Rain Beau

"No more dogs!" I was very adamant on this one issue. My husband, Jim, and I moved to rural North Carolina to escape the trappings of money centered, South Florida. We found a house in the woods away from cars, people and noise and bought a puppy. Buddy is a sweet dog full of energy and very time consuming. He demands 100 percent of my time and attention and is full of mischief. I dote on this dog and he is definitely mommas boy. Jim and I discussed getting a playmate for Buddy but I was against the idea. The time and energy involved in training another dog and the cost of providing food, vet bills and the inconvenience of travel was too much. We agreed to discuss this again in a year or two and I knew I had won.

A friend of ours knew someone who was trying to find a home for an abused and neglected dog. The owner, who was rumored to be a cruel person, was going to shoot the dog if he didn't get "rid" of him soon. I immediately went to see the dog and Jim began asking people if they wanted him or knew of a good home.

When I first saw "Bud" (yes, his name was Bud) he was a pitiful sight. He was dirty, smelly, and very hand shy. His coat was coarse and matted and his eyes were very dull and fearful. I fell in love with him at first sight.

Getting "Bud" to our house was an adventure I do not want to repeat. Jim drove as I held Bud in a head lock and onto his collar. Bud attempted to jump through closed windows whenever cars passed. Holding down a one hundred and thirteen pound, three and a half year old Rottie, whom you do not know, could be rather dangerous, but I was determined. We made it home and somehow got Bud in our fenced back yard. Our Buddy was delighted with his new friend but Bud was scared to death. He was not used to being around other dogs and ran from our ninety three pound Rottie puppy.

We decided to change Bud's name and after much discussion, he was christened Beau. Looking through those big sad eyes was a loving, faithful Beau waiting to be rescued.

The first days were spent loving, feeding and telling Beau he was a good boy. We spent every spare minute with Beau and Buddy to allow Beau the discovery that he was wanted and loved. Teaching him to share food and the basic commands of sit and stay were trying. He always buried his cookies and toys, as if he thought we would take them away again.

Unable to take Beau to a clinic in the car, we found a vet who made house calls. Dr. Dietra Jolly proved to be an excellent vet and a warm, caring person. She pulled Beau through heart and intestinal worms in addition to giving him all the shots he needed. The heartworm treatment was administered at home as we could not take this scared, nervous dog and leave him in a kennel without human contact and love. Beau's thirty day confinement was the longest, most torturous time we have been through. Buddy suffered for his new brother and tried to dig under Beau's kennel to aid his escape. When the attempted rescue failed, he found other ways to amuse his friend. Buddy would take sticks and push one end through the fence so he and Beau could play tug.

When Beau's release date came, all of us celebrated. The boys played and chewed on each others ears and rolled together in the yard. Sticks were tugged and balls were chased as they rejoiced in Beau's new freedom.

Today Beau is a happy, sweet dog who loves pats and tummy rubs. His coat glistens from good food and brushings. His dark brown eyes are bright and sparkle with confidence. Beau knows he will be supplied with fresh water and food daily along with an abundant supply of "good-boys." When hands extend toward him, they are filled with cookies or delivering a friendly, gentle pat.

Today, as I watch him lie in his wading pool, watching me with loving, trustful eyes, I think of the rainbow after a violent storm. We have come a long way in three months and I feel confident we will keep progressing. I am delighted Jim was unable to find Beau another home. Who knows, maybe a female puppy would be just the answer to keep these boys in line.