Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Talk
  3. For The Love Of A Dog

For The Love Of A Dog

Basenji Talk
  • DukeD

    :) While reading this story, I thought the dog could easily be a Basenji. It is worth sharing.

    GREAT DOG STORY

    Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one!

    Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

    Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

    It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease… in fact, she was just sure it was fatal.

    She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her... what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

    The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

    Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

    When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

    Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

    Remember... live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget... the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

    If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

    :)

    Jill

    0
  • nala121498N

    How sweet. Thanks for sharing it!

    0
  • J

    Very touching.

    0
  • hdterryH

    Great story…how true those words are...thanks for sharing...

    0
  • jys1011J

    All teary about this..THANKS for sharing :)

    Basenji Mom of C3PO & TOPAZ

    0

Suggested Topics

  • KipawaK

    Bullying dogs - dog psychology questions

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    KipawaK
    Well, the lab I mentioned (chocolate overweight one) almost took me out by slamming into my knee. I commented loudly " he better not insure my knee!" No comment from the owner. Others were keeping an eye on this over exhuberant dog too. Many peeps were standing behind a bench for protection. What really bugs me is that the park has very visible signs when you enter it that say you must have control of your dog.
  • B

    Travelling with a dog?

    Basenji Talk
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    8k Views
    D
    If you ship him underneath in cargo, don't forget there are temperature restrictions. Where would you transfer planes at? This summer has been hot in many cities! Please check the requirements for the airline you will be traveling on. There is usually a limit to the number of dogs allowed on board and in cargo. You will need to make a reservation for him at the time you make your own. There may be additional requirements since you are coming from Canada, you will need to check with the USDA, the CDC and the State of Massachusetts. You can find the requirements on the USDA website and it has links to each state. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/pet_travel.shtml You need to make sure the carrier will fit under the seat so if the carrier you are considering is much larger than the large size Sherpa brand bag I doubt it will fit under the seat. I used to travel with Arnie onboard about 10 years ago before 9/11. I trained him to get in and out of the Sherpa bag and to stay in for short periods of time. He almost always laid down in it. He never made noise even when we were in first class and they served food! Most people did not even know I had a dog. I also made sure I was comfortable carrying him in the bag. I figured if the airline employees thought I was struggling with him then he was too heavy and he would not be let on the plane. He was an older pup but weighed about 18-20 lbs. Jennifer
  • abby_basenjiA

    Does your dog do this?

    Basenji Talk
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    Rita JeanR
    Jaycee digs same way but she does somersaults head down over she gos first time neighbor saw it they could not beleive it. I think neighbor came over every day for a week waiting to see it again and Jaycee would do it. Yes I very much second that digging usually will cause the great B-500. Rita Jean
  • P

    Not the the size of the dog, its the size of the fight in the dog

    Basenji Talk
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    11k Views
    BarklessdogB
    Owning a basenji requires a good sense of humor and a large dose of patience and a willingness to do some creative thinking to convince the basenjis what you want is really the same thing as what they want. So true, never a dull moment with these dogs
  • luzmery928L

    I love it when….

    Basenji Talk
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    luzmery928L
    yes, exactly!
  • dashD

    Bad dog!

    Basenji Talk
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    spitfirekrl1S
    That is a great idea, but it should be an adolescent for sure (seems to be the most trying stage). My mom also really liked our dog (the look, the no bark, typical things most people like) and she quickly changed her ideas. We were telling her about the time we had to babysit another dog and the things she did to let us know that she did not like another dog in our house (she did some very naughty things)! My mom said 'wow she is really a manipulating dog'. I said, yeah they are definately not a breed for everyone.