I've spent quite a little space here discussing our dog Scruffy's untimely death, but, before I put the topic to bed, I realized I should write a few words about how she came to be a part of our family and what she was like when alive!
My wife & I were working as volunteers at an animal rescue organization -- PAWS -- in Aberdeen. One day a women brought in a dirty little dog. She said that they had a new dog and didn't need this one anymore -- talk about a callous perspective! She signed the necessary form, then lit out the door. She didn't even bother to say goodbye!
The little dog (who looked sort of like Benji -- a mutt with some Cairn Terrier in her) was placed in a carrier in the front office. She was trembling terribly as it was obvious that she was terrified beyond belief. When I took a break from cleaning out cages, I came out into the office to visit the frightened pooch. I let her out of the carrier and took her with me into one of the back rooms.
It took a little bit of coaxing, but I could tell that she was eager for some attention and affection. I immediately took to her as she seemed to have a serene personality and my wife agreed.
As it was coming to the end of the day, one of the other volunteers started loading up the dogs in the PAWS van to take them to Central Park -- while the cats stayed on site, there wasn't enough room to house the dogs. Most of the dogs were big and several were very rambunctious. I was worried that little Scruffy might have a coronary on the 15 minute ride, so I asked if we could take her home with us overnight. The director said that was okay.
My wife was a bit nervous about this arrangement because she KNOWS that I have a tendency to become very attached to things and beings quickly. Of course, she had a bona fide reason to be concerned!! Once Scruffy came home with us, she never left. :-) Though, in the end, my wife agreed readily that she should stay.
Because of past abuse and/or neglect, Scruffy was starved for love and stability. Since I was the first person to offer this, I became her God! From day one, she followed me wherever I went.
She loved to go on car rides with one caveat. I had to go too. There were many times when only Della was going someplace and Scruffy would refuse to get in the car if I wasn't getting in too. If I happened to go someplace and she wasn't invited to go (which was very infrequent), she let me know of her disappointment the moment I stepped foot in the house! She would sing a song of woe to me and gently nip at my hands.
In fact, she was an accomplished singer. She would sing when she was excited or happy and, sometimes, for no apparent reason at all.
When I was in a lot of pain from my fibromyalgia -- a frequent occurrence -- she was always there to try to cheer me up. She loved to sit on my lap in my living room chair, sit at (or on!) my feet in my computer room or find her favorite spot next to my sleeping mat (note: I don't sleep in a bed).
While I had to walk our other two dogs on their leashes, Scruffy rarely wore a leash. She didn't need one as she stayed very close and, if she strayed a bit, all I had to do was call her name softly and she was right back on my heel.
All in all, she was the most well-behaved dog I've ever had as a member of my family. I think I had to scold her only twice in 2 1/2 years. I've written here before that I spend a great deal of my time alone -- a common AS characteristic -- but, with her passing, I realize that statement wasn't entirely true. No, I spend a great deal of my time without direct human contact, but not alone because Scruffy was usually with me.
Now that she's gone, I am indeed spending a lot of my time alone. Maybe that's why I miss her so much right now.
My wife & I were working as volunteers at an animal rescue organization -- PAWS -- in Aberdeen. One day a women brought in a dirty little dog. She said that they had a new dog and didn't need this one anymore -- talk about a callous perspective! She signed the necessary form, then lit out the door. She didn't even bother to say goodbye!
The little dog (who looked sort of like Benji -- a mutt with some Cairn Terrier in her) was placed in a carrier in the front office. She was trembling terribly as it was obvious that she was terrified beyond belief. When I took a break from cleaning out cages, I came out into the office to visit the frightened pooch. I let her out of the carrier and took her with me into one of the back rooms.
It took a little bit of coaxing, but I could tell that she was eager for some attention and affection. I immediately took to her as she seemed to have a serene personality and my wife agreed.
As it was coming to the end of the day, one of the other volunteers started loading up the dogs in the PAWS van to take them to Central Park -- while the cats stayed on site, there wasn't enough room to house the dogs. Most of the dogs were big and several were very rambunctious. I was worried that little Scruffy might have a coronary on the 15 minute ride, so I asked if we could take her home with us overnight. The director said that was okay.
My wife was a bit nervous about this arrangement because she KNOWS that I have a tendency to become very attached to things and beings quickly. Of course, she had a bona fide reason to be concerned!! Once Scruffy came home with us, she never left. :-) Though, in the end, my wife agreed readily that she should stay.
Because of past abuse and/or neglect, Scruffy was starved for love and stability. Since I was the first person to offer this, I became her God! From day one, she followed me wherever I went.
She loved to go on car rides with one caveat. I had to go too. There were many times when only Della was going someplace and Scruffy would refuse to get in the car if I wasn't getting in too. If I happened to go someplace and she wasn't invited to go (which was very infrequent), she let me know of her disappointment the moment I stepped foot in the house! She would sing a song of woe to me and gently nip at my hands.
In fact, she was an accomplished singer. She would sing when she was excited or happy and, sometimes, for no apparent reason at all.
When I was in a lot of pain from my fibromyalgia -- a frequent occurrence -- she was always there to try to cheer me up. She loved to sit on my lap in my living room chair, sit at (or on!) my feet in my computer room or find her favorite spot next to my sleeping mat (note: I don't sleep in a bed).
While I had to walk our other two dogs on their leashes, Scruffy rarely wore a leash. She didn't need one as she stayed very close and, if she strayed a bit, all I had to do was call her name softly and she was right back on my heel.
All in all, she was the most well-behaved dog I've ever had as a member of my family. I think I had to scold her only twice in 2 1/2 years. I've written here before that I spend a great deal of my time alone -- a common AS characteristic -- but, with her passing, I realize that statement wasn't entirely true. No, I spend a great deal of my time without direct human contact, but not alone because Scruffy was usually with me.
Now that she's gone, I am indeed spending a lot of my time alone. Maybe that's why I miss her so much right now.
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