The Vegas Voice 3-21
PetsBy: Stu Cooper / Happy AdventuresIf and when I write my autobiography, the titlewill be “My Older Brother was a Dog.” Notthat anybody will read it, but I hope my childrenmight take a look at it.And the first story I will tell them about is my older brother, a “Heinz57” variety of a dog named Woody. He was part of my family before Iwas. He was already two years old when I cameinto the world and for thefirst fourteen yearsof my life he was avery important partof my life.From my earliestmemories, it was my responsibilityto care for him, to play with him, tofeed himand to treat him as part of the family. Back in the 50s there was noleash laws, so every morning by 7:00 am Woody would wake me up tolet him out.I would wait the ten or fifteen minutes until he came back. Then Ipoured his morning meal in his bowl and either climb back into bedor get ready for school.In the afternoon, I would take him for his walk to the local greenBy: Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker / Out & Aboutlike to talk to my dog. No, I don’t mean thatI Watson, my three-year-old Bichon rescuedog, and I sit arounddiscussing melting polarice caps or Amanda Gorman’s newest poem.That would be ridiculous! But I must admitWatson is a pretty good listener, especially whenwe are talking about something of a mutualconcern - like what does Watson want for dinner,or does Watson want to visit a new dog park?And there’s another hot topic that attracts alot of attention in our house. It’s who knockedover the wastebasket?Admittedly, this is not a subject Watson enjoysbecause he can’t fool me. I immediately knowwho did it. But he certainly pays attention whenhe suspects there might be some discipliningcoming, or his precious treats may be put upon a shelf.Watson is a bichon frise. They are known to be very intelligent dogswith an interesting history that includes everything from pleasingEuropean royalty to amusing circus crowds. I have always been drawnto this breed because they are free thinkers.38My Pal WatsonMarch 2021area, unleashhim, and let himrun around fora few minutes. Iwould play fetchwith him andtake a long walkwith him. He wasmy best friend.After Woody, wehad many dogsStu & Caseyculminatingwith our most recent “Minnie Pincher” Casey. She was our rescue.She had a tough first five years of life in a puppy mill just being amomma and making babies.By the time she got to us she was emotionally damaged. Shenever lived inside, never walked on floors, never played on grass. It wasa tough adjustment for her.Over time, she became a loving, though independent sole. Shebecame a congenital lap dog. We had her for ten years. Taking her inas a rescue, in my mind, was a good deed and we gave Casey a great life.For the Cooper family, dogs have been an important part of ourfamily life and brought joy and companionship to us, our childrenand grandchildren.Many years ago I sent my first bichon to a doggy camp,so it could learn some manners. But after only a few days, Ireceived a call from the trainer who told me I needed to pick up my dog.All the other dogs were at attention, but mydog was running in circles trying to createa rebellion. I acted embarrassed at my dog’sconduct, but secretly I couldn’t have been moreproud that he could think for himself.Our dog predictably starts every day with asnappy walk around our neighborhood followedby breakfast and an assortment of daytimeactivities, which usually include a few shorterrands by car and daily visits to see the wildrabbits that are around our house.Watson doesn’t try to catch them. It keepshim amused until precisely 3 pm when Watson’sinner clock fires up and dictates it’s time to go toour dog park.Watson’s canine friends are already theremunching on treats, and new dogs are greetedby sniffing rituals that would make anybody blush.Next month we’ll help Watson learn how to travel.Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker is a travel agent and the owner ofVegas Vacationers Inc. She can be reached at:Merryman2@aol.com
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