One day in 2007, my sweet husband rescued a seven-year old dog that would have gone to the pound the following day because his owner, an elderly woman, was moving to Florida to live with her daughter. This was a military family, who had named the dog Soldier and taught him to march in place.
It didn't take me long to fall in love with this boy. He is a needy dog, always asking for petting and reassurance.
He even turns his head to make sure I'm following him.
At the same time, he is a fierce guard dog, who doesn't miss any of the comings and goings at the large ranch next door. But when something unusual appears in the yard, Soldier stands on his love seat, stiff as a board, and quiet as a mouse.
Here we are one Christmas, me and my boy. He's happy at last.
This is how he greets me when I come back from a trip to town.
Soldier hates water, so I'm not sure if that yellow part of him and that lab tail really comes from a lab. But he loves snow and when he realized he could eat it, he loved it even more.
He loves his food too and knows where mine comes from.
Angel and Soldier play together. They are both seniors, but they don't know it, so they have fun together.
They guard together
and rest together.
Then someone else showed up, Samson! He was very tiny at first and Soldier was wonderful with him.
Soldier tells Samson this is what us big dogs do – stand in the window and bark if we see a cow or a tractor or a truck. We bark and bark until mommy tells us to stop.
Samson said he'd rather chew on Soldier's tail. No problem there – but Angel stands by, just to make sure.
Soldier gets a puppy kiss reward.
So who has the longest tongue?
Soldier teaches Samson how to beg.
Soldier has come a long way from his dog house.
Something that makes me so very happy.
I'm crazy about this dog – my husband and I have always had large and powerful dogs, none of them into kissing and petting. I've been longing for a lap dog for years—something along the lines of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – I didn't get that, instead I got Soldier. Never mind my lap dog weighs 76 pounds, he is still the only dog we've had who loves to be petted, hugged and kissed.
I love to kiss his ears and he loves it so much that after a while, he burps! I've never known a dog to burp from sheer pleasure before.
I always wanted a yellow dog. I read somewhere that it's the most common color of mixed breed dogs all over the world. I also wanted a lap dog and now I have both. And Soldier has a good home, a nice loveseat to sleep on, lots of love, food, hugs and kisses and if that's not something to burp about…..
WHat lucky dogs.:)
ReplyDeleteI love Soldiers facial expressions. Seems that the best dogs that come into your life are the ones who 'find' you. And whoever said a lap dog has to be a small breed dog! Soldier is the perfect size. He can keep your whole body warm, not just your lap! :)
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this? I swear that google pulls tricks on me and doesn't show a new entry on my blog list for hours!
ReplyDeleteSoldier is a gem. You can literally see his love for you shining out of his eyes. I'm very happy for both you and him that you found each other.
Sounds like Soldier is one lucky dog.
ReplyDeleteTina and Rising Rainbow: He's lucky, he wouldn't have made it out of the pound alive. Not neutered nor even housebroken. But I'm sooo lucky too -- I got someone to hug and kiss.
ReplyDeleteAJ-Oaks: You are so right, size does not matter.
Louise: Isn't he a cutie pie?
Hi Inger, I don't know what happened, but when I was catching up, I missed this post! Then I just saw it! Love your Soldier, he's a real honey, actually all your dogs are beautiful! I think larger dogs that want to be in your lap, don't think about how big they are, they just want to be loved. I see he gets lots of it!
ReplyDelete~Sharon
Sharon: You may have missed my post because I changed the template. It was a struggle! You are right they all want to be loved and some small dogs are no lap dogs either.
ReplyDeletethank you very much for your comment on my blog! I will be following your lovely blog too!
ReplyDeletexxx
He's a handsome feller for sure! I like big dogs too...hope all is well with you! :D
ReplyDeleteHe is an absolute gem! I love cuddly dogs, too, no matter what their size is. I love all the pictures and I feel all warm inside after reading this:)) Thank you for giving him such a great home!
ReplyDeleteThis was a WONDERFUL post. Soldier is so very lucky to have you as his mama. He is a very special boy. I just want to give him a huge hug and kiss his ears until he burps. lol
ReplyDeleteHan måste ha kommit till himmelriket när han kom till er, vilken lycka.
ReplyDeleteVi har haft hund i flera år men nu har vi ingen det är riktigt jobbigt när man måste avliva dom.
Vår labrador blev 13 år så den blev döv och fick besvärligt att gå.Men kanske det blir en ny den dagen jag slutar mitt jobb som dagbarnvårdare.
Ha en riktigt fin vecka och midsommarhelg.
Kramen/Gunilla
Inger, Great photos! Thanks for the expose on Soldier. It is great to meet him....a very fortunate dog indeed,or should I say that YOU are the fortunate one!
ReplyDeleteAngel and Samson are adorable as well....how well they all get along and stand guard. No wonder you must feel safe there.
Amy: I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.
ReplyDeleteJulie: O feel much better thanks and hope you do too.
Sandra: I feel lucky to be with him.
farmgirl_dk: I love those burps.
Gunilla: Jag forstar hur du kanner det. Tre av vara ar gamla nu och jag har svart att tanka mig livet utan dom.
Jabacue: I feel comletely safe in terms of intruders -- less safe in terms of tripping. But life goes on.
Love to know Soldier! He looks so sweet and adorable! What a lucky boy! Angel and Samson looks adorable too.
ReplyDeleteIf you have the time, please, come to see my daughter's dog, Brahma, she looks like so much Soldier. Click
HERE to see.
Have a nice weekend.