Friday, February 27, 2009

Sparky- the wonder dog

Our dog Sparky was a three-legged Dalmation. We had him for thirteen years. His is a long and interesting story, a gruesome one as well.
You can't tell from the picture, but he was a liver-spotted, (brown) Dal.  He had one blue eye and one greenish brown. He was very friendly, loyal, loved kids and adults, and very smart.
All good things.
Unfortunately, he definitely needed more training than we were able to give and because of this was endlessly getting into trouble.
Think-ADD dog style!
He respected my husband and I and we were certainly the head of the pack, but he thought he was next in line and would not listen or obey ANYONE else. If we were in the kitchen he would never take something from the counter or get into the garbage, but- if we weren't?
All bets were off. He would take sandwich's right out of the kid's hands!
Sparky was a puppy for about eight years. Seriously. He would cry when we would go to bed and leave him. We couldn't allow him into our bedrooms because he would chew or get into something-this went on for years!

Tomorrow I will tell you the story of how he ended up with three legs-do not eat while you are reading.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

OK OK...you can spare us the gruesom comments... he was a good dog, I remember him well... I miss seeing an animal at your house - I have vivid memories of having to get into your house w/o letting the cat in!!!

OHN said...

I love you for loving a 3 legged, 8 year old puppy. I am glad you were able to love him an additional 5 as a dog:)

You must have a good heart and I think we would be friends :)

Formerly known as Frau said...

I use to think it was so crazy when Sparky would lay on the laundry piles and not Budge. Sopie makes little nest with our clothes or when I'm in the shower she will build a nest and lay in the middle while I'm showering and not budge,alays makes me think of Sparky.

Ina in Alaska said...

OK I beb you to please go easy on us tomorrow Preppy!! But I am glad that Sparky had a great home and understanding for his lifetime. I think I mentioned in a comment in Kim's blog (Chit Chat Room) A house without a dog is just a shelter..... Have a great weekend!! xoxo

Ina in Alaska said...

Redo of the first sentence in my comment above:

I beg you to please go easy on us tomorrow Preppy!

Caffeine Court said...

He's adorable, even with 3 legs. My sister adopted a dog from New Orleans with one eye!

I can't wait to hear your story.

As you know I have 3 dogs and they keep me running ALL THE TIME!

Anonymous said...

Okay, this is gonna' be a good one, we can just tell! An Sparky is adorable Miss Preppy, what a sweet look he has, even if was a devil dawg at times. (Heh-heh.)

Have a splendid weekend!
tp

Tami said...

He is such a beautiful dog. It's hard to picture him in trouble!

Joyce said...

Oh... prep I'm so glad you saw the diamond in the raw in Sparky. I knew you had a big ole heart and you confirmed it. Thanks for the heads up tomorrow. I'm glad he found his way to your home.
Ina I love your quote! It is so true. As most of us who have/had rescues know that some come from some terrible places and with some baggage (but who doesn't), we can't change their tomorrows, but we can give them a brighter tomorrow.
xoxo

kks said...

what a beautiful dog! can't wait to hear his story....i work in critical care with animals and see amputations all the time, mostly because of cancer, but some from trauma....

Somer Love said...

I can't wait!!