Things did not feel quite right after my first dog Butch was gone. The house had an emptiness. I missed having my dog buddy, especially during summer. I lived on a small street with only 2 nearby friends to play with. They would visit their mom for weeks while school was out. I’d be alone and it’s tough to be that way as a kid. I think my parents noticed and that’s when it was decided to get my second dog.
My parents decided to get a dog at the Humane Society. We make the 45 minute trip to downtown Atlanta one weekend. I barely remember going through and looking at all the dogs. I do remember picking one. It was little black and white dog with a sweet face. My parents paid the fee, did the paperwork, and we headed home.
The dog was with me in the backseat. We started having a conversation about what to name him. Suddenly he started jumping up and bouncing all around. I was laughing and said something like “you are so rowdy” and that is how my second dog got his name. Rowdy was fitting for him.
Rowdy loved to play and chase. I’d throw a ball and he’d bring it back over and over again. He’d chase after rabbits, squirrels, cats, and pretty much anything that moved. He was an outside dog for the most part. He’d be inside on occasion when my mom would allow it. I think my mom didn’t care for his rowdiness and dog hair everywhere.
I had a new boyfriend and wanted my parents to meet him. Rowdy ran in when I opened the door. The very second my boyfriend stepped inside my mom yelled: “what did you let him in for?”. What an awkward moment! It’s a good thing it was laughed off. That boyfriend became my husband a short while after.
A few weeks before the wedding, I lost Rowdy. His chasing got the best of him. He chased after a car and was run over. From that day on, I’ve never let a dog run loose. It’s the main lesson I learned from my second dog. My dogs have either been inside a fence or on a leash. I’ve been in a sheer panic the few times my dogs have escaped. Luckily they have come back safely after their run around the neighborhood.
Next came Dusty, our first family dog.
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