A Big Black Dog
We could tell the time was coming and as hard as we tried to thoughtfully prolong the inevitable, the decision was humanely made to help our best friend, Timber, to the next level of existence. I have mentioned Timber the Wonder Dog many times before and always because of his excellent behaviour and attitude. This time I have a heavy heart because he had the nerve to actually get old… or should I say older.
Timber was our third “rescue” dog and where some folks would avoid the hassles and problems that can come with a “used” dog, there are many excellent reasons to adopt. We became Timber’s sixth parents and we blessed his fifth parent for recognizing that she did not have the time for a dog and then we blessed her for finding us. She realized that as a single parent of two that worked and went to school, there was little time for a big black dog. We may have missed his puppyhood but we did get a very well-trained senior dog that seemed to appreciate his sixth chance at a forever home. That trade off, puppyhood for a trained adult, can be debated till the cows come home but who wants cows in their home?
Timber was a big “purebred” Lab-Herd-Sky or Labrador, German Shepard, Husky cross, and he was mostly black which is 2 adoption strikes against him. “Big Black Dogs” or BBD’s are what the SPCA and adoption agencies have determined are among the most difficult canines to find forever homes for. Why? Because they are big, which limits interest and because they are black, which for some reason has an effect on their adoptability. Studies have shown that the black dog prejudice might be as simple as their ability or lack of ability to be photographed in detail. Lighter coloured dogs can be photographed easier (with more detail) than BBD’s and in terms of animal adoptions and real estate, curb appeal is very important. Many successful animal adoptions are initiated from looking at photographs of the adoptees. Some folks believe that the BBD syndrome may also be as simple as associating the colour black with the superstition relating to black cats and evil or misfortune. Age was another adoption strike against Timber. He was 8 years old when we took him in. Fortunately, he came with a folder full of his medical history so we knew that he had a few age-related problems, but so do I and I understood. He had a knee problem, I have a knee problem. He had a bad back and hips; I have a bad back and hips. He was no athlete and that’s where we differ slightly, because I still think I’m an outstanding athlete. As a senior, he liked to have naps and as a senior I like to have naps. It wasn’t long before our nap times became synchronized and we even began to snore in a beautiful harmony similar to the Three Stooges.
So what would make a beautiful big black dog like Timber have so many owners/ parents that seemed to give up on him? We weren’t sure, but it may be because he was a loud barker and seemed to distrust tall men with beards. I am a tall man with a beard and even though he snapped at me our first night (he was protecting Mrs. B when I tried to kiss her). After a few days, we became inseparable. I already miss his loud joyful greeting…sigh.
Will we rescue another dog? Probably, after a while, but if you want to get undying gratitude and love from a rescue dog please consider a BBD. You won’t regret it...we didn’t.