And The Woman Said, "Take Tasha"
Posted: Thursday, March 12, 2009
by Nancy Daniels
Voice Dynamic
The day was New Year's Eve; the year was 1994; and, my boys and I were in search of a new dog, having recently put down our Lhasa Apso. Walking the corridors amidst the cages of barking dogs at the local Humane Society, we were checking out the numerous varieties of canines, not sure what we were looking for. It seemed like all were large and aggressive. While there were typewritten notes attached to each cage, describing the dog and its age, we soon learned that more important than the typed words were the hand-written messages added by the staff to those cards. One advised that if you liked your hands, do not take Dirk, and another stated that Zeus did not like children and still another promised that Bowzer would be a great watchdog for your gas station! All of the dogs seemed to have a ‘special' problem. Having only had smaller dogs throughout my life, I was stymied by what I saw. I asked one of the staff for a suggestion, stating that I needed a dog that would be good with children as well as with my clients, the latter of whom came into my home almost daily. She promptly responded, "Take Tasha."
Within just a few hours of our return, however, I was beginning to realize that we had not made a mistake, that in fact this may have been one of the smartest and best decisions I had ever made. She obeyed every order, was quick to adjust to our house and yard, and made herself right at home. I quickly learned the joy of having a well-trained dog. If I said, "Jump," she said, "How high?" Had I said, "Kill," she would have most willingly obliged.
When I first took her to the vet, he assured me that she was not 6-years-old because her teeth were too clean. On yet another visit to another vet, again I was told that she was not 6, that her teeth were too clean. At this point, I was overjoyed, thinking I had a younger dog and many more years with her. I just assumed that someone had typed the wrong age on her 3X5 card.
As a ‘single,' married woman, I felt safe with Tasha because she was an excellent watchdog and guard dog. When I was away from the house, she was fiercely protective of our home and our property. On the other hand, if I said, "No," she stopped whatever she was doing. I remember once telling her "No," when she saw a bunny in my garden and gave chase. Tasha stopped dead in her tracks.
As much as possible, she went everywhere with me. When I picked my raspberries in the back, she was right at my side. When we walked the acres of the overgrown gravel pit behind our house, she was the adventurer, always within view but curious none the less. And she ran like the wind with a 6-foot span that was awesome to behold.
During her 3rd encounter with a skunk, she got sprayed directly in the face. Her past experiences had been from a further distance. After this particular ‘up close and personal' event, however, she never again gave chase to a skunk.
The first time I took her to a soccer practice, I left her in the car with the windows down. There I was, coaching my son's soccer team; and, the next thing I knew, she was standing by my side. From that moment on, Tasha became our mascot, attending all practices and all games. She needed no leash, as she would stand on the sidelines, watching the game.
She listened and she was a part of everything we did. In the last few years of her life, when I would discuss diaphragmatic breathing with my clients, she would come into my studio, lie on her side, breathe, and then get up and leave the room. Because I had called upon her in the past to demonstrate proper breathing, she seemed to understand.
Everyone that met Tasha loved her. On those few occasions when my sons and I would drive to the States to visit with family, my vet and his wife would take her. During his work hours, the doctor gave her free rein of his office and Tash would greet his ‘patients' in the waiting room much like a receptionist. She was welcome everywhere she went.
When her legs began to splay on our hardwood floors, I took her to a vet, who had not seen Tasha before; and, in feeling her hips, legs and hind end, this woman assured me that she was not the young dog we had so fervently believed her to be. She stated that Tasha was at least 12-years-old – with surprisingly clean teeth! I was also assured that the problem was not going to get better and that she was in pain. She was urinating 25 - 30 times a day – never once making a mistake in the house – and I sadly knew that it was time.
I have put down several dogs, but this was different. I love all the dogs I have had for their own wonderful personalities, traits, quirks, whatever; but, Tasha was different. This dog was special. And since my experience with Tasha, I have discovered that if you have a truly great dog once in your lifetime, you have been blessed. I can't imagine it happening twice.
She also knew that she was a dog and that I was the Alpha. (My little Cocker/Shih Tzu still hasn't figured that one out!) No more trusting, faithful, obedient and loving companion have I ever witnessed than my Tash – a beautiful dog, a beautiful lady, a beautiful friend.
A wonderful, heartwarming and emotional story about your pet. Yes , even though it is about an animal but through out the story I felt as if you were talking about a person. Even animals can be so loyal, friendly and comfortable beings to live with. I congrtulate you once again for this wonderful expereince that you had with Tasha.Thank you for that wonderful, lucid write-up. I enjoyed reading it and almost cried.SwapnaSwapna,I find dogs always loyal. People, not always so.Thank you for reading this and for your comment, Swapna.Nancy
Nancy,Tasha is beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing this with us.Ronyae,Yes, she was beautiful and you are welcome.Nancy
Heart felt and rewarding article for animal lovers of all kinds.Thank you, Robert. For Tash, it could only be heartfelt and yes, it is for animal lovers all.Nancy
I was very touchy story Nancy. It reflects your love for the animals which is important in life's too. God bless you for loving & taking care of His creation.Chiradeep,I pray that they are in Heaven...my late mother, a devout Christian, did not believe that our dog's 'souls' would go to Heaven. I do hope she was wrong.Nancy
Wonderful story, Nancy. Dogs are such lovable creatures. I have found mixed breeds to be some of the most lovable of all. Thanks for a great article.SandraSandra,I agree with you about mixed breeds. Interesting to see who loves dogs. Says something to me about them.Thanks for commenting,Nancy
This story is just one of those necessary spirit lifters. With all the bad news (i.e. the state of the world's economies), here is something to make you smile. Thank-you, Nancy Daniels.Judy,Thank you for reading this. I'm glad it made you smile.Nancy
Thought the content repetitive and very wordy. What happened to the period - seem to be very few of them.Marion,I'm sorry you did not enjoy this. Oh well, can't please all the folks all the time.Nancy
Is it your dog in that picture you posted? Very nice...touchy article...Asmita,Yes, that is Tash in the picture.Thank you for your comment,Nancy
I think that it was a very very great article!! Great job and keep working =]Dear Anonymous,Thank you for your support. Much appreciated.Nancy
I can hear the love in your written words. Thanks for sharing your story.Lorrie,What a lovely way to say that.Thank you for sharing those words,Nancy
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