My Bodyguard

Five or so years ago I was driving home after taking my daughter to the airport. (She was on her way to China to teach conversational English to little Chinese children. Oh boy howdy is that a post all unto itself but this is Jude's story so back to him.) My phone rang as I cruised north on I-26 feeling sorry for myself and already missing Sarah. It was a friend saying he had found a starving dog tied to a signpost and wanted to know if I could help him get the dog into a rescue facility. I said I'd give it a go and called a friend who does foster work for the Pyr rescue folks in this area. I learned that the woman who does most of the rescue work and also funds a major portion of it was having some personal problems so unless this was a purebred Great Pyranees she asked that I find someone else to take the dog. OK, no problem. I would identify the dog and we'd go from there.

Everything was going well until I stopped by my friend's house and saw that poor, starved dog. His coat, what was left of it, was matted and looked as if someone had soaked him in burnt motor oil. His skin was red and irritated. He was so thin I could put my hands around his belly. The tip of his tail, his ears and all four feet were turning blue from lack of circulation. I sat down in the grass and started to cry. Just looking at him broke my heart. He was definitely a purebred Pyranees but I knew that the woman who ran the rescue couldn't afford the vet care this dog would require. I told John I would be back the following morning to pick up the dog.

I brought the dog home and called him Jude. As in 'then you can start to make it better' Jude. Believe me, there was no place to go but up. I couldn't afford to take him to a vet either but I have a pretty good record of bringing rescues back to health. I also have my large animal vet that I can call and who will give me help and support without charging me a fortune like some small animal vets will do. Since I do most of my own vet work with the goats, I figured I would do my best to save this dog. He seemed like such a nice guy. I clipped him, treated his skin and put him in a stall so he wouldn't be sunburned. I started feeding him slowly on yogurt and fresh (straight out of the goat) warm milk. Once in a while I would give him a fresh, just laid egg. I've heard all the stories about how this diet isn't good for dogs but I'll have to differ with that report. I slowly added dog food to the mix and fed him four meals a day. That went down to three and eventually to two meals a day. He started to fatten up and his coat grew in snowy white and beautiful. Within three months he couldn't be recognized as the same dog. The day I only fed him once he looked at me as if to ask why I didn't love him anymore. By that time he was gaining weight so fast I was worried he'd become too fat. It was a far cry from what he had been only a few months before.

Jude is the neighborhood guardian. He is large and intimidating but his nature is gentle and caring even though he can be vicious when he needs to be. He chases away dogs who threaten the peace and he goes to the neighbor's house when their children are outside playing. He hides under a bush watching, prepared to jump into action should they need him. My neighbor is afraid of Jude but he says he loves knowing Jude is there because his children are safe with him around. He guards the goats and the chickens. He lets me know when someone comes up the driveway and he doesn't let them out of the vehicle until I say they can get out. When I am home alone Jude sleeps on the porch in front of the door. I am never afraid because I know that as long as I have Jude I am never alone. He is my protector and my friend. I feed him many Milk Bones every day and tell him I love him every chance I get.

Every now and again fate brings an animal to me that fits so well into my life that I sometimes wonder how I made it without them. There have been several to fit that bill and Jude is definitely one of them. He has been a blessing and I will always be grateful for his friendship and his love.