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A Big Black Dog of Our Very Own
October 25, 2007
By Ellen Gardner, Contributing Editor
Our Big Black Dog came to us mostly by accident.Last summer, our beloved Lou Ann
was in the final stages of canine lymphoma, and my pal Deirdre decided some
retail therapy might take my mind off the situation.
In search of nothing in particular, we encountered a rescue
group holding an adoption event. Right in the middle of a puppy-filled playpen
was a long, upside-down, sound-asleep black pup. Deirdre watched me watch the
little guy. She correctly pointed out that the timing was all wrong, but I did
get his name and the group’s phone number.
We lost Lou Ann a few weeks later,
and though we really weren’t ready for a new dog, our border collie mix was so
heartbroken that we decided to get her one. I called the rescue group and said,
“I don’t suppose you still have a black puppy named Bandit.”
“He was adopted,” the woman said,
“but the family is bringing him back because they decided they want a smaller,
white dog.” Bandit was a victim of what I wrote about in a recent
Creatures Comfort column: Big Black Dog Syndrome, so named because
Big Black Dogs are hardly ever adopted.
We agreed to meet two days later
at a PetSmart store. The rescue group had lots of adorable critters, but as my
husband held the bewildered boy, he said, “This one needs us most.”
Bandit—now called Bogart—turned
out to be loving, smart, and laugh-out-loud funny. Next time you’re looking for
a four-legged addition to your family, linger awhile over the Big Black Dogs. Chances are
good that you’ll find a sweetheart of your very own.
Get started at www.pets911.com, which shows dogs available
from your local shelters and rescue groups.
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Ellen, I can relate to the Big Black Dog
issue. We live on a farm and a number of
years ago a very emaciated black puppy showed
up in our yard. For some unknown reason, she
thought she'd like to live with us. Already
living with an Airedale and a Rat Terrier, we
thought trying to get her adopted out was a
better idea. We fostered Josie (named after
St. Joseph because she showed up on March 19)
for months. Every Saturday we'd get her all
groomed and take her to our local pet
adoption group... and every Saturday they'd
call us late in the afternoon and say, Come
pick her up. No one wants a big black puppy.
As time marched on, we could no longer stand
the thought of letting her go. Josie grew
into an 85 pound sweetie and was officially
adopted by US. NO regrets! Adopted dogs seem
to know you've given them a second chance at
a good life and are appreciative of it as
long as they live.
Posted By: Nicole
How cool is this! My husband and I have
adopted two beagles, we are most drawn to
the ones that need us most also!
Posted By: Jeane
We, too, have a big black dog named
Sherman. He was a tiny lab mix pup four
years ago and the last of the litter. His
joy for life is contagious and he lifts my
spirits every day. Best therapy in the
world--get a BIG BLACK DOG!
Posted By: spudchuck
Thank you so much for this article. Our
first baby was a big, black, 60lb. mix.
When she did at 13 yrs. old, we tried to
replace her with several pure breds which
were not nearly as smart as our Bonnie had
been. After a Soap Opera of dealings,
another big, black, mix found us last
Easter. Sadie is now part of our family
and has been so much better than any of the
ones we had paid money for, and eventually
had to find new homes for. Sadie and
Bonnie's hearts have been as big as their
bodies, and they have been the BEST family
dogs for us with 2 children.
Posted By: Judy
I had my big black puppy, Sabrina, for over
13 years. She was a black lab and was always
so smart and sweet. We also had a big black
Newfoundland whose name was Lucky, but, was
not so lucky. He ate a $2000. pool fence
and my husband sent him to live on a farm.
Actually, maybe he was lucky because the
owner of the farm had a female Newfoundland
who needed a pal.
Posted By: Betty at http://shessewpretty.typepad.com/
I did American Eskimo Dog rescue for a couple of years
and know how many pups need forever homes. On behalf
of us who see the results of neglect and disinterest,
thanks for adopting!
By the way, Eskies are small, fluffy white dogs that end up
in resuce a lot, due to their strong personalities. No
matter the color, please opt to adopt!
Posted By: Melanie
I have a BIG black lab and can't believe
the BBD syndrome!!! Enjoy Bogart!!!!
Posted By: Sharon
Even though he sheds like a black snowstorm
I wouldn't take a million bucks for my BBD,
Derby. He came to me twice through a
circuitous route. Having lost his owner to
cancer, my niece and her family became his
new friends. I was lucky enough to be able
to 'babysit' Derby for 4 mos. while they
moved to Florida. It broke my heart to
return him. But as fate would have it, his
prolific shedding in their swimming pool
and subsequent ruination of several
filters, I got to bring him home for
keeps. I wouldn't mind if he shed a little
less, but hey, what's a little hair among
best friends?
Posted By: Cathy
He is adorable!!
Posted By: dottee
Everyone was away to college or traveling
for work except my youngest daughter who
was attending college locally. Empty house,
late nights, she decided to get a dog. In
to our family from the local shelter came
Onxy, you guessed it a BBD. Smart, sweet,
funny, hated the Pee Wee Herman doll and
thunder, would do anything for biscuits and
gravy. Yes, a good ole southern BBD dog.
Onxy had many good years going off to
graduate school with my daughter and lead a
charmed life, but health issues got the
best of her. After many tears and I am
never getting another dog, into my
daugher's life comes, you guessed another
BBD, Maisy. She was muddy, hungry and under
nourished when she came into the clinic
where my daughter worked. After many tries
to find her a home, my daughter brought her
home for a trial visit and she never left.
She's smart, friendly, and is a puppy at
heart in a grown dog's body. You should
never judge a book by it's cover, and a dog
by it's color. Take a really good look into
their eyes. There is a soul and heart in a
BBD that I have never seen in another dog,
except for the little white Spitz I had for
18 year, but that's whole other story.
Posted By: Patricia on the river
Oh what a beauty Bogart is. He looks like a
dog I had..his name was mickey and i miss
him so much.I wish we could have a dog
now,but we live in a tiny apt...no pets
allowed.We had mickey for 12 years before
he died. I love all dogs and if I ever get
into a bigger place i will adopt another
dog. A BBD would suit me just fine.
Posted By: Linda
Rescuer of TWO BIG BLACK DOGS. We love
them to pieces. Thank you for sharing your
heart warming story. And thank you for the
magazine article bringing BIG BLACK DOWN
SYNDROME to our attention. I've been
passing the word.
Posted By: Norma in So. Oregon
I believe in BIG BLACK DOGS!!! BOGART is a LUCKY DOG!!!
He is very lucky to have a home with you and your
family!!! Thank you.
Posted By: Renee
Our BBD Stella was dumped in the
neighborhood and we took her in for just a
night or two .... three years ago. She is
the best and sweetest girl in the world and
we love her to bits. Thanks for your great
story! Hugs & ear scratches to Bogart.
Posted By: Auntie Beeb
Hi Ellen
What a great story - and one that is near
and dear to my heart as well. Our big
black dog was found at our local animal
shelter seven years ago - a 125 pound big
black lab named Bentley (Big Ben). Your
Bogart is beautiful.
Posted By: Deb
We love our BBD-Mac (My husband calls him
Max)We adopted him. He was homeless. The
Foley, AL police department took him to the
SPCA veterinarian in Foley. He's wonderful!
He's our baby.
Posted By: Jennifer
Having read all these comments, and this
wonderful story. I would like to let people
know that if you have a medical condition,
and an animal companion is what you need.
Then by all means get an animal, and have
your doctor declare your Big Black Dog an
animal companion, and you can have him with
you no matter where you live. Because an
animal companion is not considered a pet, and
does not come under pet rules or laws.
Posted By: Linda in Sacramento
Looks like he found a fab lovin' home now..
Posted By: Christine
Hi Ellen, they are angels watching over us I
am sure...we found ours, and english creme
golden (mixed with a bit of who knows) at
our local shelter when she was just 7 weeks
old. Shayna (hebrew for beautiful) can be
seen in a pic with my daughter on my blog at
http://www.terriconraddesigns.typepad.com in
my heart & handcrafted album.
P.S. I was just reading my email from ME
Home Companion, and want to send a BIG THANK
YOU! to all of its staff. This is truly a
one stop haven for any creative spirit.
Highly resourceful, and the most delicious
eye candy.
Posted By: http://www.terriconraddesigns.typepad.com
Good Stuff
Posted By: Peter
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