Some history first...Sandy is now 12 years old. I rescued her from the SPCA 8 years ago. She is my guard dog. I feel 100% secure with her around living by myself. She's got my back. Sandy's a mix of breed but mainly lab and shepherd. Labs have a history of hip problems and woulda know...she's started limping around and can't run with me any longer. They say that older dogs train new dogs the do's and don'ts of the house. I've been considering for some time now on getting another one I've been looking on line, made several calls and visited the Manteca pound multiple times.
Meet Rosco, his name was Charlie but I've always wanted a Rosco.
He's 18 months and is a shepherd mix. He's got either rot or pit in him but I'm not worried at all. He's the biggest love bug ever. He's a bull in a china shop, not graceful at all which makes him even more fun!
He's been a part of our little pack since Monday, I rescued him from the Manteca pound. He'd only been there one day before I saw him. I actually went there to look at a black lab of 18 months who they said would drive Sandy bonkers because he's so hyper I said ohh can I look at the mellow one that was next to the lab's kennel. She said oh you must mean Charlie and brought out a different dog than I was talking about. As soon as I saw him I knew he'd be perfect for Sandy and myself.
I brought Sandy to meet Charlie/Rosco at the pound the next day. I didn't want to adopt him and then realize they'd hate each other. She put him in his place real fast letting him know she would be the senior, alpha dog. At the end of the visit he was licking her face, a sign of submission.
Rosco and Sandy have been playmates since I brought him home. They love to play tug-o-war and they'll wrestle around the house together. It's so fun to see her wagging her tail while playing. You have got to understand that Sandy is NOT, I repeat NOT, a social dog. She's made her job to protect me and not have fun with other dogs. So it's great to see her relaxing a bit and having fun.
I've been taking them both to the dog park and they protect each other. If another dog is trying to push Sandy around Rosco comes and intervenes and vice versa. Rosco thinks he is a small dog. At the dog park if there's Chihuahuas or Yorkies there he'll go hang with them. I can't drag him away, he goes right back to them.
A Rosco story for you real quick...
I had brought Rosco home on a Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning was taking some friend to the airport. It would be raining later so I leave my man door open so they can get in and out. I had my car running in the driveway, had breakfast in hand and because my keys were in my car I decided to lock the front door from the inside and leave through the back gate. The dogs were behind me and as soon as I opened it Rosco went through my legs and bolted out. I just stood there thinking I'm never going to see that dog again. I put my breakfast in my car and thought...he likes Sandy so I went back in the gate got Sandy and their leashes. Sandy and I then left from the front door and Rosco was no where in sight. I thought he'd be half way to Stockton by now. Nice Kellie you've had the dog less than 24 hours and you've lost him. Sandy and I started running but before we got too far I heard a noise that made us stop in our tracks. Then another noise that sounded like breaking wood from my house. Sandy and I went back and Rosco was at the gate tearing the bottom of it trying to get back in. Luckily we got there in enough time not that much damage was done. I opened the gate and he went right back in on his own with Sandy. PHEW!
He knew where he'd come from and where he belongs.
There's been no trouble since.
