News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Liz Ciancone

December 28, 2010

MS. TAKES: Living a dog's life would not be so bad

TERRE HAUTE — If there is anything to reincarnation, I want to come back as a dog. Not just any dog, mind you, but a dog adopted by Number Two son and his family. Equally preferable would be adoption by Number One son and family. Either would suit me fine and I feel sure that I could wrap them around my paw at the second incarnation if the dogs they have already adopted are any indication.

Both families are dog families. I’m not sure about cats. Both sons are allergic to cat dander, so my guess they will let someone else adopt stray cats while they stick with needy dogs.

It started with “Tech,” a stray found breaking up a baseball game at Arsenal Tech by running off with the ball. A greyhound mix, Tech could run down rabbits. When finally apprehended, and the ball redeemed, Number One had a dog. He said he named him Tech so that he could come home after a tiring day and say, “Hi, Tech!” or, alternatively, “‘Lo, Tech.” In a pinch he might teach him to dance so he could greet him “Disco Tech.”

Eventually Tech succumbed and they acquired “Indy,” also an Indianapolis stray who had been so obviously abused it brought tears. It’s amazing how she has responded to TLC and regular medical care. There was also “Sheba,” a neighbor’s pet whose elderly owners were killed in an auto accident and our granddaughter didn’t think she should have to adjust to a new neighborhood, too.

Meanwhile, Number Two and family had a sorrowful parting with “Scooter” when an overseas assignment precluded taking him along. Scooter picked his own adoptive family and, we hope and presume, lived a long and happy life.

“Boo” picked his family just as Scooter did. Number Two and family answered an ad for a beagle up for adoption, but when they went out to claim the dog, it wanted no part of them while Boo made it clear that he really, REALLY wanted to be their dog, and so it was — cuddled closely when his fear of thunder storms became evident.

But Boo is no more and currently Diedre and Popeye are the resident pamperees. Diedre was adopted from the shelter and Popeye was a foundling no one claimed.

We are currently dogless ourselves, but claim grandparent privilege to spoil our granddogs. I’d like to be someone’s favored granddog if I get another shot at this world.



Liz Ciancone is a retired Tribune-Star reporter. Send e-mail to opinion@tribstar.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Liz Ciancone
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades Raw: NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Dies in Wreck Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail 3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On' Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska Raw: Marines Land Osprey on Japanese Ship Failed Cuba-to-Florida Swimmer Won't Try Again Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City Obama Welcomes WNBA Champions to White House Pa. Girl Who Took on Donor Rules Gets Lungs Raw: Australian Begins Cuba to Florida Swim Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin Prosecutors Push for Smartphone "Kill Switch" Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles Google Launches Internet-beaming Balloons Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
NDN Video
Rihanna Hits Fan With Microphone During UK Concert Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions Miami Heat Wins in Overtime Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles Fists, chairs fly in restaurant brawl Journalist Michael Hastings Dies in Fiery Hollywood Crash Hairy Leg Stockings Aim to Deflect Male Attention Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent' WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News