A Story of a Hero, "Big-Dog"
Aprox 14 years ago I once stopped at the pound. I immediately fell in love with this humongous shaggy haired dog. He was an OES that almost seemed to have two heads as the matting was sooooo bad. Poor ole guy. I wasn't looking for another dog at the time..and worse the pound people told me he was to be put down that day if no one took him. I showed up at 3 mins to closing time and adopted "Big Dog". (he was given another name but the name "Big Dog" stuck. Big Dog had been kept in what appeared to be a cage all his life. He was terrified of the outdoors and would cower under my kitchen table.He was afraid of everything! His manners were atrocious and anything left on the kitchen table such as a pie would be inhaled in seconds. Still I loved him even tho he appeared to not have a brain in his head. My female OES weighed 1/2 his size and was the smarter more dominant one. Here's our story. I loved taking my dogs to the woods and letting them run free. Big dog as usual, tongue hanging out looking goofy as always, and as usual had trouble listening to instructions.That particular day I took along my son who was just over 2and 1/2 years old. In one of my walks I had noticed a little pond full of salmon and wanted to show him. It was the first time I had brought him. As usual I let the dogs off leash and they went bounding ahead of us to do some exploring of their own. My son and I went off the path to the edge of the stream looking at the fish. Out of nowhere two men appeared out of the bush, it seemed they had been camping there. The saw us and started to whisper and quickened their pace towards us. I can't describe the feeling but I just KNEW that we were in trouble..it's that feeling that one gets when they know beyond doubt that something is wrong. I grabbed my little boys hand and was preparing to run. When they were just a few feet away from us. they blocked the way back to the main trail .Suddenly there was a loud crashing in the bushes. We all turned to see "Big Dog" leaping in the air..landing in front of me, Shaggy following. Big Dog stood protectively in front of me, head erect, walking almost slow motion...he barred his teeth.Shaggy stood in front of my little boy. The men backed up...made a huge circle around us and ran away. No words at all were spoken by anyone. Soon as they left..Big dog's tongue hung out, he resumed his shuffling gait..and appeared to turn back into the goofy dog he always was. |
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Hooray for Big Dog - superb. Loved it!  |
| You go Big Dog!
I Didn't know that this breed was so protective until 2 weeks ago when we went picknicking with some friends. My wife is always pampering and playing with Lennon, bus she's afraid of dogs  (Go figure!) So when our friend's boxer approached to her from behind to join the fun she got scared, and that's when Lennon changed from his goofy self to a very mean puppy, and even he's only months old he looked and sounded very mean...  fortunately no dog was harmed as the boxer backed up and I took Lennon for walk to calm him down... Imagine now if someone tries to do real harm to her...
Aren't this goofy guys cool? |
| Bunkie is the biggest Chicken, If someone broken in she would lick them to death. Went she hears a sound, she waits until I go and check it out while she tries to hide under the bed. |
| Wonderful Story. I have always felt the OES is an extremely intelligent creature, has a mind of its own, not easily controlled by humans, but will do what it knows needs to be done when the time is right. |
| Thanks everyone for the feedback.
I agree these are lovable goofy dogs and I think in times of real trouble they would inately sense when "a member of their pack" was in need of help. In the wild it's common for members of the wolf pack to protect and assist each other. Although, I am still at a loss how to explain how "Big Dog" knew I needed help as I didn't call out. So, there must be something about a dog's sense that enables them to "tune in" to their owners moods...least that's what I think happened that day. What a wonderful breed this is!!  |
| I Agree, these nice dogs have a mind of their own and most of the time they do as they want, very smart guys they are.
I was reading that since they have very keen senses, they are able to pick up clues of their environment that we just don't detect, like when we are tying our shoelaces or putting on make up, they already know we are getting ready to go out and get all exited to see if they can tag along. Maybe they pick the clues in our body language that we are afraid of something and they come ready to rescue us. When we go out for a walk and Lennon runs loose, he's always got an eye on me and my wife, and if she goes out from his sight, he runs to find her again. |
| Hi Marianne,
I just came across this story that I know I have read before, but I don't know why I never replied. I love reading this post about Big Dog, he sounded wonderful. You were lucky to have him and he was lucky to have you. Stormi and co. |
| What a great story! I hadn't read it since I'm newer. Way to go Big Dog!!
They are such smart animals. My hubby had a similar story. His sheepie Buddy was a goofy, independent, friendly guy who liked to wander around the neighborhood, but always came home. Anyway, Buddy had been living with my hubby's Mom (since his dad passed away). Someone broke into the garage and stole her lawnmower. Some neighbors saw the guy who lived a few blocks away. She called the police and told them. For some reason the guy came to the house (to plead innocence or promise to return the property). Well Buddy sensed something and jumped on the guy and pinned him against the porch post, growling. She had to pull him off the guy. The guy wasn't dangerous, but Buddy just knew not to trust him. Buddy had never really growled or acted aggressive before. They seem to be wonderful protectors, even if they seem like they would lick everyone to death.
Thanks for the story! |
| I loved the story of Big Dog!. I have a short story about Tyler, not as exciting but sweet.
One sunny day I was gardening in the front yard and Tyler was a sleep or so I thought on the front step. I was busy pulling weeds or planting something when out of the corner of my eye I saw this white and grey flash. It appears that a neighbor was jogging along in front of our house in the street mind you and Tyler perceved it as a threat and put himself between the man and me. The guy stopped dead in his tracks and I called to Tyler to tell him it was okay. Tyler backed off and came back to me. The funny part is that after that episode, that jogger always walked when he came to our house, after he passed he would resume jogging. They may look like a big fluff ball, but let me tell you, I would not want to be on the receiving end of those teeth. When they love you as their pack, I doubt they would let anything harm you or yours. Have you ever noticed that when you go out as a family with a sheepie, and lets say one person runs to the restroom leaving the rest of the "pack", your sheepie is on the look out for that person to return. We noticed that with Tyler from the very begining. |
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