Sheba & Blacky/Smokey

Memories of my first two dogs, dream-like and waiting for me to confirm they existed. Obviously, my really young memories are cloudy. For me to consider these two my first dogs, I just have to believe they were.
I have just a few memories of Sheba. We got her from a farm. She was a dark brown, fluffy dog. She was critically injured when my brother rocked in the recliner and didn't know she was under the chair. I remember blood in the back of the Pinto on the way to (I assume) the vet. She was gone.
Not sure of his name, but he was either Blacky or Smokey, a black Lab from the same farm. My only memory of him was before we moved back to Dayton. He must've gotten loose and lost. However, I seem to remember playing outside near some wooded area and seeing him. He seemed laid-back, rooting through whatever it was in those trees.
I don't remember us searching for him. I would think that we would be upset that our dog was lost. Were my parents so non-chalant about dog ownership back then? This is why I wonder if this truly is a memory. Then again, they allowed Coco to come and go.
Why I haven't just asked the question is beyond me. "Hey, did we have two dogs when I was little named Sheba & Blacky or Smokey?" Something holds me back from asking, though. Weird.

More about my last post

One of the things that prompted me to post the last time was a story I heard on the local news about a "Pit Bull" having bit a child in the face, then being shot after it "charged" police.
I'm bummed everytime I hear one of these stories. It is horrific that a child is bit; that being said, the story did state the child reached for candy in front of the dog. That is not an excuse for the dog biting the child, but it IS a reason why you have to supervise children and dogs of ANY breed.
I was curious as to all of the details and found the following article on the local newspaper online:
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=13AF26760B0E6DD8&p_docnum=1

All in all, mistakes were made, a child was injured, a dog is dead, and everybody thinks it's another example of the Pit Bull breed. Just remember the headline from this article if nothing else: "Owner said dog wasn't Pit Bull."

About my blog profile pic

I have never owned a Pit Bull. However, it is not because I wouldn't. If the right one crossed my path and needed me, I'd be there for it. But, the reason I have the pic (photo credit unknown) I do is because breed specific legislation drives me crazy. Is bad breeding and other horrific events happening with the Pit Bull breed? Certainly. But, it happens in almost every breed. My educated opinion is that the main problem with Pit Bulls is the problem with any other breed: Ignorant owners who don't do the neccesary training and socialization a dog needs. In addition to this, no dog should ever be left unsupervised with a baby or small child. A crying child can sound like injured prey to a dog that has a strong prey-drive.
Any deaths or injuries caused by a dog attack are tragic. Usually, there are warning signs that a bite or attack is about to occur. But, you have to pay attention to the dog's body language and signals and RESPECT the warning it is giving you.
For more information, read the following:
http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/stop-animal-abuse/fact-sheets/dog-bites.html

http://www.andreaarden.com/dog-behavior-problems/stereotypes-and-generalizations-of-the-pit-bull/

http://positively.com/2011/04/06/why-bsl-doesnt-work/

Portnoy: 11/16/92 - 11/1/11

(Photo credit: Me.)