by Danielle Watson

Created on: October 13, 2009

It was really hard for me to take care of a dog I had

I have a testimony about a dog I once had and why I don't have her today. My brother and his family got a dog named Melody. She is an Affenpinscher and probably purebred. She was very little and full grown. I would go to my brother's house almost everyday just to play with her. She was very playful. I would run after her and then she would turn and run after me. She was a very smart dog. She would play tug of war with you and do little tricks for treats. Soon my brother's family had to move to a new home, but could not have dogs. As a perfect opportunity for me I told them that I would take care of her, and they agreed. I had never done so much work taking care of a little dog.

The thing about Melody was that she would run away at a whim. I would walk toward her, and she would walk forward a bit. It is very hard to catch her, so I went into the house, and soon she came back. Her breed is also known for being very stubborn. The first night I was on the computer she looked up at me and stared. Then she started whining and then barking, so I took her outside and hoped she used the restroom because I could not really see anything in the dark. During the day, she performed this attitude, so I took her out about 7 times a day. Sometimes I would take her out, and she just wanted to just sit in the grass. So during the day I would lay on a blanket with Melody on a long rope, as she likes sitting in the sun.

Walking was the worst. She would walk with you a few steps and smell a tree, which was normal. But if she wanted to walk in the street or turn around to go back, it was like walking a cat. She just sat there like a lump with me trying to get her to walk. I decided to pick her up whenever she stopped, but I guess she really didn't care, because she would do this all the way down the block. It was tiring.

She also would not come to you if you asked and she would sit and just stare out you down the hall. I then decided she was too much trouble for me. I took her to my brother's house, but he first had to take a ride to his great grandmother's house. His grandmother had just lost 2 of her dogs. Do you know what we were thinking? We kindly put Melody in the house, talked awhile, and finally left. His grandmother allowed her to stay, which was a big relief. It was much better than to take her anywhere else.

Melody was the smartest dog I had ever known, and she really outsmarted me. The adventure was fun, but I could not do it again. When I am ready, I will probably get a dog from a shelter who is more loving. I learned a bit, so this adventure was not in vain. But Melody is on a whole other level, and she knows she can take care of herself.

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