Old dog learns new trick: To be loved!

I like old books, I like old houses; so, it was no surprise when I decided my next dog would be an old dog.

After a lifetime collection of adopted pound dogs, picking the sad-eyed waif huddling in the corner, or taking in a family member's "found" dog, it was time for me to launch into modern technology. I was off to the search on the Internet, specifically www.PetFinder.com, the search site for animal lovers. It is a rescue-only site and there are categories from "barnyard" to "small and furry."

I wanted an old dog. None of that chewing and piddling. None of that house training and leash training. In short, I wanted to know what I was getting.

Once upon a time, I lived with a "found" purebred dog. Morgan was stubborn, untrainable, intractable and too low to the ground. This time, I was picking the breed and I knew what I wanted. I typed in "English Setter."

I wanted the affectionate personality with none of the puppy or teenager stuff. English Setters are the beautiful "bird dogs" of field and stream, pheasant and quail hunters/retrievers. Bred as companion dogs, they are the sweetest dogs, gentle temperament, aiming to please and wonderful family dogs.

After about two months of checking PetFinder, I saw Annie. She was so sweet looking. I called her rescuer; Annie's story grabbed my heart. Annie was a puppy mill mom. The beautiful blue Belton setter was bred year upon year, producing litter after litter. Finished with her, the breeder handed her off to a hunter. Annie, the bird dog who spent her life in a kennel producing puppies, was turned into the pound with a note: "Will not hunt the way I want." Annie was 8 years old. A Good Samaritan redeemed her the day before she was scheduled for execution.

Annie was in Virginia. I was in Charleston. None of that mattered. I wanted that dog! I told Annie's angel, the lady who saved her, it would be a month before I could drive up to adopt her, maybe someone else would ask for her first. "No," I was told, "not many people want old dogs. Annie is yours. She goes off PetFinder today."

One month later, I fetched my "ancient" Annie to her "furever" home. She had never, ever, lived inside, yet she was housebroken the first day. She knew the commands "come," "sit," and "stay." Say "no" and Annie freezes until you release her. She is that easy to train. I will say that gentle temperament and wanting to please was a reason for wanting the setter. Another reason for adopting an old dog — you know just who is moving in with you.

For the first week, my new "baby" ran and trotted an elongated figure 8 at the back door. I realized immediately that Annie had learned this exercise pattern in a kennel. Here was my big backyard, now hers, complete with birds, grass and a back section of overgrown "wild-life habitat," yet Annie ran her figure 8 at the back door. A week or so later she realized that she owned the yard, totally. Now Annie enjoys being mistress of the "back 40" and prances wherever and whenever she chooses. Joy for her and joy for me to see.

There is such joy in seeing an old dog, especially one with Annie's history, happy. Say the word "walk" or "ride" and she dances. She is so full of joy and spirit, one can't help but celebrate with her. Once the leash is on, old Annie walks at your side, faithfully.

Annie has never understood that she no longer needs many of her previously learned survival techniques. My now 11-year-old puppy is an obsessive compulsive. She must turn a circle, counterclockwise, before coming inside. Some days require two or three circles. She must never, ever, step on an iron grate or into a puddle of water; I have no idea what drives her fears. She is terrified of narrow passages, yet will always come when called, racing "the gauntlet" in terror.

Her quirks are kind of cute, a part of her personality and my neighborhood has embraced Annie.

My Annie is a nonspeaking spokesdog for senior dogs of the world. Rescue one, adopt one and/or support those who do! Every tale should have a happy ending.

Ruth M. Miller

Charleston

Compiled by Brenda Rindge. Got a pet? Tell us about it. We want to tell your stories and run your pictures of Rover, Boots and even Ziggy on our Pet Plus page. If it's furry, feathered or slithery, and you love it, tell us why in 250 words or less. If it's a hero, tell us. If it's