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Continuing on the theme of friends, I want to share about some friends I’ve had of the non-human variety.
But first I want to note that this post was inspired by nine and half hours ahead’s The hounds of mescall
There have been more such friends than I can recount here – below are just three of my stories.
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Shannon was a male shepherd/wolf dog. The runt of the litter, he grew to be the biggest of all his brothers and sisters.
Even when full-grown at about 120 pounds of lean muscle, Shannon was still my beloved puppy.
He was a free-spirited animal and my most loyal friend.
We walked together for hours each day. I loved him with all my heart.
When I was happy, he was happy too.
When I was sad, he’d rest his head on my lap and whine sympathetically.
When I was nervous or scared of something he was on full alert.
He was also an excellent judge of character – I learned to be wary of anyone he growled at.
Once when tobogganing down an icy hill, I became frightened. The sled was going too fast and I was headed straight for the road.
Shannon placed his body right in my path to save me. I was afraid he would get hurt so I threw myself off the sled and came to a stop just a few short feet from where he stood.
Shannon was my loyal friend and my protector.
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Every Wednesday night, my best friend would come over and we would sit and talk until the early hours of the morning.
When it was time for her to go home I would walk her home because she was uncomfortable walking alone at night.
The truth is I was scared of walking alone too, but I was too proud to let on.
I would drop her at her door and then brace myself for the mile-long walk back to my place.
I perceived every noise, every dark shadow as a threat to my safety.
More often than not, a white dog would appear, his white coat gleaming in the moonlight.
He always stayed close enough to make me feel safe, but far enough that I couldn’t reach out and touch him.
He would lead the way in front of me and take me all the way to the top of my driveway.
I would thank him and wish him a goodnight. But if I tried to pet him, he backed away.
He would watch me walk down my driveway and open my door, and would leave when I turned around to take one last look.
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On one of my trips to the Dominican Republic I got up very early one morning so that I could walk on the beach to watch and photograph the sunrise.
As I stepped onto the beach the sky was still pitch black. I could barely see my hand in front of my face.
It was deathly quiet save for the waves crashing on the beach.
As the light began to break through the blackness, even before I could see the sun on the horizon, I sensed that I was not alone.
Matching my speed, a short distance to my right, was a dog.
I squatted down and called to her. She scrambled over to me, her tail wagging as I petted her.
From that moment on she walked with me at my side, my silent companion.
When I stopped to take a picture, she stopped.
When I started walking again, she walked.
As it became brighter out, other people started showing up on the beach.
Whenever a person got too close to me, Amiga, as I called her, would bark and growl and wouldn’t stop until I spoke softly and reassuringly to her.
~
These friends, although not of the human variety were there when I needed them. And these moments were no less significant to me than when my human friends have been there for me.
My sunrise shots below
Have you ever had this type of experience with an animal?
If so, please share your story below.
katkasia said:
I’m not generally a dog person, but these stories are delightful! I especially like the one about the white dog guardian.
I do recall a farm dog, in Tasmania, who joined us for a walk down to his local waterfall. he trotted along beside us, and leapt joyously into the water at the bottom, biting at the waves. Braver than me – there were huge leeches!
When we left, he looked quite crestfallen, but i think he was just entertaining himself when he had a break from farm duties.
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dianasschwenk said:
What a great story – thank you for stopping by and sharing it. 🙂
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russtowne said:
What a beautiful post, Diana! I loved these stories. Angels in fur! Friends of the non-human variety are often some of the best kind of friends anywhere!
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
Their love is so unconditional isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by Russ, always great to hear from you!
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Russel Ray Photos said:
Pretty friends, and yes, I have had similar experiences on the beaches in South Texas where I grew up. I always thought the dogs had been abandoned, which made them somewhat friendly but not friendly enough so I could take one home with me.
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artsifrtsy said:
My mom got a chihuahua about 3 months before I was born – they said that she sat on my lap while I was in the womb:) As a child she followed me everywhere. When I started the first grade I would walk home for lunch and put on a large coat and put her inside. This was in Las Vegas so it was almost always too hot for a coat, let alone a chihuahua lined one. No one ever caught me smuggling her into class. On the way home I would put her on the sidewalk and she followed me home. When I went on a school trip she sat at our front door until I got home. If I had a fever she slept in the crook of my knees to warm me up. I used to lie to my friends and say I had a big sister – named Pee Wee. Lovely post. Thanks for reminding me how much we connect with them.
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Brigitte said:
Diana, I grew up with animals, dogs. We had several collies (we’d name each one Lassie) and we have two dogs now. They are our children and they’re always there when I need them and the way you describe your first pup, it’s so like that! I loved this story — it’s written so beautifully and your pictures are wonderful! Thanks for this — just what I needed on a Wednesday.
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re welcome and thank you for your kind words!
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joannerambling said:
Loved the photos and the story such nice looking dogs and they are so loveing and good listeners and they don’t talk back………….lol
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Joanne!
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Andrea Kelly said:
Animals are absolutely amazing! I have some health issues and my two cats always know when I’m not feeling well. They are great companions 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
that’s good to hear. 🙂 That they’re good companions that is, not that you have health issue…
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Andrea Kelly said:
I understand! Luckily the health issues aren’t permanent, but their friendship and the memories of love they’ve given me, are 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Then that is indeed good to hear…
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mindfuldiary said:
Warming story Diana. Dogs are the best friends. I used to have have a tiny dog called Ella, I loved that dog with my whole heart, unfortunately she was hit by a car and died. I cryed for 3 days straight. Nothing can replace that friendship. I never had a dog again. Btw, such beautiful photos of sunrise. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
thanks! I am not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, but no one else has commented on them so thank you!
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newsofthetimes said:
Great post! I love this and all things canine. 🙂 my pups have been my best friends – such a pure unconditional love. And those eyes!!!! Thanks forr helping me remember to think about the important things. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks!
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changeforbetterme said:
Great post! I also love animals and wrote about a few of my pets from the past in this post http://jlroeder.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/a-morning-of-memories/
really liked the story of the white dog. Dogs are so smart and protective. I have always thought they had a great judge of character. Thanks 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
thanks, I will read it after work!
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jcgator1 said:
Hi Diana!
I do have a story concerning how special a dog can be!…Mine is a bit long however, so I decided to just include a link to the blog. The abstract of it though is basically revealing the reason why I currently want a dog so bad (I am currently looking for that special friend…dog friend that is) and its reason is concretely connected to my past experiences with dogs. Anywho. Hope you like it 🙂
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jcgator1 said:
HA, of course the link would help right? lol
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dianasschwenk said:
haha! Please ignore my last comment!
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jcgator1 said:
lol 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I don’t see the link on here but will read it after work if you post it!
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Louise G. said:
I have these experiences and am always so grateful for both the experience and the animal bringing them to me.
Love this post. You shine.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Louise and I know Ellie has been with you through thick and thin!
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billgncs said:
nobody loves you like a dog! Lovely, lovely post
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dianasschwenk said:
So true! Thanks. 🙂
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billgncs said:
if i nominate you for an award will you accept ?
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dianasschwenk said:
I would be honoured but I just don’t have time to respond to all the requirements. I am already so honoured by the fact that you read and comment. It means so much to me. How’s that for honesty?
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billgncs said:
my requirements are usually a thank you and wry or mysterious smile — I am very bad about rules….
I will send it along… I also think that if dogs don’t like someone, it is a good character warning…
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dianasschwenk said:
you’re a sweet man. I’m always inclined to say thank you and I have the wry smile down to an art! And I agree about the dog comment!
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billgncs said:
stay tuned for the nomination… and the envelope please….
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jmgoyder said:
What a beautiful post and what fantastic friends – I loved this!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Julie! xo
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danbohmer said:
Awesome story. Thanks for the mention.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks and you’re welcome!
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lisa winkler said:
We miss our family dog, a yellow labrador, Willy a lot. But it’s nice having the freedom to do things and not worry about pets too. Waiting for the children to get their own dogs and we’ll dog sit!
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dianasschwenk said:
They sure do become part of the family don’t they… the dogs I mean? Thanks for stopping by and commenting Lisa!
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