Photo by Sam Henderson
I have always had animals in my life, from my first cat — a big, smoke-grey tom named Hiawatha — to my most recent trio of “project” dogs. I loved them all.
I say “project” dogs because while many people acquire companion pets with intention, very few of ours have ended up with us on purpose.
In fact, only three times in my life have I ever chosen a pet. Mostly, they just show up with their bad habits, sad stories, and need for some help. “Project” dogs of course end up being great companions, but they come with a lot of baggage. They are beloved friends, but they are also an ongoing project and lifelong commitment.
Free Bananas: “Project” Dogs and Pets
Charlie Brown
In 2016, my daughter came home from walking our dog Tucker (one of the intentional ones), but there was another dog with her as she came up the steps. A stout, coffee-colored pitbull had joyfully followed her home.
He was a coil of muscle with boundless energy, no identification, and no regard for the laws of physics. Naturally, we opened the door and let him in. Mayhem ensued. Coffee cups flew, furniture was compromised, and doors were damaged. He was a lot.
We have had Charlie Brown for nine years now. He is problematic, he is expensive, but he is ours. We have since lost Tucker, but Charlie Brown is still kicking.
Photo by Sam Henderson
Buddy
In late 2020, some friends of ours found a friendly, dopey gold-and-white boxer mix. He too had no identification and was chronically malnourished. They asked us to keep him for the weekend while they went out of town. That weekend apparently never ended because he is still here and they moved to Portugal.
He is aptly named Buddy Burgers. Buddy (after Buddy the Elf because he loves everyone) and Burgers because in the first 24-hours at our place he ate four nicely seasoned, grill-ready turkey burgers off of the counter in less than a minute. He is no longer underfed.
Elsie
A couple of months later, I drove solo to Texas to care for my father after he suffered a stroke. I was staying at a Motel 6 near the hospital.
As I walked into the lobby a few days into my stay, the desk manager said, “you need to have your dog on a leash.” I assumed someone else was coming in behind me, so I turned to see that indeed someone had followed me inside. There at my heels stood a dirty brown-and-white 8-week-old pit pup with a sweet face and horribly cropped ears stitched with fishing line. The next time I came through the lobby, Elsie was on a leash. She lived with me on the road for nearly a month before I brought her back to Gulfport. She is healed and happy.
We love every one of these guys. They are part of our family regardless of the trouble they cause, the negligence, or cruelty they endured before they found their way here. I would not have it any other way. If not for the love of others, we would all be strays.
Read the latest Free Bananas about Mother’s Day.
What is Free Bananas?
Sam Henderson writes an opinion column for The Gabber Newspaper. He lives in upper Gulfport with his wife and dogs. He’s a natural sciences teacher. As a former elected official, Sam has plenty of thoughts about plenty of things, and the views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gabber Newspaper staff, owners, or advertisers. You can reach Sam at sam@thegabber.com.
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