Jumping to conclusions and a lesson learned

annieG

Our neighbor across the street has a golden retriever that he rescued about a year ago. Then about a week ago we noticed a large German shepherd in his yard. The dog barks and barks and because we get up at 5:30, and are old, we usually go to bed by 9 pm. Well, my neighbor doesn't get home sometimes until later.

I have become increasingly annoyed with the barking and have been watching for my neighbor so that I might say something to him. This AM when walking Tanner we met the neighbor and his two dogs. I decided to open the conversation with an inquiry about his "beautiful new dog". I am so glad I didn't start in complaining because he told me that his brother died 2 weeks ago and this was his dog. His brother had shingles for 4 years and died of pneumonia which was masked by the pain killers they had him on.

All of a sudden, I just wanted to hug them all. Poor Zeus (the shepherd) losing his master and my neighbor losing his brother. He is considering adopting the Zeus. The dogs all said hello and I made a fuss over Zeus and noticed when I left for work that he didn't bark at me. Needless to say, his barking won't bother me anymore Crying or Very sad

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seazr · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:28 pm Post subject:

What a bitter sweet story, and a lesson for us all . . .
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KGarro · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:31 pm Post subject:

How sweet of your neighbor to take in his Nephew.
Well wishes for Zeus.
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Tink · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:43 pm Post subject:

Annie, how good that you were decent about it!

Often there is more to the story that makes it all take on a very different look.
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ellabee · Senior Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 1551 Location: NJ

Wow. Thanks for sharing your experience, and reminding us that things are not always as they appear...
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JETA · Junior Member Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 96

Ooooooooh, how horribly sad. You are so nice to be there for your neighbor.
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gene · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:56 pm Post subject:

Thank you for posting that! Makes you think..... Wink

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blueteal · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:37 pm Post subject:

I Love those kinds of stories............
Very inspiring and a nice lesson learned Wink

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Raleighsmom · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject:

Beautiful story Annie...thanks for making us all think before we speak!!! Wink

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annieG · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:13 pm Post subject:

I've been calling out to him when I am in the front yard..saying Hi Zeus....good boy and such and he isn't barking nearly as much. He must be confused and missing his master Sad

And the strange thing is that my son who is 44, had a terrible bout of shingles this past summer... Idea

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AnnieG & Tanner

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

Calimom · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject:

Hugs to all of you. I hope Zeus and your neighbor help each other heal after their shared loss.
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Meg and Cali

sessa35 · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject:

AnnieG: how humble of you to share that story...and it could have been mistaken so easily...but, in the end, a much more sincere story is revealed, and one that is heart-touching at that....
Thanks for sharing a life lesson!
Very Happy

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MaxandMe · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:35 pm Post subject:

Annie ...a real true story like that makes one more humble

thank you for sharing Very Happy

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