Welcome to the
Marriage Builders® Discussion Forum

This is a community where people come in search of marriage related support, answers, or encouragement. Also, information about the Marriage Builders principles can be found in the books available for sale in the Marriage Builders® Bookstore.
If you would like to join our guidance forum, please read the Announcement Forum for instructions, rules, & guidelines.
The members of this community are peers and not professionals. Professional coaching is available by clicking on the link titled Coaching Center at the top of this page.
We trust that you will find the Marriage Builders® Discussion Forum to be a helpful resource for you. We look forward to your participation.
Once you have reviewed all the FAQ, tech support and announcement information, if you still have problems that are not addressed, please e-mail the administrators at mbrestored@gmail.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#2050894 05/02/08 09:54 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 79
M
merlin2 Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
M
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 79
I learned a life lesson from my dad and a dog when I was about eight years old.

Being raised on a rural farm in West Texas we had many animals and pets growing up. My dad had a German Sheppard named Chief. And of all the pets and animals we had growing up, this is the only one I ever knew of my Dad getting attached too. Chief would run and jump in the back of my dad’s pick-up any time Dad left to go to the farm. I remember how Chief would seem to be smiling with the wind blowing in his face, his tongue wagging in the wind. If my dad ever left without him he would run for miles to the farm until he found my dad. He would stay with him all day until he came home at night. They were the best of friends.

Chief had one very dangerous habit; he absolutely loved to chase cars. My Dad tried to break him from chasing cars by scolding him. I remember how sad and broken Chief would look when my Dad would scold him. But it was just too much of a temptation and Chief continued to chase cars and I believe my Dad just couldn’t scold Chief any longer.

One day Dad was going to the farm to change the irrigation water and asked me to go with him. We got into the pick-up and Chief jumped in the back as he always did. As we were leaving, a car was coming down the road toward us, Chief jumped out to chase the car. As Chief approached the car Chief slipped and slid under the car. My Dad stopped and jumped out to see about Chief. Chief was lying beside the road, he was howling and yelping and writhing in pain. My Dad leaned over to put his hand on Chief’s head to comfort him and Chief bit his hand. I remember to this day the look on my Dad’s face. He loved this dog very much and was in shock from the accident. Then when trying to help, getting bit by the dog he loved.

My Dad was finally able to get Chief back to the house were he made a place for him to rest. It was apparent that the accident had broken Chief’s back. My Dad called a veterinarian to come and help Chief. The vet came and told Dad that it would probably be best to put Chief down. Dad asked was there not something that could be done? The vet said Chief would probably not live thru the night and if he did he would probably not be able to walk. Dad just could not let go of Chief and decided to see if he would live.

The next morning my Dad got up to go see about Chief, as soon as he opened the back door he found Chief laying on the back porch still barely alive. But Chief wanted to be closer to my Dad. Dad would hand feed and water Chief every morning and afternoon for weeks. Chief finally got to were he could hold his head up and then to were he could sit on his front paws. Chief’s back legs were paralyzed.

Many months went by and Chief finally got his strength back to the point he could stand. After about a year Chief was able to balance on his hind legs and kind of hop on his back legs. It wasn’t pretty but he was getting around.

One day my Dad was headed out to the farm and Chief hopped over to the back of the pick-up and tried to jump in but couldn’t. My dad got out of the pick-up and went and picked Chief up and sat him in the back. When they left I am not sure which of them had the biggest smile.

Chief lived a very long life after that terrible accident. He never chased cars again!!! My Dad lifted that dog into and out of that pick-up thousands of times over many years. Chief passed away when I was seventeen years old. My Dad shed few tears in my life, but he did that day.

My Dad taught me through his example, that sometimes the things we love most can bite you even when you’re trying to help.

My Dad taught me to stay loyal to your loved ones, even when they bite you.

My Dad taught me doing the “right thing” is not always the “easy thing”.

My Dad taught me not to give up on the ones you love, even if others do.

My Dad taught me that loving is not always easy, but stay firm in who you are.

In our effort to recover from the pain caused by betrayal, I guess I look at it as another life lesson. Just as I will never forget the lesson’s I learned from my Dad and Chief, I will never forget, but perhaps learn from these experiences as well.


I don’t know what experiences you may have had in your life that has molded you into who you are. I believe that “life lessons” are what shape us into the person we become. My Dad is a very big part of “who I am”. For that I am very thankful.

Best wishes,
Merlin2


BS 47 (me)
FWW 40
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,986
P
Member
Offline
Member
P
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,986
Now you've done it. Here I am sitting at my desk trying not to cry. What a great story... and life lesson.


Widowed 11/10/12 after 35 years of marriage
*********************
In a sense now, I am homeless. For the home, the place of refuge, solitude, love-where my husband lived-no longer exists. Joyce Carolyn Oates, A Widow's Story
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,107
B
Member
Offline
Member
B
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,107
Merlin I am SURE God sent us dogs to teach us how to be loyal, brave and reckless ! The world's better for having had Chief in it.

A few more lessons dogs can teach us :

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be Loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

smile


MB Alumni
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 35,996
P
Member
Offline
Member
P
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 35,996
Mr Pep is working on a pilot for CBS

It's current title is

Man's Best Friend

It's basically an American Idol-like competition where the contestants have fur and 4 paws and don't talk back to the judges smile

Apparently it's a summer replacement program.

Should be warm & fuzzy (furry)

Pep

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 79
M
merlin2 Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
M
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 79
We actually had two German Shepard dogs. The other was a younger dog-named Pup. When we got him we couldn’t agree on a name and we just called him pup. Pup also liked to chase cars. Pup was a very stout and powerful dog and when he was young a car also struck him. He was very sore and scratched up but recovered fully. Pup however, didn’t learn to not chase cars; he just became much better at it. He was a real pro at knowing just how to stay far enough away to be safe, but close enough to scare the driver. That was till one day he ran toward a car that had “curb feelers” those little springs that stick out from the edge of the fender well to allow people to feel the curb. (I haven’t seen any of those in many years) Anyway it thumped him in the head and he fell over dead.

So I would agree that we learn mostly good things from dogs as well as some very practical things as well. I think ya’ll can she the practical application here.

Merlin2


BS 47 (me)
FWW 40
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,965
C
Member
Offline
Member
C
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,965
Quote
A few more lessons dogs can teach us :

That is a great list Bob. Very James Harriot. You're not related?

I have to add one more from my Mother's old German Shepherd:

Don't piddle on the carpet when someone scratches your ears. It really is bad form.


Testosterone boys! Testosterone! It aint just for nose, ear and back hair anymore!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,929
F
Member
Offline
Member
F
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,929
Great post!

Dogs have always been in my life! I have three at this particular moment. My favorite saying is on a plaque I have in my sunroom:

My goal is to be a WONDERFUL as my dog thinks I am!

Pep - looking forward to seeing that show! wink


Me (RBW) 6w5 DFW (RWH) 3w2 Established 1/93 Rebuilding since 9/03

Moderated by  Fordude 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Search
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 1,116 guests, and 67 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Mike69, petercgeelan, Zorya, Reyna98, Nofoguy
71,829 Registered Users
Building Marriages That Last A Lifetime
Copyright © 1995-2019, Marriage Builders®. All Rights Reserved.
Site Navigation
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5