raccoon peering over the fence at her. No barking (from Shelby, not the raccoon), just staring until she got bored, and called it a night. However, she does remember where the raccoon had been and now revisits that spot every outing just in case he returns.

So it seems we have already gotten into a routine. She seems to love her walks. I’m not sure she has ever had one of those before. She knows how to sit, but we definitely have to work on stay, heel, and down. She is now curled up at my feet under my desk. Oh, she is only 65 pounds, half the weight of Shilo when we adopted him. Whereas Shilo was bigger than a normal golden, she is smaller. She is just past 3 years old. Her owners had dropped her off at the pound saying they just didn’t have the time to take care of her. And she does bark, as we discovered when the gardeners came by. It took Shilo over a month to let out a bark.

So we will continue to get to know each other. We do want to be the best humans possible for her, and I know she is equally trying to be a good dog, and she is, a very good dog indeed.
Cheers,
Susan

Hi all, Shilo here,
OK, a few days ago I felt terrible, and lost my breakfast AND dinner. Considering it was all over the furry floor, I thought my humans would be upset, but they really didn’t care, they worried about ME! The bad part was that we had to go to the doc, and do you know what he said, no food for Shilo for an entire day. Can you imagine, a dog with no food. That is cruel beyond reason. I was so thirsty and all my humans would give me was a bunch of frozen shredded water. The doc also gave me a shot, and … horrors, shaved my tummy due to, what he calls “hot spots.” OK, I must admit the smell was even more than I could take, but taking away my fur. I am humiliated.

I have all these stupid little pills to take and today, I get a “special” bath. This very strange stuff is put on my fur and left there for the longest time. But you know what my human woman did? She gave me a doggie massage while we waited until she could wash it off. Oh heavenly dog, is there anything better than a doggie massage. My back hip isn’t what it was in my pupper days, and when she massages my hip, I feel like I could race a greyhound.

So, still not feeling geat, but am well tended to. Sorry about the big mess on the furry floor, I didn’t mean it, honest!
Your buddy,
Shilo

Hi- Shilo here,
A bit of time ago, I was out in the back inspecting the perimeter making sure any marauding varmints were out of the area: Squirrels-check, raccoons-check, holy cats, what is that! I saw something move under the ivy, a tiny nose was trying to quickly take cover. What my eyes might have missed, my keen nose quickly picked up the scent and there I was in a bound (and at my age, that is quite a feat!) I immediately pawed at the ground and returned with a very small critter between my jaws. However, that little varmint went immediately limp. Now that is a puzzle because I know how to soft-mouth an animal to present it to my humans in perfect order. Not that I’ve ever done that, well, OK, once with a baby bird, but it was OK, and oh yeah, there was that other bird… but I digress. (They were FINE!)

So I proudly march over to the back door and announce my presence by giving my usual paw-tap on the glass. No answer, I tap again and finally here comes Mom. She opens the door and I majestically lay the beautiful creature at her feet, a beautiful present from her loyal dog. She lets out a scream that I don’t think people could hear, but I sure did! She starts running around like some idiot shouting about something I could not understand. I follow her into the house saying, hey, my present, what about my present, isn’t it just the best, come back and look at it. Finally she stops, turns around and her present has just disappeared. Gone. She just stood there, with her hands on her hips and said something about… well, they really do play dead. Last time I present her with a baby possum. I think Dad would have been more appreciative. I’ll remember to bring it to him the next time.
Your buddy,
Shilo

How wonderful, Shilo had his book reviewed by Jaime at “Thoughts Fur Paws”.

I have to say, this is a very, very nice review and so appreciated. When a book is to be reviewed we often hold our breath, hoping that the reader will understand the intent, but after reading Jaimie’s blogs, I had a feeling she would, she did, and wow, we are soooo humbled by her review. However, go to this MOST ADORABLE SET OF PHOTOS EVER and you might see that she was perhaps just a tiny bit curious in reading a golden retriever’s book.

Cheers,
Susan

I start out with great trepidation, as I am not sure I have enough to say to warrant a blog. I am astounded at the great wealth of pent up interior (or inferior) commentary that spews from the world’s population. Therefore, I am inviting various guest writers and astute critics to join me in observations and reflections of various subjects… whether of import or barely warranting scrutiny.

This blog was created for shamelessly promoting the book my dog wrote (just lost you? please hang in there.) Hey, it’s not called, “Thoughts from the Bark Side” for nothin’! But then again, I am a graphic and web designer, and I figured I better learn how to set one of these things up as my clients have asked about them. So I will learn as I go.

So about the book. First, here is a link to Shilo’s website: E-mails From Shilo

How does a dog come to write a book? It all started one day when I was trying to tidy up the hard drive on my computer and came across this folder of files I couldn’t read. I found a translation program online and after much angst, I finally got all the files translated. They were from Shilo to my sister’s dog Max, a lovely little Bichon Frise. Yes, I was shocked too. Now how Shilo figured out how to use my computer, I have since discovered was something he learned in his previous household. Shilo is a rescue. We have no idea why he was given up, but he is the most darling, gentle and sweet guy you could image, UNTIL he meets another dog. You see, Shilo has “issues,” something of which he writes copiously in his emails to Max. Enter Sammy, a little Basset Hound who befriends Shilo, teaching him the “way of the dog” including the history of the wolf and man’s relationship to these four-footed canines.

“E-mails From Shilo” is not a novel, it is the opposite of a novel. It is meant as a quick, fun read and if you are not a dog lover, it might not tickle your fancy. It is a family book, meant to be passed around, read outloud and, yes, made fun of. It’s OK, we can take it. Oh yes, it has over 50 illustrations . . . we do like pictures with our reading, don’t we? You will not find this book on the shelves next to Mailer, Hemmingway, Irving, or even Dave Barry. Shilo is a writer unto his own.

So that is my start at blogging. Hopefully soon I can get Shilo to poke his nose into this and have a few things to say. Still not sure how he writes, never caught him at it, but doggie see, doggie do, (I hope.)
Cheers,
Susan