Taffy is the elder statesman of our furry fellas. He's now coming up to 11. Taffy is a black Labrador x Kelpie. He has the lab's ability to eat anything and the manic nature of the kelpies. Do people outside of Australia know kelpies? They're a sheep dog and they're workaholics so when you put them in suburbia they can be a nice kind of nutty. I don't know if it's just our Taff but he has an obsession with flying things. He will sit in front of the aviary for hours just telling the birds off for flying. Then there's the planes.......
he can spot a plane when it's a pinprick in the sky and will run up and down the fenceline barking at it until it has been and gone, often we can't even see the plane but you can be assured that there is one. Sometimes he stands on the (two) back steps, just to get that all important 18 inches closer.
I could go on forever about his quirks, he has plenty of them.
When we decided to get a dog I went to the pound to look at a Golden Retriever they were advertising. The retriever had been re-homed and the attendant asked if I would like to see a black lab. "Sure", I said. She disappeared for a bit and came back with this young dog of about six months old. He hurtled towards me and jumped all over me and how could I refuse? He was friendly and good looking and he needed a home.
The deal was quickly done. When the money had been handed over and I was about to be lead away by this hyperactive bundle of slobber the attendant told me that this dog had been in the pound for three weeks longer than he should have been. They thought he was so lovely that he'd had many stays of execution, today though, was to be his last. I had agreed to take him just before he was due to be euthanased.
I still cry when I think of it.
It didn't take long for me to realise why someone had given up on this fella, he has caused me some concern with his antics at times, but they were the losers and he's been with us all that time, greeting everyone joyfully.
Next time (or sometime soon) : bunnies Anzac and Jet.
Hi Kylie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing us to Taffy.
From what you wrote he is displaying archytiple ... (just a moment i'll look up how to spell 'archytiple') - archetypal Kelpie behaviour. I bet that he rounds up anything that moves. Being a labrador X he'll have a great temperament. Many years ago we used to have Irish wolfhound x English sheepdog called Zoe.
Dear Kylie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing Taffy!
He was lucky to find you....everything happens for a good reason!
love to you and family
bindi
Kylie,
ReplyDeleteVery nice to meet Taffy. I am looking forward to meeting the bunnies.
Hope you have enjoyed your weekend.
Debbie
hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteTaff does, in fact, round up pretty much anything and he's a very good flycatcher (gross)He also has a beautiful temperament as you predict. Zoe would have been a very BIG dog? i've never met an irish wolfhound but i always rather like the look of them.
cheers
k
Bindi,
ReplyDeleteI haven't left a comment at your place but thanks for the stroke info, it's important to know. Hope you have a good weekend,
kylie
oh, and i like those new little hearts you're doing, how do you do that?
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteIs this your first visit here? or did I rudely forget? it's hard to keep track cos i see your comments all around the place. Anyway, nice to "see" you, and i'll introduce the bunnies soon
cheers
k
Kylie,
ReplyDeleteI was glad to hear that you were willing to explore adoption through the pound. Sometimes this can be a risky move, but obviously it was well worth it.
My wife is actively involved with an animal rescue organization in our area, so she is thankful to you as well.
We will look forward to the pictures.
Brian
good to see you here , Brian.
ReplyDeletei don't think i could not get a pound dog. It seems so silly to get a dog from a breeder when there are so many good dogs needing homes
cheers
k
Well... since you asked, yes Zoe was a BIG dog; but gentle as a lamb. She had an Irish wolfhound front and a bustle for a backside :) I miss her so much.
ReplyDeleteI hope that your weekend was fab.
Mark.
Well, well, well, guess who's dragged her a** in. Yup, me.
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me begin with Taffy's a keeper and so are you. I love people who go to the pound or to rescue groups to find a dog of kittie. It doesn't get better than that. The fact he managed three stays of execution is remarkable and speaks volumes for not only him, but his care givers. That's one lucky dog and you're one lucky family. I wish all dog and kitty stories ended on such a happy note.
I've discovered all dogs and cats have quirks. If they didn't life would be a big old bore. I often wonder what they think of us? They're probably saying the same thing to one another! My humans...! You get the picture. I'm just grateful you found Taffy and he found you.
My dear friends Renee and Charlie from L.A. (our former neighbors) had a bunny "Rugby." We all loved him very much. He'd go to school with Renee every day (she was a math teacher), and then one day he refused. Renee retired him! After about 4 years he's had enough. Is that funny or what? I rabbit-sitted for him one week while Charlie and Renee went on vacation and absolutely fell in love. I'd spend a few hours with him in the morning and then a few hours at night. I'd read to him and he'd run all over and around me. Unfortunately he was unneutered (Renee didn't have the heart to cause him pain!), so thought I was the greatest thing since shredded lettuce. The more I read the more he went wacky. It was hilarious. We only had Newman at the time and he and Newman were the best of friends, had grown up together and looked alike because they were both black and white. It was a magical time for us in LA. I'll never forget it or the love of a dear rabbit. That was one terrific rabbit.
Renee and Charlie bought a house, moved to the valley and built Rugby a beautiful device so that he could go inside and outside. He loved being outside and spent most of his time there in his retirement years, but would come inside often. One morning Renee went out only to discover Rugby had been killed by something. It was horrible and she's never really gotten over it. We all remind ourselves he died doing what he loved ~ exploring the garden and nature. He was one hell of a rabbit. Animals are so amazing.
Thank you for your post and for just being you. I love you to death. Oh...I posted. You'll laugh. I can hardly wait for your comment!
Hugs and kisses GALORE!
Suze
suze,
ReplyDeletebefore you tell me you hate the colours.....i'm workin on it!!
i changed the background then everything else looked wrong but i really want that background so i'll have another go when i have nothing to do (as if)
cheers
k
Darling Kylie,
ReplyDeleteWell I stopped by to give you some grief after your comment about my black bikini post, but I'm now sidetracked. Color. It's perfect. Don't touch it. Surprised? You shouldn't be. The colors are anologous...all in the purple family, so they work. See how simple that is honey!? They aren't garish or offensive, but pleasant. I like to say..."easy on the eye." You could play with them a bit more if you like, but I think they're wonderful just the way they are. As you know, I love purple because I use it when I write via email. Didjanotice?!!!
I found a new blog you're going to LOVE! She's right in Aussy Land too. I'm trying to figure out how to introduce you all to her. Perhaps the best way is to post the info on my blog. I'll figure it out.
Love you sweetie. Have a beautiful day. Or I guess night. I don't know...I get all confused. Taffy is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!! Lucky doggie, lucky you. Hope you're dreaming of a black bikini! I've decided to buy one and wear it only in the back yard. I'll scare the wild life, but I'll feel better having done so. I know they'll eventually be happy for me. :)
Loads of love,
Suze
Kylie,
ReplyDeleteI have been here before, sort of just in the background, ya know "lurking",have loved visiting so decided to "speak". I really enjoy your posts and Taffy is beautiful! Australia is a special place for me, one of my favorite Aunts was from Sydney. Lot's of beautiful memories of her.
Take care and have a beautiful day.
hugs,
Debbie
Kylie,
ReplyDeleteI have to say Taffy is BEAUTIFUL! He's gorgeous, just like the soul of the lady who saved him.
A wonderful story my love......
Just to let you know that I stil visit you and haven't forgotten you....
PJ xxx
Oh how beautiful. I love black labs, and chocolate labs, and german shepards, and pit bulls, and any dog you can think of. Oh and taffy has a beautiful soul. I can see it in her eyes. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi kylie,
ReplyDeletethis is mark's wife Jo. I saw your lovely dog you have. We have always had dogs at our home but we are not going to have anymore for a while. We just have the 2 cats.
hi EVERYBODY,
ReplyDeletei have been a bit net-crazy of late so I'm going to have to go into a bit of a self imposed exile until we get closer to the end of the month and more download availability
:)
to JO
welcome! and enjoy the cats until it's time for a new dog
to SUZE
go get 'em girl!
i'm sure you'll get hillary and i know all about horny rabbits who meet untimely ends. thats a story for another time
to GIG,
i'm glad you stopped lurking
to PJ
so glad you're still there
take care in sunny moscow
to CECILE
i love chocolate labs too, border collies, geyhounds, whippets....
hope your boys are better
to BINDI
take care of yourself and serene, we all love you
to all of you
take care and thanks for all your lovely comments
kylie
xx
Well I'm happy I stopped by. Look at what's been happening! Yes, Kylie, you've become so poop-ular you've had to do what we all have had to do...group everyone in to one comment! That's funny!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd my God...you received the ultimate honor...Jo. Jo, spread the love around. We've been waiting a long, long time for you to pop your head up! Kylie, it took a dog. Brilliant. Thank God we all love dogs and kitties. I think I'll post about T-Bone...and poof, Jo will appear. Poor Mark. Hey you...feeling neglected? We still love you too! Mark, do you realize you have the greatest family? Wow. Thank God for One Pic. With out him I don't think any of us would have met. As angry as I am with him, I'm grateful for him every single day because I have all of you.
Love you,
Suze