I've driven on the Walter Reuther freeway in Detroit many times, but never thought to wonder who he was - figured he was just a Detroit auto executive of some kind. Your story about Walter the dog prompted me to read about Walter the man, and I'm so glad that I did. When I moved to Michigan 23 years ago, I was largely indifferent to unions in the present day, though I appreciated what they had historically done for working people. These days I'm a union supporter - thanks for adding to my knowledge of union history.
What a great tribute. I adopted my latest dog from a photo as well. Yes, I did go visit her a few times before the actual adoption just to let her get to know me. But it was her photo that first caught me. My senior cats were not too happy, but they are coping.
What a beautiful family story. We are going to steal Sherrod's idea of playing the Beatles birthday song for our dogs. After all, they are Old English sheepdogs, Paul McCartney's favorite breed. One is named Paul Winston (the breeders name for him) McCartney Fuzzybottom Snugglenugget. The other named for PM's beloved dog Martha (as in his song, "Martha, My Dear"), is Sweet Martin Fuzzybottom Snugglenugget. Oh, that Walter has you-know-who's looked dialed in.
Thank you so much for this. We just moved from the West coast to the East, with our 18-year-old terrier Truman (Hairy Is Truman is my husband's joke.) He moves very slowly, his eyesight is down to seeing shadows, his hearing is gone - but oh, how his tail wags when the harness comes out for a walk, or as he tracks his food bowl's journey from the kitchen counter to the little platform it sits on when he eats. And he still makes his little "moos" of pleasure when he cuddles up for a head rub. We get teased for all we do for our sweet old man, but you said it best - he is ours and we are his.
A few years ago I was gifted with a red golden retriever rescue dog. He came into my life at 1 1/2 years old. I named him Red and he thinks he is my dog husband. When I have a sad moment missing my husband who passed away. Red nudges me and let’s me know he has my back.
I began reading with so many smiles and several laughs and giggles; now I’m here in tears. Mainly because I’ve been where you are with beloved four-legged family members. They are our friends, relations (it’s truly a perfect word for them, isn’t it?), and often our “ghostly confessors.” They are noble, forgiving, and pure unadulterated love. Happy Birthday Franklin. Though I’ve never met any of you in person, you’re one of my favorite families.
Happy birthday, Franklin! We have a rescue cat who became our world 14 years ago and is also showing her age. We get our first puppy this Thursday. Pets do become our babies and our world without us realizing or thinking about it. They happen to know exactly what we need.
PS I like this topic choice much better than your alternate.
Oh didn’t we all want to be Breck girls? I have seen through your writing how comforting it is to have a pet when there aren’t daily kid steps in the house. After my husband’s retirement in a year or so we look forward to joining the happy herd:)
"You are not sleeping in my bed" ha ha ha...how many first time dog owners have said those fateful words? I was once asked if I allowed my dogs to sleep in my bed. My answer was: What other reason is there to have a dog, than to snuggle with in bed at night"?
We, your readers, have all fallen in love with Franklin and Walter. What was Sherrod thinking when he laid out those silly rules. I am so happy those dogs are in your life and by extension, in our lives as well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRANKLIN!
My favorite mug is of Franklin. We rescued 2 cats - littermates - not long before Franklin came into your lives. I’d not had a pet since my parakeet (Tweety,of course) as a child in Dayton, a gift from our neighbors. (He - neighbor, not Tweety - worked first at McCall’s then “the Cash”. Ohio never leaves me.) Getting the cats was a big deal: I’m allergic; my spouse had worked on me for years and “took advantage” of my cancer diagnosis - “they’ll comfort you.” On the way home, I said ALL that Sherrod said and you wrote then, after we’d had “the girls” for 3 years, and again about Franklin: no baby talk, no mommy/daddy, no bed, blah blah blah. I think often of them - Lola gone at 6 of cancer, Mandy just months ago at 15 - and each time I talk to Lina (now almost 10) of what Sherrod said, I said, and we both changed to say. Happy Franklin Day a bit late. May he shed amidst love!
This made me laugh & cry in all the best possible ways. Thank you, Connie!
I just convinced my husband (after 30 years of being together) to adopt a dog.
I wanted a rescue dog. My husband met a pair of vizslas and decided he wanted a rescue Vizsla. That’s a dog, so I agreed!
A year later, Atlas the rescue Vizsla entered our lives & has introduced me to my husband at 15 years old. Both are sweet & love a good scritch.
Marc, I am delighted to learn that Atlas is now a member of your family. Enjoy your husband's childhood.
I've driven on the Walter Reuther freeway in Detroit many times, but never thought to wonder who he was - figured he was just a Detroit auto executive of some kind. Your story about Walter the dog prompted me to read about Walter the man, and I'm so glad that I did. When I moved to Michigan 23 years ago, I was largely indifferent to unions in the present day, though I appreciated what they had historically done for working people. These days I'm a union supporter - thanks for adding to my knowledge of union history.
Perfect. Thank you for sharing the heartfelt wonder and simply joys of life with Franklin and Walter.
No affiliation, but a product called My Pet Peed is great on stains and smells.
Happy Birthday, Franklin!
Not affiliated with the company, but a product called My Pet Peed is great on smells and stains.
What a great tribute. I adopted my latest dog from a photo as well. Yes, I did go visit her a few times before the actual adoption just to let her get to know me. But it was her photo that first caught me. My senior cats were not too happy, but they are coping.
What a beautiful family story. We are going to steal Sherrod's idea of playing the Beatles birthday song for our dogs. After all, they are Old English sheepdogs, Paul McCartney's favorite breed. One is named Paul Winston (the breeders name for him) McCartney Fuzzybottom Snugglenugget. The other named for PM's beloved dog Martha (as in his song, "Martha, My Dear"), is Sweet Martin Fuzzybottom Snugglenugget. Oh, that Walter has you-know-who's looked dialed in.
Thank you so much for this. We just moved from the West coast to the East, with our 18-year-old terrier Truman (Hairy Is Truman is my husband's joke.) He moves very slowly, his eyesight is down to seeing shadows, his hearing is gone - but oh, how his tail wags when the harness comes out for a walk, or as he tracks his food bowl's journey from the kitchen counter to the little platform it sits on when he eats. And he still makes his little "moos" of pleasure when he cuddles up for a head rub. We get teased for all we do for our sweet old man, but you said it best - he is ours and we are his.
I love this ❤️
A few years ago I was gifted with a red golden retriever rescue dog. He came into my life at 1 1/2 years old. I named him Red and he thinks he is my dog husband. When I have a sad moment missing my husband who passed away. Red nudges me and let’s me know he has my back.
Love this dog also ❤️
I began reading with so many smiles and several laughs and giggles; now I’m here in tears. Mainly because I’ve been where you are with beloved four-legged family members. They are our friends, relations (it’s truly a perfect word for them, isn’t it?), and often our “ghostly confessors.” They are noble, forgiving, and pure unadulterated love. Happy Birthday Franklin. Though I’ve never met any of you in person, you’re one of my favorite families.
Happy birthday, Franklin! We have a rescue cat who became our world 14 years ago and is also showing her age. We get our first puppy this Thursday. Pets do become our babies and our world without us realizing or thinking about it. They happen to know exactly what we need.
PS I like this topic choice much better than your alternate.
Oh didn’t we all want to be Breck girls? I have seen through your writing how comforting it is to have a pet when there aren’t daily kid steps in the house. After my husband’s retirement in a year or so we look forward to joining the happy herd:)
lovely story & those are some adorable puppers:)
"You are not sleeping in my bed" ha ha ha...how many first time dog owners have said those fateful words? I was once asked if I allowed my dogs to sleep in my bed. My answer was: What other reason is there to have a dog, than to snuggle with in bed at night"?
We, your readers, have all fallen in love with Franklin and Walter. What was Sherrod thinking when he laid out those silly rules. I am so happy those dogs are in your life and by extension, in our lives as well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRANKLIN!
Thank you so much for the subscription. I appreciate it so much at this time. I will pay it forward when I am able to.
Reading your beautiful stories brings a calmness to my life right now.
My favorite mug is of Franklin. We rescued 2 cats - littermates - not long before Franklin came into your lives. I’d not had a pet since my parakeet (Tweety,of course) as a child in Dayton, a gift from our neighbors. (He - neighbor, not Tweety - worked first at McCall’s then “the Cash”. Ohio never leaves me.) Getting the cats was a big deal: I’m allergic; my spouse had worked on me for years and “took advantage” of my cancer diagnosis - “they’ll comfort you.” On the way home, I said ALL that Sherrod said and you wrote then, after we’d had “the girls” for 3 years, and again about Franklin: no baby talk, no mommy/daddy, no bed, blah blah blah. I think often of them - Lola gone at 6 of cancer, Mandy just months ago at 15 - and each time I talk to Lina (now almost 10) of what Sherrod said, I said, and we both changed to say. Happy Franklin Day a bit late. May he shed amidst love!