WestieDogDaze

Travis My Cutie!

Travis enjoying his Hulk shirt. 

I learned quite a bit about him in the last few days. I learned that he is terrified of anything being pulled off of his head. He fought back incredibly hard when I tried to take his sweater off, biting and twisting and snarling. After I finally unmuzzled him, he took around 30 minutes to calm down. I don't know if I will ever let him wear a shirt again.

But he seems to love me more with each passing day. It's been years since I had a dog that followed me around literally everywhere I go; Travis cannot let me out of his sight when I am home. He also enjoys snuggling up in my arms, something that Bill and Bob have never really wanted to do. To say that I am in love with my little Travis is to understate the situation. 

And as much as I love him, I am equally disappointed that he suffered so much before his rescue. Obviously he experienced crushing abuse, especially physically. I can tell by looking at him that he went hungry; I suspect that he was never neutered before he was rescued; I know that he has some form of doggy psychosis, which is interesting in a clinical kind of way. When I tried to pull his sweater off he experienced PTSD. 

All of those things make Travis an interesting challenge, and it's interesting to note that he seems to understand his situation. After he has an episode, his demeanor changes to something resembling human remorse.

 

William Cowper's "The Dog and the Water-lily" Remixed 😃🐾

The Dog and the Water Lily

Originally by William Cowper (1731-1800) and selfishly "remixed" by me.

No Fable

The noon was shady, and soft airs

    Swept the Brazos' silent tide,

When, 'scap'd from literary cares,

    I wander'd on his side.

My Westie, most majestic of his breed,

    And high in pedigree,

(Two losers, adorned with cruelties of ev'ry style,

    That Westie adopted to me)

Now wanton'd lost in flags and reeds,

    Now starting into sight

Pursued the ball o'er the fields,

    With scarce a slower flight.

It was the time when Brazos display'd

    His lilies newly blown;

Their beauties I intent survey'd;

    And one I wish'd my own.

With stick extended far I sought

    To steer it close to land;

But still the prize, though nearly caught,

    Escap'd my eager hand.

Travis marked my unsuccessful pains

    With fixt consid'rate face,

And puzzling set his puppy brains

    To comprehend the case.

But with a chirrup clear and strong,

    Dispersing all his dream,

I thence withdrew, and follow'd long

    The windlings of the stream.

My ramble finish'd, I return'd.

    Travis trotting far before

The floating wreath again discern'd,

    And plunging left the shore.

I saw him with that lily cropped

    Impatient swim to meet

My quick approach, and soon he dropp'd 

    The treasure at my feet.

Charm'd with the sight, the world, I cried,

    Shall hear of this thy deed,

My dog shall mortify the pride

    Of man's superior breed;

But, chief, myself I will enjoin,

    Awake at duty's call,

To show a love as prompt as thine

    To Him who gives me all.