Steve A Canine…This Dog Won the Hearts in the Home
This is my dog, Steve. I adopted him about five years ago from a rescue shelter in Larkspur. This was the first time I had ever adopted a dog. Thanks to Steve, it won't be my last.
It was everybody's guess, including a couple of Veterinarians, that he was about a year-and-a-half old when we took him into our home. He's not a pure yellow Lab. We think the other mix is Akita. I once thought that I would invest in blood tests to determine his mix, but I eventually came to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter. He is Steve. He's my buddy.
The name? Before I got him, I would tell friends and family that want to walk around with my dog and have people say, "Look! There's Doc and his dog named Steve!" Indeed, this has happened on several occasions and it brought a smile to my face every time.
I have been blessed with quite a few dogs as my pet and companion over the years. I had a dalmatian named "Henry" who was such a sweet dog. He was a pure-bred and so full of energy. He died suddenly at the age of six. It broke my heart and it took me a while to turn that grief into desire to get another dog. My first five years here in Northern Colorado, me and the family lived in a rental home that would not allow dogs. I actually bought a home with getting a dog at the top of my priority list. In fact, one week after buying the house, I found Steve.
I was the only one in the family with prior dog experience. They had no idea what we were bringing into the home or how to treat it. My concern was that if we got the wrong dog, then this experiment could go horribly wrong and fast. In less than one day, we all learned that Steve is a sweetheart and in need of three things for survival: food, water, and love. He's a very smart dog. He picks up on routine and discipline quickly. His kennel was a challenge at first, but now he knows where to go if anyone says "kennel".
I will claim that I have the best dog ever. You would probably claim the same for your dog. That's the way it's supposed to be. Due to much prodding and pleading from friends and family, I have create a Facebook page just for Steve. It's called "Steve A Canine". Steve is a dog, but he's also a member of the family.