Thursday, January 8, 2009

The Continuing Story of Snuggles

My daughter's family has had a dog, Buddy, a male rat terrier, for several years. Buddy is a pretty nice dog. He gets along great with the cats, my daughter and son-in-law, the teen-aged children and almost everyone else (Buddy loves me; I call him my grand-dog.) He's a good watch dog and alerts the family to the impending arrival of friend and stranger. In the eyes of his people-family, Buddy has only one major failing; he turns a bared-teeth growl toward the one person in the family who wants to cuddle him most, my 4 year old granddaughter, Juliana. He has never bitten her (that would send him to doggy heaven right quickly, I fear), but is so unfriendly toward her that she has finally learned to leave him alone.


Starting at about age three, Juliana has repeatedly asked for her own puppy, a dog she could love and which would love her, too. The response from her parents has always been that as long as Buddy is alive, there won't be another dog in the household. About two months ago, she figured out exactly what they were saying and changed her approach. Her puppy-requests are now prefaced by "When is Buddy going to die? I want a puppy."

Once over the initial shock of this question, our response has been that we don't know, Buddy will probably live a long time. She turns away in disgust, muttering "I want a puppy."

So-- where does Snuggles come in? I'm getting there! [for photo of Snuggles, see yesterday's post]

My daughter loves to be outside in her yard. She's always got some project going. Since the older children are in school, Juliana goes along to "help." The back part of the lot shares a fence with two houses on the next street. In one of the fenced yards, there lived a sweet little Sheltie. The dog and Juliana fell in love with each other. My daughter would see Juliana pressed up against the fence, talking sweetly to the dog with her fingers stuck through the chain link and the little dog licking on them with great joy.

Now, it so happened that this past Friday the owners of the dog were in their back yard and struck up a conversation with my daughter. They were moving, and were not taking the dog with them; little Sheltie was slated to go the the animal shelter! No! No! NO! Tender-hearted daughter could not see that happen. Juliana was going to be heart broken if "her puppy" disappeared. You already know what happened, don't you?

As of this past Saturday, the Sheltie now resides at my daughter's home. Juliana is overjoyed, to say the least, and told her mother that the dog's name was Snuggles, because she could snuggle it!

Buddy has accepted having another dog in the house pretty well -- he just ignores and avoids her. The cats are cool, except Arthur (see Camera Critters post from last Saturday) who tends to stalk Snuggles then hiss when they get about 2 feet apart. It's early days yet; I expect a truce in the near future.

Unfortunately, Snuggles' future is a bit uncertain (I've saved the bad news for last). When daughter took Snuggles to the veterinarian on Monday, it was discovered that Snuggles has heart worms (the result of being left outside in mosquito country and without preventive medicine.) Treatment is available, but is not always successful in this breed (read: can cause death.) Daughter and her husband will decide what to do when they return from a family funeral.

I'm hoping for the best. Snuggles is a sweet little dog, and Juliana will be inconsolable if she loses her.

17 comments:

abb said...

Lovely story, and I do hope your granddaughter and Snuggles gets their happy ending.

And my Snuggles' first family NEVER have another pet!

Do let us know what happens...I think...

Sandi McBride said...

Oh Pat, I hope that all goes well for Snuggles and Julianna...I also pray that they provide the treatment and that Snuggles responds well to it! My Sheltie, Duffy (that's him in my header with my granddaughter, Arianna) lived to be twelve years old...we loved every minute of our lives with him in it!
Sandi

Rose said...

Oh, I hope for the best. Our part collie got heartworms...read between the lines that I could not remember to give her her heartworm preventive. I had it, just couldn't remember to always give it to her.

She survived the treatment, but it was sure hard on her. For the first year or two after, by then had my first cell phone, I had it on there to give me a ring to remind me to give her her meds, then the past two or three years, I have used the calendar on my email and I get emails telling me it is time for them.

Anonymous said...

Fingers crossed for Snuggles, and for Julianna. Just caught up with the pictures. I had to leave a beloved dog once. I might write about her, but it is a three tissue story...still, what else would you expect from me.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Cute story, Pat, until the last paragraph or so... I'm sorry to hear about the heart worms. Juliana will be so upset if Snuggles dies. How sad!!!! Let's just pray that the meds will help and that Snuggles will live a long life with the family.

Have fun house-sitting and pet-sitting.

We were supposed to get 1-2 inches of snow last night. HA--guess what??? Nothing except a few flurries this morning. Am I surprised?
Hugs,
Betsy

Countrygirl said...

One thing I know for sure is: God is bigger than heartworms. And if He so chooses - He can heal Snuggles. I will be praying for that!

Raymonty said...

Just an 'Old Dog' saying hello.

Hilary said...

I suspect that Snuggles and Juliana will have a long, happy relationship. They found each other for a reason. And Buddy didn't have to die in the process. ;)

I'll think best thoughts for this delicious duo, and hope upon hope that Snuggles is the last pet the ex-neighbours consider having.

Patty said...

Why or why didn't her owners get the dog heart worm medicine, it's so easy to get and give. We even gave it to our dogs that were indoors most of the time. Didn't want to take a chance of them getting bit while outside. Well since your daughter and son-in-law sees that the animals can get along, perhaps they can still get her a small dog for her own. Here's hoping for the best for them all.

Have a great week-end.

Sandi McBride said...

Just stopped by to check on Snuggles!
hugs
Sandi

Jeannelle said...

Oh, Snuggles sounds like a nice opportunity for them. I hope the heart worm treatment can be done in a safe, yet effective way. I don't know much about that problem.

That's so cute, your granddaughter wondering when their dog will die so she can get a new one. Oh, the refreshing honesty and openness of kids!

Marvin said...

Thanks for the story, Pat. I'll be hoping for a happy ending for Snuggles and Juliana.

Melinda said...

this is such a sweet story!

Kappa no He said...

Me, too. I'm praying for Snuggles. One big happy family! And I love the 'granddog' line. That cracked me up.

Dr.John said...

I'm praying for a happy ending.It just seems they were meant to be together.

Sandi McBride said...

Still wondering about the outcome with Snuggles!
Sandi

rhymeswithplague said...

SENDING UP A FLARE! PREPARING THE SEARCH PARTY NOW! IS ALL WELL WITH YOU? HAVEN'T HEARD A WORD IN ALMOST A WEEK. ARE YOU STILL TAKING CARE OF SNUGGLES AND BUDDY? HAS IT ALL BEEN JUST TOO MUCH FOR YOU? ARE YOU OUT IN THE BACK YARD IN THE COLD IN YOUR PAJAMAS WITHOUT A FLASHLIGHT?

Just wondering....