Geni, the wonder dog
After losing our lab named Kohl, we decided we couldn't live without another lab. Kohl was a gift, but I am a firm believer in getting great pets from the shelters or pound. So we went "shopping" for another lab.
When we arrived at the local shelter, there was an abundance of puppies. I had gone back to school after a 20 year hiatus and was in the middle of a separation from my husband plus the two great kids I was taking care of. My time was very limited and I didn't feel I could spend enough time with a little puppy. We focused on an older dog. Geni was a perfect match for us. She was nine months old, a yellow lab and very docile. She immediately took top honors in her obedience class and anytime we were at home, she was right with us.
Our divorce occurred shortly after we got Geni and I moved our household out of town to a more rural setting. My eldest daughter loves horses and we needed that diversion in our life. My youngest was still trying to decide what she enjoyed. We were able to have plenty of pets. Geni was released from her imprisonment in the back yard and learned to enjoy the pleasures of rabbit hunting and squirrel chasing.
As Geni aged, she developed a severe case of hip displasia and in the months shortly after we moved, she was showing signs of being in serious trouble. We had beautiful wood floors in the new house and everytime she tried to stand or walk on them, she collapsed in the splits, yelping in pain. I was not financially able to have surgery done on her and she was not recommended as a candidate at that time.
This new house has a great enclosed sunroom, full of windows and opens to our deck. We ended up carpeting the sunroom to give her traction and she spends her time there now. She has learned that this is her room and if she needs or wants something, she yelps to let us know. She has become very adept at communicating. Because of her limitations, she does not chase anything anymore, but has continued to be able to walk and can usually climb steps to get up on our deck at will. She still does come and go at will.
She has become our interspecies communications system. She seems to know when any other varmint is outside and lets us know that a possum or raccoon is pilfering the cat or dog feeder. We have had a number of kitten litters and she loves having them in with her. If she thinks another cat or dog wants in, she sounds the alarm. If it is too hot or cold in the house. She lets us know. And certainly no mealtime gets by her. We love it that she has learned to tell us so much.
When we arrived at the local shelter, there was an abundance of puppies. I had gone back to school after a 20 year hiatus and was in the middle of a separation from my husband plus the two great kids I was taking care of. My time was very limited and I didn't feel I could spend enough time with a little puppy. We focused on an older dog. Geni was a perfect match for us. She was nine months old, a yellow lab and very docile. She immediately took top honors in her obedience class and anytime we were at home, she was right with us.
Our divorce occurred shortly after we got Geni and I moved our household out of town to a more rural setting. My eldest daughter loves horses and we needed that diversion in our life. My youngest was still trying to decide what she enjoyed. We were able to have plenty of pets. Geni was released from her imprisonment in the back yard and learned to enjoy the pleasures of rabbit hunting and squirrel chasing.
As Geni aged, she developed a severe case of hip displasia and in the months shortly after we moved, she was showing signs of being in serious trouble. We had beautiful wood floors in the new house and everytime she tried to stand or walk on them, she collapsed in the splits, yelping in pain. I was not financially able to have surgery done on her and she was not recommended as a candidate at that time.
This new house has a great enclosed sunroom, full of windows and opens to our deck. We ended up carpeting the sunroom to give her traction and she spends her time there now. She has learned that this is her room and if she needs or wants something, she yelps to let us know. She has become very adept at communicating. Because of her limitations, she does not chase anything anymore, but has continued to be able to walk and can usually climb steps to get up on our deck at will. She still does come and go at will.
She has become our interspecies communications system. She seems to know when any other varmint is outside and lets us know that a possum or raccoon is pilfering the cat or dog feeder. We have had a number of kitten litters and she loves having them in with her. If she thinks another cat or dog wants in, she sounds the alarm. If it is too hot or cold in the house. She lets us know. And certainly no mealtime gets by her. We love it that she has learned to tell us so much.
posted by dgolden at
8:58 AM
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