Dancer

OK, but are you going to tell us about how you got Dancer, her story, etc?

Sure.  Dancer's first family got her from the shelter and took her to live on a cattle ranch in Montana.  She was something of a working dog there - dad was a cowboy, and mom was handicapped and in a wheelchair.  They left Montana and headed for Maine to relocate, ran out of money in Mass.  My friend heard of them because they went to a human shelter that wouldn't take Dancer, so they were going to go hungry and sleep in their truck rather than part with her.
(I don't blame them!)  Anyway, my friend offered to board the dog for free, and she even helped him get a job around here.  He was a bit of a drinker, and after a while, he got pretty bad and started to mistreat the Mrs.  She called me one day, said she had to get away from him and would I take Dancer (she actually owned the dog).  So, I agreed to buy Dancer for $1 just to make it legal, and promised her a good home for life. 
In reality, I think we were just destined to find one another.  []

How old was Dancer when you got her? Can you post a pic, please? Do the woman who sold you Dancer know of her history BEFORE she was put in the shelter? Did the woman stay in contact with you after she sold Dancer?
 
Why do you believe Dancer and you were fated to be together? What has been the most valuable lesson you've learned from Dancer? Was your dog's name always Dancer?
 
(Sorry, Anne, I'm on a roll)
 
Has Dancer had any jobs while living with you? If so, what -- and which ones were her favorite?
 
I have more questions, but I'll let you answer these first.....

So Dancer, what do you think about the new puppy? I've seen pictures of her and Sioux but can't remeber seeing one of you. What kind of dog are you - besides happy and loved?

Hey, Dancer, do you ever get to see the mom from your old family; she sounds like a good-hearted person?  What is your favorite thing to do for fun? 

Dancer, I already said this on the other place, but I bow in awe of you.
 
And, honest?  If I weren't such a young pup, I'd be howling after you!
 
Love, Shadow

Hi Dancer!
So, whats your favorite treat??
What do you like better, walking or swimming?
 
 

Hope.
 

Dancer was 3 when I got her.  Her history up until that point is pretty much a mystery, except for the puppies. 
I had a feeling about Dancer the first time I laid eyes on her, and when I would go to their house with my friend to visit, Dancer would crawl up in my lap and lay her head on my shoulder - I know it sounds stupid, but I always thought she picked me.
Her name was always Dancer - the woman named her that because she herself could no longer walk, thus the dog "danced" for her.  We've had other nicknames for her - Dancer L. Dog, Diesel Dancer, Dance.  But, for some reason, I didnt change it - it fits her.
The most valuable lesson I've learned from Dancer is that you can still have fun when you're old.

My favorite treats are vanilla ice cream, salmon treats, and Dunkin Donuts munchkins.
I prefer walking now, but when I was young, I used to swim a lot.
I never saw my old family again, but they did send me a postcard once - I heard they got back together and got a Poodle.  Mom says she got the better end of that bargain!
Let's see - what kind of dog am I?  Hmmm.  I guess you might say I'm dignfied in public, but I like a good roll in the manure pile at home.  Horse puckies are my favorite gross thing to eat.  I'm a happy dog, and I prefer soft things to hard floors.  I really like horses, and I'm not afraid of too many things, although I hated that vacuum cleaner until I went deaf.  I don't miss that noise.
My job used to be going out and helping with the horse chores, then I became a therapy dog - mom says that was my calling.  I did a really good job - sometimes, I still do. 
As for the new puppy, I like her.  She's appropriately deferential to me LOL.  My favorite will always be Sioux, though. She licks the tear stains off my face - I'm black and white you know, and it's not easy keeping tidy.
I posted a photo on the old idog a while back, in "photos for sharing".  Can't get it to upload here - it isn't in .jpeg.

I know it sounds stupid, but I always thought she picked me.

 
I don't think it sounds stupid at all; I am convinced Scout picked me. And I believe all of my grandparents' animals (most of them strays) chose to reveal themselves to my grandparents because they could sense something special.

That is certainly not stupid.  ALL of my dogs picked me.  Wether from a shelter or breeder...you can just tell!

Don't worry, guys, it was just a figure of speech! []
All my dogs picked me (Dancer just thinks it was some kind of doggy karma that she, and only she, has - which, in some ways is the truth).
 
 

Here's Dancer at work a few years ago. 

Aw, that's sweet! And look, there's Anne, too!![sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]
 
We just joined a club that, as part of what it does, helps people work toward getting their dog to be a visitation dog.  I'm really looking forward to that. If we can get Roscoe to stop pawing at people he just meets, I think he'd be really good at it.