Right now, as I type, he has his head rested on my lap...probably wondering about the next time I will give him a treat, take him for a walk or bring him on a new adventure of his own. You see, I am not the only one who loves new experiences. Freddy also enjoys meeting new people, going new places and bounding around in fields, on trails and through mountains.
It is only fair that Freddy get a highlighted day each week on my blog I think. So, for my first "Freddy Friday" I will give you his background story (well at least as it pertains to me).
One summer, while only working part time, I decided I would like to use my free time to volunteer for a good cause. I have had dogs as pets in the past including: Precious the Beagle, Mollie the Golden Retriever and Sugar the Boxer. They were all amazing pups! I knew having a pet was a lot of responsibility, so I figured volunteering with animals would be a better fit for my spontaneous and busy lifestyle.
One summer weekday, while petsitting for my friend's miniature poodle, I was driving to the public library to return a book. I passed the entrance by mistake and took the next driveway into the complex as I shook my head at myself thinking of how silly I was. I thought to myself, "Here is my opportunity to check out the Franklin Township Animal Shelter." The shelter was in the same area as the library, so I was passing right by. I figured I should see what the shelter looked like inside to decide if I would want to volunteer there. As I entered I was greeted by several friendly faces of volunteers helping out. There were cats, kittens and guinea pigs all where I could see. I asked if I could enter the area where they kept the dogs.
As I entered I heard echoes of barking and yapping. Many big dogs sprung up to jump on the gates of their cages. As I walked by each dog I said hello and tried to calm them down...until I came to a handsome fellow named "Fred". Fred laid there cool as a cucumber. He did not get up, he did not bark and he looked a little sad. "Come on over, buddy," I called to him, but there he laid with his head down, barely raising his eyes to glance at me. On his information sheet it told me Fred was most likely a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and was found as a stray dog in Middlesex, New Jersey. There was not much more information on him other than a guess that he was maybe about one year old.
I rushed to the library to read up on Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I had already read about them in the past. I knew they were bred in Africa as lion hunting dogs. They are extremely fast and athletic pups. I don't have a yard and I live in a small condo, but I knew there was a dog park not too far away. I returned the books to the shelves and I went back over the the shelter to speak with Katie
Nordhaus, the Animal Control Officer in my township. I went home to rethink if I wanted a dog. I was having so much fun with Mrs. Sahns' dog, Maggie, as I petsat for her. I could NOT get Fred off of my mind. I went back two days later to visit the calm and gentle dog I had seen the day before, and here is what I saw...
Oh, so he really does bark...and he didn't pay
much attention to me either on my visit.
I stood in astonishment as this
dog jumped higher than my head!!
I put the video in slow motion so you could see...
After my visit I was a little worried while wondering, "What will my neighbors think if this dog barks all day, or what if he chews my furniture and jumps on everything?!"
It obviously did not scare me away. Here he is right by my side. Stay tuned for more Freddy Fridays where I'll explain more about what an amazing dog and friend Freddy is!! <3
No comments:
Post a Comment