My Mom’s Best Friend!

Isn’t she the cutest thing you have ever seen

My Mom has always been an animal lover. My Dad was, um, not! We had pets occassionally when we were growing up. My Dad, in a moment of weakness, would agree to grant us the privilege and responsibility involved with loving an animal. He usually immediately regretted his rash decision. When he was allowed to name a pet, my Dad would choose , “Sooner,” because he would “sooner” get rid of it. My Mom’s names were much more noble: King George, Lady Beta Belle and Lord Alpha D’Orleans.

Well, after my Dad died in September, my Mom decided that she needed something else in the house that was breathing. The beautiful home my parents purchased in January of this year has been re-christened, “the stupid, big house.” She felt alone. She needed a companion to walk with her in her spiritual valley. She went to the dog kennel and got a little Faith. She had originally thought she might one day go back and get a little Joy too, but she didn’t want to train two puppies at once. Sadly, Faith has made herself an only puppy.

What did this innocent thing do to erase any hope of having a companion? Nothing really. When my mom selected her she was told she was a Pointer. A quick check of the AKC and my mom learned that female Pointers generally grow to about 23 – 26 inches and weigh in at about 44 – 65 pounds. Faith had two litter mates. She was by far the smallest. Good! The runt of the litter. She will probably be on the smaller side for a Pointer. My mom thought that sounded perfect. She didn’t want a lap dog: she wanted a dog that would walk with her and keep her active.

Faith was at the vets recently. Apparently, Faith is not a full-breed Pointer. The vet thinks that she is mixed with bloodhound. Based on her current height, weight and age, the vet told my mom to expect a dog that at maturity is at least 75 pounds! My mom has already signed Faith up for puppy obedience class. She is so afraid that Faith will pull her while on her leash and she will fall and break something. My mom figures she better get her trained while she is still a manageable size. Poor Faith.

Finally, Faith has failed to hold up her end of the whole walking thing. Oh, she loves to walk, but when she gets tired, she just refuses to go any further. She lays down in someones yard and rolls over. My mom has had to carry her home on numerous occassions. I wonder how she will do when Faith is fully grown?