Kathi_S
Member
We adopted Okie about 7-1/2 years ago. I had been searching for the perfect dog for a while. Jack, my husband, had three non-negotiable requirements for getting a dog:
He stunk, but he was so happy. He was in a cage with a beautiful blue-eyed beagle that was getting all the attention, but my eyes were only for this happy other guy! They were calling him Liam, but he did not respond to the name. I spent some time with him in an outdoor enclosure, off leash. Every time another dog went by, "Liam" would run over to greet them, then run back to me, wagging his tail. I called Jack, to tell him that I found the "one". Jack cannot drive, due to vision impairments, so I convinced him to let me come pick him up to bring him back to the shelter to consider the dog.
Jack was not excited about the dog. He met none of his requirements! Jack saw that I was already hopelessly attached and said we could adopt him on the following condions:
We adopted Okie in Boulder, Colorado on the day after he arrived. He was in a shelter in Oklahoma for two months after he was picked up on the streets where he had been shot with a pellet gun. Nothing more is known about his background.
We know that he has a lot of fears. He is afraid of our kitchen, lower level bathroom, air vents, wagon, thunder, robotic vacuum, driving, and so many other things.
Jack, although not enthusiastic about getting Okie, fell in love with him as quickly as I did. The first thing we did was take Okie to get a bath, then for a complete check-up. We found out that his age was questionable because of his teeth. He needed dental surgery because of retained baby teeth and tartar buildup.
Through all of this, noone had any idea what breed of dog Okie was. Everyone we asked had a different guess. Oklahoma had him listed as a Sheltie mix, Boulder had him listed as a Cocker Spaniel mix, the vet thought maybe mini Aussie Shepard mix, and I've always said 100% mutt.
Everywhere we go, people always ask about what breed he is, and talk about how adorable he is (he really is). No matter how old he gets, he is always going to have that puppy look. He's at least 9 years old now and people still think he's a puppy!
We finally has his DNA tested last summer. We found out that he has 11 different breeds. The greatest percentage of any breed is only 20%, no wonder noone can figure out what he is. Here is his breakdown:
20% Longhair Chihuahua (we did not see that coming)!
16% Rat Terrier (another big surprise)
15% Mini Schnauzer (could have knocked me over with that one)!
14% Australian Cattle Dog
14% Golden Retriever
8% Border Collie
6% Australian Koolie
4% McNab
1% Pomeranian
1% Bull Mastiff (chuckle)
1% Estrella Mountain Dog
One of Okie's favorite things to do is to put on the Okie Show. He is the best ball catching dog ever! I'm gonna have to find a video to post to show off my Okie's very special talent!
Back to Jack's conditions, the crate rule lasted maybe two days, as soon as Jack heard Okie whining, the crate went away. I walked the dog for a long time.
The furniture rule lasted until my daughter's dog came over and jumped on the couch, fair is fair! We put a dog blanket on the couch and now Jack encourages Okie to get up next to him! The bed was next! Okie sleeps right next to me every night, he literally slams himself up against me every night and is right there by my side every morning! Okie escorts me to the bathroom every morning and sits by my side while I pee! When I get back in bed, he gets back in and snuggles back up against me!
As for me doing all the walking, Jack took over that a while back when my fibromyalgia got really bad at one point. Then when I broke my toe, and had to have a pin put in my toe, followed by Covid, multiple foot surgeries, bladder surgery and just basically a really bad year, I was unable to walk Okie myself. Now I am sometimes walking with them in the morning, which Okie is loving!
Anyway, I'm sorry I'm going on and on. It's obvious I love this dog very much. He is my very first dog. We share a very special bond which will never be broken.
The very best thing about animals is that they love unconditionally. When I had nightmares last night, I woke up to Okie licking my face. I don't need to ask, he just knows when I need him. I hope he knows I'll always be there for him too!
Here are a few pictures of my best buddy!
- It must be female.
- She must be low energy.
- She must have short hair.
He stunk, but he was so happy. He was in a cage with a beautiful blue-eyed beagle that was getting all the attention, but my eyes were only for this happy other guy! They were calling him Liam, but he did not respond to the name. I spent some time with him in an outdoor enclosure, off leash. Every time another dog went by, "Liam" would run over to greet them, then run back to me, wagging his tail. I called Jack, to tell him that I found the "one". Jack cannot drive, due to vision impairments, so I convinced him to let me come pick him up to bring him back to the shelter to consider the dog.
Jack was not excited about the dog. He met none of his requirements! Jack saw that I was already hopelessly attached and said we could adopt him on the following condions:
- We name him Okie (because he came from Oklahoma)
- He wouldn't be allowed on the furniture
- He would sleep in a crate
- I would do all the walking
We adopted Okie in Boulder, Colorado on the day after he arrived. He was in a shelter in Oklahoma for two months after he was picked up on the streets where he had been shot with a pellet gun. Nothing more is known about his background.
We know that he has a lot of fears. He is afraid of our kitchen, lower level bathroom, air vents, wagon, thunder, robotic vacuum, driving, and so many other things.
Jack, although not enthusiastic about getting Okie, fell in love with him as quickly as I did. The first thing we did was take Okie to get a bath, then for a complete check-up. We found out that his age was questionable because of his teeth. He needed dental surgery because of retained baby teeth and tartar buildup.
Through all of this, noone had any idea what breed of dog Okie was. Everyone we asked had a different guess. Oklahoma had him listed as a Sheltie mix, Boulder had him listed as a Cocker Spaniel mix, the vet thought maybe mini Aussie Shepard mix, and I've always said 100% mutt.
Everywhere we go, people always ask about what breed he is, and talk about how adorable he is (he really is). No matter how old he gets, he is always going to have that puppy look. He's at least 9 years old now and people still think he's a puppy!
We finally has his DNA tested last summer. We found out that he has 11 different breeds. The greatest percentage of any breed is only 20%, no wonder noone can figure out what he is. Here is his breakdown:
20% Longhair Chihuahua (we did not see that coming)!
16% Rat Terrier (another big surprise)
15% Mini Schnauzer (could have knocked me over with that one)!
14% Australian Cattle Dog
14% Golden Retriever
8% Border Collie
6% Australian Koolie
4% McNab
1% Pomeranian
1% Bull Mastiff (chuckle)
1% Estrella Mountain Dog
One of Okie's favorite things to do is to put on the Okie Show. He is the best ball catching dog ever! I'm gonna have to find a video to post to show off my Okie's very special talent!
Back to Jack's conditions, the crate rule lasted maybe two days, as soon as Jack heard Okie whining, the crate went away. I walked the dog for a long time.
The furniture rule lasted until my daughter's dog came over and jumped on the couch, fair is fair! We put a dog blanket on the couch and now Jack encourages Okie to get up next to him! The bed was next! Okie sleeps right next to me every night, he literally slams himself up against me every night and is right there by my side every morning! Okie escorts me to the bathroom every morning and sits by my side while I pee! When I get back in bed, he gets back in and snuggles back up against me!
As for me doing all the walking, Jack took over that a while back when my fibromyalgia got really bad at one point. Then when I broke my toe, and had to have a pin put in my toe, followed by Covid, multiple foot surgeries, bladder surgery and just basically a really bad year, I was unable to walk Okie myself. Now I am sometimes walking with them in the morning, which Okie is loving!
Anyway, I'm sorry I'm going on and on. It's obvious I love this dog very much. He is my very first dog. We share a very special bond which will never be broken.
The very best thing about animals is that they love unconditionally. When I had nightmares last night, I woke up to Okie licking my face. I don't need to ask, he just knows when I need him. I hope he knows I'll always be there for him too!
Here are a few pictures of my best buddy!
