RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - DOGS, CATS OR WHAT?

In my experience in the United States, people are either "Dog People" or "Cat People." As the graph above illustrates, not everyone is limited to those types of animals. So I am wondering about pets and experiences with them.

1. Are you a DOG or a CAT person? Or OTHER?
Definitely a dog person.

2. Who were the pets of your childhood and what were they like?
We had some goldfish that we usually won at the annual school carnival. When I was seven, we finally got a puppy, a fox terrier
mix we named Rex. He loved to go camping and hiking and we took him with us on every camping trip all over the US. He made his
last trip to Glacier National Park when I was 17. It was in Atlantic City, IA on our way home to Chicago, when we had to put
him down due to congestive heart failure. He was a great family dog and dearly loved.

3. What pets do you have now?
Two greyhounds - retired, rescued racers, Jazz and Renoir.

4. Have you ever had any unusual pets in your household or visit your home?
We did have turtles along with the gold fish. Those were the days you could buy turtles at a cheap department store in town.
They never did seem live all that long though. Then, of course, came the issue of salmonella and they were no longer
available.

5. What have you learned from your pets? Give one recent example, if possible.
Every dog has given and taught me much. Rex was a confident and friend as I was growing up.
Earl - our first greyhound - rescued from a breeder that was shut down by the state of IL and very underweight when we got
him, was my soul mate. He had stared death in the face and was not fearful of anything. He was quiet but loving. He
spooned with me in bed and was a Pet Pal at the Children's Hospital in Cleveland. He taught me courage and patience,
and gifted me with a connection unlike any other, full of trust and companionship.
Baruch - our Beagle was a cutie with velvet ears and stubborn nature. He was a handful and full of the dickens! Always into
everything. He provided comfort and much amusement. He lived to be over 16 years old. He taught me, that God made
Beagles cute because they are so full of the dickens and God made greyhounds not so cute because they have such wonderful
natures. He also taught me that I would never have a beagle again. He was loved and spoiled!
Benny - our second grey - was a sweet and gentle as could ever be. He wouldn't hurt a fly. He knew every swear word and ran from
them and every clanking pot or dropped object that made a noise. He got better over time. He taught me to be more
gentle. He'd bark at the neighbor Dad whenever he yelled at this kids. Benny didn't like yelling. He didn't bark
really, except when he heard those kids being yelled at. I've never known a sweeter, gentler being than Benny.
Jett - our third grey was a looker, a charmer. He got by on his good looks - a beautiful fawn colored grey. He thought he
was still a lap dog. He was obviously well-treated and loved by his trainer, handler and owner. He would stand in
your lap straddling your legs and pressed up against you. He forgot that weighed 72 lbs and was way to big to really
be on your lap. He got away with a few sneaky things being the handsome fellow he was. Jett could charm the socks
off anyone!!! He charmed us and loved his chest rubs. He taught me to take time to be loved and that with good looks you
can get away with just a little scolding. He was an endearing soul and a bit sneaky - ate my sandwich off my plate while
I answered the doorbell!
Jazz - our fourth grey is goofy and has an irrepressible spirit. He's an overgrown, over-aged puppy. He bounces and wags his
tail with great enthusiasm even at age 9 and still runs laps! He gets excited over everything and loves to be hugged
and get his neck scratched. He teaches me to keep a playful, youthful spirit.
Renoir - our fifth and newest grey is a bit of an enigma. He is quiet, fearful of the outside world, wary of strangers. He
doesn't fully trust me yet, but it is coming slowly. We've had him for a year and a half. He's really quite a good
dog. He's the laziest grey ever. He doesn't do laps or play much with toys, just plasters himself to his LL Bean
bed - safe spot and secure. He is quick, strong and can turn on a dime. When he runs in the yard, he shoots off,
stops, and comes back with a quickness and tight turn that amazes. He's the one who pulled me down last
June and caused the quad rupture. He loves to have his thighs rubbed and massaged - must have had that done during
his racing career. He is teaching me to be stronger and he is learning to trust more.


BONUS: Pictures or anything else related to animals you love.