I love dogs of all kinds…I own two doxies, a bulldog and a pug right now. I’d have more if my husband wouldn’t divorce me. What drives me nuts is these “designer dogs” A couple of years ago, they were just mutts. Now people spend huge amounts of money for them when they can go to the shelter and get a “mutt” Crazy.

I was at a pound this week checking out the “adoptees.” The place was about 65% pit bulls. Huddled amongst those growling canines in cages (not all were growling, some were very sweet), were some truly terrific looking (but painfully sad) mutts begging for a good home. It was hard not to stuff the car with the lot of them. Plenty of cats and rabbits too. There was even a rooster! The pound should be Stop Number One for anyone looking for a furry companion.

I was not looking for a dog when I found Henry. I was looking for my friend, Walter, who could neither see nor hear particularly well, and had wandered off from the Yogurt stand while my back was turned. I had taken Walter to the mall to be fitted for a new suit. He’d been asked to speak at some auspicious gathering, and had decided a new suit was in order. So my first thought, was to see if he’d gone back to the Men’s Wear store, and when I didn’t find him there began craning my neck into each shop I passed. One of these shops was a pet store. Henry was lying in one of the window cages. Our eyes met. And even though I continued my search until I found Walter fingering belt buckles at a kiosk some distance from the pet store, I hurried him back to the car, and declined his offer of refreshments when I dropped him at his home. Then I raced back to the mall. It was, after all, a half-price puppy sale. And I was in the midst of a relatively lucrative project. The sign said he was a pure-bred cocker, but after only a few minutes in the play room, I could tell he was a sick little boy. Scrambling just a few feet from my feet to my knees as I sat on the floor, made him cough. But he loved me right away, I could tell. And I loved him right back. Now, six years later, I don’t believe he is a pure-bred cocker. His legs are too long, and his snout is too straight and his temperament is just too mellow. So I’m glad I only paid half-price. And he was in need of some anti-biotics. But mostly, he just needed to run. At the pet store, they were just moving him back and forth from the display cage to a “pneumatic cage” in the back of the store. So, even though I paid for him, I sort of feel like I rescued him, too. He knew how to fetch right away. But the first time he broke into a run after the ball, he stopped, turned and gave me a look like “Is it okay?” And I said, “Gets it!” And he ran and got the ball and came running back. Oh, he gives me so much joy. Walter died two years later. And I have many happy, if not hilarious memories of our friendship, but the day I found Henry is probably the best of all. He’s stretched out on my bed right this minute. Still follows me from room to room and feels duty-bound to lay down between my head and the head-board until I fall asleep at night, and put his paws up on my lap in the bathroom each morning to give me a good-morning hug. He’s the only male creature I ever brought home who’s remained entirely devoted to me. I realize he was neutered when we met, but even though my mother gives him bacon grease on his food, he’s always ready to get in the car with me. I don’t know what I’ll do without him. But I know, when I tell him I will love him his whole life long, I’m telling him the absolute truth.

Mutts rule!! I have two, one is a German Shepherd/Sharpei mix, the other is a beagle/bassett/dachshund mix. We’ve always had mutts and love them to bits!

A dear friend of mine joined a local Friendship Foundation. They take pets to various hospitals, nursing and assisted living homes for the residents to meet, to pet and, if able, play with for a short time. It is amazing the reaction that occurs when a big old collie or a preening little poodle will step into a hospital room. The faded eyes of an elderly man who has not been able to own a dog for twenty years or more are suddenly keen and you can almost see his memories coming back as he strokes the back of a golden retriever or a mutt. Beautiful to witness…..just keep the tears at bay because this is a joyful moment. Thanks to all those wonderful people who take time to participate in this organization. Our pets love us unconditionally and we love them the same. Thank you Sheila - that was a wonderful tribute to Foxy and Cornwallis. I am sure they deserve it even though they are Democrats.

This post reminds me of one of my favorite movies from my childhood: Lady and the Tramp. Their shared spaghetti date is indelibly imprinted on my mind as a key romantic moment in American cinema. Lady, a purebred, falls for the Tramp, a mutt from the wrong side of the tracks but with a good heart. The Tramp proves himself to be nobler than the “purebred” Siamese cats with his protective and inclusive behavior, setting an example for fellow mutts and purebreds alike. And of course, Lady and the Tramp live happily ever after together. Sheila’s very entertaining post reminds us that pure breeding is not necessarily indicative of good upbringing, and that it takes all kinds of experience and background to bring all of the necessary intelligence to the table.

A dog by any other name, is still a dog. What difference does it make? They all love and they are all loyal, I don’t care what package they come in, pure bred or mixed breed. I am an equal opportunity pet owner and pet lover, and I still miss my Sky Dog.

Speaking as a veterinarian, I can say that Foxy and Corny are absolutely correct. Mutts are generally healthier than purebreds. Both my own dogs are mutts and they are delightful. My 12 year old still runs around and acts like a puppy. Adopt a mutt!