Many cats in my life

There were lots of cats on the farm which I carried around. But the first one I brought home for my very own family pet was Alexandra (Alex for short) - we weren't allowed to have pets in our first "home" - the apartment. So I had to sneak her in and hope she didn't make lots of noise. She was not spay. She peed in my shoes and I had to throw them all away. But Still... I loved her. She sadly was killed by a car. One of our neighbors saw a person purposely go off the road to hit her. Even though she never really did any more then tolerate Edel, - he *loved her*. We buried her in the back field behind our house, Bryan was just a baby still. Edel would lay in the middle of the yard on his cable and stare in that direction. I wonder if he mourned her?
The next cat I got was Panda. Cute as a button. Her mother was hit by a car and killed. so maybe she was sent to me by Alex? I know she loved Edel as much as he loved her. She wasn't at all interested in the bull terriers though. And she was our last indoor cat.
when we moved to our new house in 1995 - and 'inherited' a whole load of cats, most very wild, some - kind of tame. I really enjoyed a lot of them. But if you feed them, they will continue to come... and we had too many. so now I don't feed the cats that come to visit.

And our temporary Dog....

Our friends had a litter of pups. I helped find one of them a home. It didn't work out - so I took her back for awhile to live with us. She wasn't with us long. Her name was Missy. Tom said we couldn't have *two dogs*!! (too many!) - wonder if he realized what he was "in for" - I know I never imagined - I would one day have 5 bull terriers! He is so nice to me! and Yes, I admit to being a bit spoiled! :o)

Really... My Very Own Dog!

So, in 1975, April of that year. I got my very own dog! His name was NuHorizon Edel Riese'. My German friend at work helped me name him Edel is supposed to mean Noble according to what she told me. And Riese' was supposed to mean Giant. Who was I to say? Worked for me. He was fawn with a black mask, and alllllllllll mine! Smile! He was born Feb. 10th, 1975. At 9 months old - he was 90 pounds! the first photo of him alone shows him at 5 months of age! the second one was taken with our son Bryan in 1976. He had a lot of health problems over the years, and only weighed 150 pounds. Pretty thin for a dog 36" at the shoulders, and over 6' tall standing on his hind legs. I lost him when he was 5 years and 2 weeks old to Bloat and Torsion. A very common problem in deep chested breeds. I dabbled in show training him a little while Bryan and Vince were babies/ toddlers. But he never gained enough weight to actually show. His name Edel is part of the reason I chose Edelwin for my kennel name. He loved Alex the cat. And adored Panda the cat I got after Alex was hit by a car one evening. Panda loved him too.

My Very Own Dog....

Okay, so he was our Family's dog. He was my best friend for 13 1/2 years - he was a lab X cocker mix which we got to pick out at a place like a farm. I was 7 years old. I remember trying to think of a name. Corie, my sister, my Mom and Dad and I went round and round. .........Butch was who he became. And his name So Fit him! Sadly, he had epilepsy most all of his life, and that was what would end up taking him away from us in the end. He was a escape artist, and wandered the neighborhood once in awhile. Making me worry about him So much. He was my walking pal for years and years. I have always felt comfort when feeling sad or upset in leashing up my dog(s) and taking them for walks. I have put Many a mile on many a dog over the years. Butch kept all my "secrets" and I shared many with him! And when I became engaged to marry my dear, patient husband Tom - he was the Only family member home on that day in June of 1972. He got to see my ring before any others. And he Was SO happy for me. Wink! of course he was just plain happy! I have many photos of Butch. But, here are a couple of my favorites. the one in black and white was taken in 1965 when my cousin Vonnie and her dog Peggy and Butch and I went climbing and hiking. Butch and Peggy a sweet Springer Spaniel were wet from a swim. I was 11 years old, Vonnie 12. The second photo was taken of Butch in my parent's basement - he was about 12 years old in this photo, and it was taken in 1973. This was the year, I would move away from home and get married. I left Butch behind with the family. And adopted a cat, whom was named Alexandra (Alex for short). I sneaked her into our apartment, while Tom was out of town. Big Smile! ( a story for another blog) - Butch had many more seizures in 1974 - and even the medication which at the time was so primitive, made him no more then a "shell of himself" - quit working. And although I got to see him and try to give him medicine that very last day, he was so ill. After I put the tablet down his throat to hopefully help him not have a seizure, I remember him stopping and looking at me as if he "knew who I was" - and then went right into another seizure. He went blind, and was having one after another. My dear dad took him for his final trip to the vet December 12th, 1974. I was heartbroken. He was first of many that I would have to say goodbye to. And it never gets any easier! Dogs Really don't stay near long enough.
While in school, before Butch went away, I loved looking at dog books. I found old Gazette Magazines, and decided early on that one day I WOULD own a Great Dane, AND a Bull Terrier. These were the Breeds for Me! Big smile! I probably still have the Gazette around here which featured Hon. David Merriam's Bull Terrier on it's cover. I believe it was "Sandpiper". He was amazing looking. I can't remember his full registered name. But, Yes, One day I would have those breeds...

Photos of Blacky and I On the Farm...

I actually think that my love for animals was in part because this was where I wanted to spend all my free time while growing up - on the farm in MN. I spent weeks on end at my Grandpa and Grandma's house. Helping feed the animals, and learning all I could from them. I also had a pet Cow for 12 years. my Grandpa was a old softy - he didn't destroy "Blacky" until a couple of years had passed that she didn't calve. She didn't "freshen" (as he called it) - I am sure due to her age. But she was great a pet. She came when her name was called. She would lay down and let me sit on her. she loved to be hugged and kissed even! I have always Loved to spend quiet peaceful time with my animals. They are always "there" no matter what. :o) Here is a photo of me and my dear old Blacky. She was my subject of many a art project I did in schoo - I still have a painting of her up above my kitchen cupboards now that I did. My teacher - Mr. Englin was the Best art teacher I had. I think of him often! I also think of how much time I hung out with her and the other cows in the fields, for hours and hours, just enjoying the peace and quiet... She was about 9 years old in this photo and it was taken in 1970. The one in black and white was of me leaning on Blacky out in the pasture. She was such a nice girl!
I haven't only loved "just dogs". I enjoy all animals. Still do, but Bull Terriers have become my "thing"! My cousin Vonnie and I would pour over newspaper ads looking for a horse. For SURE we wanted one. Just convincing our parents was the only hurdle we never seemed to get over! Vonnie and I still smile about wondering *Just What a Gelding Was* ...... and ended up asking my dad. :o) He is such a great teacher about the birds and the bees!! ;o)) I never did get a horse. Vonnie has one of her own these days - and her and I have oh so much in common when it comes to animals!
I stayed the last time on my Grandparents farm after Tom and I were married - in 1974. He went fishing with a friend. Alex my cat, and I spent the weekend with my Grandpa and Grandma - so I wouldn't have to be alone. It was So peaceful. I have so many wonderful memories. I sure miss them a lot! they both passed away in the mid 1980's. So much has changed on their land now. They wouldn't recognize the farmstead anymore. I hardly did the last time I was out there!

okay... here we go a start ... early days

I guess my "first dog" that I really loved was the one my Grandparents had on the Farm. I Loved Tuffy. there might have been another before him, but he was the one I remember the most. I think he was around before the puppy my dad brought home for us one year. A cocker spaniel - who I guess wasn't around long enough to take a photo of her. I don't remember her name even. all I remember is she was very naughty and crabby. And her sister was bought for my cousin Vonnie and her brothers about the same time. Must have been about the time Cockers were being over bred - as both of them didn't last long in our houses - and from what I remember they met rather tragic endings. One photo here shows Tuffy in front of my Grandparents farmhouse, and the other out in the barnyard with a few cows. he was about 12 years old in these photos.

I need to start adding photos..

I have SO many photos of dogs that I have loved in my own home. And know so many who have touched my heart, that weren't my own - Friends dogs / relatives dogs - and dogs that were born here - but live with people who have become part of my "extended family". I am going to try and start adding photos. The three dogs that share my life at home now - and keep me walking are: above - Dora and two of her Daughters - Alex and Kissy.