Pooper Dog

Several weeks ago, a dog followed me back into my yard after I retrieved my mail from the mailbox. I noted it was female and sorely malnourished. I was cautious at first and really didn't even want to get near her because I know some abandoned dogs can be a little aggressive and defensive. She cautiously approached me as I held out my empty hand. Her posture told me she just wanted some help and love. She was obviously a bulldog mix but my Fiancee and I weren't sure what else was in her. She had puppies at some fairly recent time and had some mange on her chest and right foreleg. We could see her ribs and other bones through her skin so we fed her one of the cans of dog food we already had for our outside dog. The lost dog was noted to have a number tattooed on the inside of her right rear leg. She wore no collar but it looked as if she may have been tied out with a cable or rope around her neck at some point. We decided the best thing to do was to call Animal Control.

The longer we spent with this precious dog the more we fell in love with her and the more she opened up to us. We could tell she was thankful for the food and treats we lavished on her as we awaited the arrival of Animal Control. We accepted our petting and talking to her and wagged the nub which is her tail rapidly the whole time. She finally laid down on the porch as we continued to wait and tried to catch a little nap.

The Animal Control Officer's pick-up truck pulled down the drive. The Officer got out and looked at the dog for a short time which wagged her nubby tail when she first saw him. He stepped back to his truck and got the dreaded pole. The dog immediately started to bark and growl and try to find an exit off the porch. She had obviously been restrained by one of these devices in the past. Once she was loaded into the truck, we spoke with the Officer about what would happen to her and how we might go about adopting her. He patiently responded to all our queries and was off to the pound with the stray, frightened dog.

We had to wait a week to see if anyone would claim her. With the required time limit reached, we traveled to the Laurens County Pound to adopt this precious and loving dog. We brought her home as an inside dog and she has been learning us as well as the two of us learning her. We named her Credence. One of the meanings of credence is having faith or giving trust to some one or some thing. She chose to trust us with her well being thus Credence seemed to fit her.

We have had some tiny issues with obedience but those may be attributed to our learning curve from both sides. The one thing that was a rather irritating issue is the indoor pooping problem when she was left alone for a short time. Coming home to a stinky poop pile in your floor is not a great way to be welcomed home. Credence knew she'd done something bad as soon as we would walk into the house. Like an abused child, I feel she was just afraid of being left alone again. and her nerves just took over. Now she can be left for hours at a time and not become the Pooper Dog she had been at first.

This dog has been found to be a Boxer-Bulldog mix and has the most expressive face. She's short and very strong since she has gained her weight back. She would ride with you to hell and back just as long as you keep the rear windows down for her. She loves those rides! I pity anyone who might try to hurt her Mommy or Daddy. Though she is the relative newcomer to this household, Credence has already displayed signs of protecting but has yet to find an enemy. She's trusting, loving and is always up for a belly-rub.

Here's my point. Show kindness to a dog and love them as you would your own child and they will return that love and will protect you even if it means giving up their own life. If you have room in your home, go to the pound or the shelter and adopt a dog. Giving a second chance to a lost or unwanted dog is a life-changing pleasure. Just have patience and love them. Try to see things from their perspective when you deal with them. Love them. Care for them. Play with them. Take them for rides and walks. They will love you for it and you will change for the better.