Tales from The Dog House

     Here is a story about a dog (Perro), I called Brownie. I came across Brownie in the coarse of my volunteer work at the local Animal Clinic. He was a small brown and black mix breed with long hair. Hard to tell what, maybe Shepard/Chow mix . He was brought into the clinic for boarding because his owner had fallen ill. We were to board him for an unknown time(hopeful for the owners recovery).Brownie was not very happy of the new arrangements and was quite the "Bad Dog"! So for 3-days I fed him by poking dog food under the gate of his kennel. He would lunge,growl, snap and bite at me if I did anything else...? I soon realized that Brownie did  not speak English...Normally I have pretty good communcation skills with animals, but I wasn't getting much response from Brownie. You don't speak Spanish...your not my friend!Grrrufff... So for the next few days I spoke my little bit (poquito) of Redneck Spanish to him...now I'm getting this puzzled response??? but at least I had his attention...
     After about a week I finally manage to get a leash on Senor Brownie and I discovered his bark was worse than his bite. Once on the leash I walked with him quite sometime and he seemed truly grateful for the outside. Sun, fresh air and "Oh yes!", the green grass to roll in. Our progress for the next week was amazing to say the least, He knew if he let me put his leash on he would get to go outside for awhile, so we began a slow bond, and our communication skills improved with every day that passed.
     After about 3- weeks, I came in to do my volunteer work one day and Brownie was gone... To my surprise, they had released him to Animal Control for euthanasia, because his owner had to be placed in a nursing home and He was too"Bad", for a normal Adoption. I Plead Brownie's case and agreed to adopt him, because I knew "His Bark was Worse than his Bite". This could be the end of the Story....But it's not...
     I took Brownie home with me, knowing how he was I had to warn my nephews of his attitudes and to "Beware!" , which is something I feel is important with all situations involving kids and animals...BEWARE and Teach them Both Well, hopefully to keep them both safe from each other!
     One day not long after, my nephew (then around age 5) came over to my house to visit, as I watched him through the window, crossing the yard and then to the fence I saw Brownie spot him...off he went chasing my nephew, Who is now screaming my name, jumping yelling and waving his hands in the air at Brownie... I kept yelling...No....No don't.....and Brownie bit him...too late... As I reached them to check my nephew's injury's I soon realized, both were OK... sigh Relieved. I saw that Brownie had not bitten into him only grabbed his hand, as he waved it around while he was screaming, and only skinned it a little bit (poquito). I told my nephew that it has always been my experience, "That you cannot out-run a dog!', So ....Stop..don't act frightened...don't wave your hands in the air or put them out to the dog...because they will bite them! So he agreed that he understood, what I was trying to teach him and off he went to show Mommy his war wounds.She comforted him as well, knowing that all in all, It's a good "Lesson Learned". She knew that I love my Nephew's as well, as my Animal's and that I would only try to teach them, what was in their best interest for their Life ahead.
"Boy was I wrong...!!" not about the advice but about Brownie...
     One day not long after this event, I looked up to see my nephew coming again, so I quietly watched as he made his approach....he came through the fence....Brownie spotted him....He stopped...called Brownie calmly...Brownie kept coming at him....he stood firm....no screaming....he started up with his hands, then remembered better and shoved them in his pockets... Brownie kept coming.... my nephew then turned his back to him, still calm and refusing to run...and  Brownie bit him in the butt!..The End Right!!!
      Naw... I have to tell you I added addtional advice for my nephew..., start carrying cookies in his pockets when he came to visit me and Brownie...soon he had Brownie eating from his hands too...Again Brownie's bite wasn't as bad as his bark...Only his English.

Confucius says:  Learn to  (Co-"Habitat'e) with your Environment". OK... so this isn't a real word, but it should be! Animals should not be killed simply because they will bite children ...Anymore than children should be killed because they bite children too! That comes under "Parenting  and Behavior Skills".  Watch...Teach...and Learn...!

Confused  says: "Always carry Cookies!"