The True Story of Mama Dog

Mama Dog

Recollect that the Almighty, who gave the dog to be companion

of our pleasures and our toils,

hath invested him with a nature noble and incapable of deceit.

Sir Walter Scott

I knew my neighbor, Darlene, had a soft spot for dogs when she first visited us and fell in love with one of Maggie, the Jack Russell's, puppies--Cricket. At the time, Darlene had a lot of irons in the fire--including a move from South Louisiana, and building a new house. On every visit to Mountain Springs, she would stop in and check to see if Cricket was still with us. Finally, she gave in and "adopted" her. She is now her constant, and sometimes exasperating companion. Cricket joined two older dogs, and quickly made her place in the dog family.

It wasn't surprising when Darlene called one day to tell me she had found a very hungry and dirty old hound female dog at the river, and she was in need of some loving care. So she brought her home, bathed, fed, and doctored the poor thing. Her idea was to feed her and find the owner. However, it was soon apparent that the owner wasn't interested in being "found". We are quite sure she was abused, as she is very meek and skittish when corrected in any way. Two days after bringing her home, the hound gave birth to nine fairly healthy pups! Thus, the name "Mama Dog"!

With Darlene's nursing background, Mama and her family thrived. I told her that Mama obviously believed she had died and gone to "Dog Heaven" and had taken her pups along!

With some convincing on Darlene's part, the pups were adopted by families with similar "soft spots" for animals in need. However, no one was willing to take a skinny, abandoned female hound dog. All the time, Mama was working her "charm" on those she came in contact with. Her only sceptics were our husbands who were convinced that a deer hound on the mountain would be the end of wildlife of any kind. Mama proved different. She might run a rabbit around the yard in the early morning, but she wasn't interested in chasing deer for hours on end--which is why she probably was never claimed by the original owner!

Nowadays, Mama Dog spends her time in her own "dog heaven"--our mountain neighborhood. You might find her basking in the sunshine in Darlene's flowerbed, guarding the yard from critters, or sleeping in her very own bed in the basement. Occasionally, she may look up the hill at one of the cabins. She has a way of knowing who "needs" a visit, and who doesn't. Numerous guests mention her as the "cabin dog" who comes to the door, offers a paw (if you don't respond, she will offer the other paw), and, in her own way, Mama welcomes you to the mountains. She has had several names--Molly, Lady, Rose-- and answers to any name that is spoken in a soft voice. Both cabin journals have several stories about her. She does have a way of encouraging one to offer a snack, but she doesn't insist, and will leave if not welcome. Children are her joy, and a little kind attention from a child is all she wants in life (other than a scrap now and then)!

Wouldn't we all be better off if we were so easy to please, and content with our lot in life?

Life is good on the mountain for dogs and people!!!!