Colleen Sell - Dog Stories Youll Love: True tales of puppy love and devotion

Avon, Massachusetts

In times of happiness, sadness, and every moment in between, there is nothing more constant than the love of your dog.

In Dog Stories Youll Love , youll meet devoted dogs with the uncanny ability to bring a smile to their owners face no matter what life is throwing their way.

By Linda Douglas

You know, if we dont take her, shell have to go back to the shelter. And who knows what will happen to her. Its a mothers prerogative to use guilt at will, and I was laying it on as thick as country gravy over biscuits. I felt sad and helpless as I waited for a response from my family. I knew we would take my mothers dog even though we didnt want to; it was an obligation I had to impose.

It wasnt that Sallie wasnt a nice dog; she just wasnt the type of dog we would have chosen. After my dad died, my mom had put all her love into Reggie, the dog my parents had together. Hes the only reason I have to get up every morning, she always said. When Reggie died, Mom was devastated. I knew she wouldnt last long without a dog, but I hoped shed wait until I could get into town to help her find another companion. I imagined a small, cuddly dog Mom could snuggle with in her favorite chair. Then when the house got too big for her, she could take her laptop companion with her to a retirement home, where they could grow old together.

No such luck. Three days after Reggie died, Mom left me a phone message. Hi, sweetie. I stopped by the animal shelter today just to look, and guess what? I got a new dog. Her name is Sallie, and shes a one-year-old border collie and greyhound mix. Shed been abused and looked so sad, I just had to take her home.

Shes so cute, Mom gushed. She has these big ears, and every time I talk to her, she cocks her head to the side and listens so sweetly, just like your dad used to just kidding! Best of all, shes so quiet, Im not sure she knows how to bark. Cant wait for you to meet her! Love you.

I hung up the phone in disbelief. What in the world was the shelter thinking, matching a seventy-three-year-old woman with a large, energetic dog? I knew I had to talk some sense into her the following weekend. She needed a small dog, one she could easily handle by herself.

At first sight, Sallie is a funny-looking dog. Shes black-and-white like a border collie, with the long gangly legs and lean body of a greyhound. She has a slender face, with one brown eye and one ice-blue eye, but its her ears everyone notices. They are two sizes too big for her body and stand straight up, giving her a perpetual deer-in-the-headlights look.

When I met Sallie for the first time, she came bounding over to me and landed her front paws on my chest, knocking me against the refrigerator. She wouldnt come when called and didnt walk well on a leash. She slobbered all over the floor after drinking water, making walking treacherous in the kitchen. I saw disaster with a capital D. I envisioned Sallie accidentally knocking Mom down the stairs, breaking her arm or her hip or even her head.

Mom, I gingerly broached the subject, wouldnt a smaller dog be better for you? One you could hold in your lap? I could take Sallie back for you and see if theres a cute little poodle-type dog that needs a home.

Moms green eyes steeled a little to let me know I had stepped over the line. No, dear, I can still make my own decisions, she replied in her no-nonsense, because-Im-your-mother, thats-why tone. I dont want a yappy, little frou-frou dog. I picked Sallie because she needed me. Her days were numbered at the shelter, if you know what I mean, and if I hadnt gone when I did, she probably wouldnt be around today. Shes a sweet dog, and weve already bonded. Dont worry, dear, well be fine. I promise.

And they were fine. Sallie adapted easily to Moms sedentary lifestyle, and they became inseparable. Sallie was too strong for Mom to walk, but she felt comfortable taking her for daily car rides. When friends visited, Sallie became her guardian, sitting quietly next to her as if listening intently to the conversation. And they were both ready for bed by nine oclock. It was as if Sallie had turned into an old lady herself. Even children were too loud and rambunctious for her, as my daughter found out when running down the hall once and getting tackled by Sallie. I still thought they were mismatched, but Mom was happy, and that was what mattered.

As hard as my family tried, though, we could not warm up to Sallie. My daughter said she wasnt fun; my husband hated her excessive shedding; and I simply didnt like her looks. She just wasnt a dog for us, and I worried that one day Mom would need us to take her.

Sure enough, four years later, Mom decided to move to a retirement home and wanted us to adopt Sallie. I tried to refuse as gently as possible.

Mom, we really dont want another dog. Besides, she doesnt like kids and lots of people around. She wouldnt be happy living with us.

I saw the hurt in Moms eyes as she said it was okay, the shelter could probably find her a new home. She played the guilt card brilliantly, and I knew I couldnt break her heart. Sallie would be coming home with us.

Thank you, she said, tears glistening in her eyes. And dont worry, dear, youll be fine. I promise.

I waited for my familys reaction to the news as the morning sun peeked through the slatted blinds in the kitchen, as if trying to start our day with a smile. Tom, my husband, was pragmatic about it, but my daughter, Cassie, resisted as only an eleven-year-old can. We already have a dog, Rosie, remember? And you guys said we can only have two pets in this house, and Ive wanted a cat, like, forever, and you promised me one for my birthday. Besides, Sallie doesnt even like me!

Cassie, honey, it would be cruel to send her back to the shelter. She had a nice home with Grammy. Sallie will adjust to us quickly, because she knows us. And I promise to take her to obedience school, so shell be even better behaved than you. My attempt at humor was met with a cold stare and a lower lip jutting out like a facial speed bump.

We need to do this, sweetie, I pressed on, for Grammy.

Cassie crossed her arms in resignation, her brown eyes sad, yet defiant. Well, okay. But Im changing Sallies name to Kitty!

We took Kitty (a.k.a. Sallie) home with us after Christmas that year, and to our surprise, she did adapt well, even to her new name. With Kittys border collie intelligence, obedience school was a breeze. We were amazed at how fast she learned her commands. Taking Kitty to the park is now fun. Shes learned to play, outrunning the other dogs in the dog park with her greyhound speed to catch Frisbees in mid-air. And she seems to thrive on all the extra activity a household of three has compared to Moms quieter lifestyle.

Best of all, Cassie and Kitty have become good friends. Cassies a teenager now, and when she gets home from school, Kitty smothers her with sloppy dog kisses. If Cassie is upset over boyfriends or school, she turns not to me but to Kitty. They sit together on the floor in our walk-in bedroom closet (Kittys cave) amongst all the clothes and shoes, like two best girlfriends, with Cassie telling Kitty all her deepest secrets, knowing Kitty will keep every one. Its a beautiful friendship Cassie will always treasure.