Well, not so much Mr Sid, as Mr Sid’s footprints.
I didn’t set out to adopt a tripod. I just went to the kennels to look at the dogs because I was missing my beloved greyhounds so much after losing them both within weeks. I wanted to be around joyful, happy hounds, just for an hour or so. I wasn’t ready to adopt again, I thought, but I was desperate for greyhound company.
And when S opened the door and her current residents bounded forth, Sid stole my heart.
I didn’t notice that he only had three legs to start with, because he was just as fast, and just as bouncy as the others, but as he turned to go back into the house for a drink of water, I did notice (with a little shock) that he wasn’t quite complete. Of course, by then, it was too late, because his beautiful face, and the beautiful soul that shone out from his eyes, had already reached out and grabbed me. Later when OH met Sid, he said it was the same way for him, and he didn’t even want to look at any of the other dogs. Sid, he said, was the one.
And it’s funny, because he’s been with us for over six months now, and we’re so used to his bouncing hop that we often forget that he has a leg missing. There are still times when we look at him and it hits us, with that same little shock, that he only has three. There are even times when I see him get up and walk across the room and I think ‘why is my dog limping?’
I took that photo up there in the last light snowfall we had. I was bringing him home up our icing-sugared driveway when I noticed the pretty little trail he was leaving in the untouched snow.
Sid isn’t untouched. He’s had his hard knocks. But he’s still beautiful – inside and out.
For more Friday Finding Beauty posts, visit Claudia at Dipity Road.
And you dear woman are a gem for taking the tripod under your wing. He’s a lucky dog and has brought you joy. You’re good for each other. There are many ‘able bodied’ greyhounds that never see rehabilitation so Sid is one spoiled and fortunate pooch. Somewhere in his youth or childhood . . .Sid must have done something good.
Baino´s last blog ..Friday Fuckwit in Transit
very nice rescue.
It’s actually quite weird, but that’s the reason why sometimes I go “Your dog is missing a leg!”, out of the blue.
It’s quite easy to forget, with him, really.
(also, he manages to sometimes out-cute cats, that has to mean something)
sweet!
pam´s last blog ..Mosaic Monday, Blue Monday
Having loved two tripods and a blind greyhound I will be the first person to agree with you and add that there is no sweeter hound than a hound with special needs. Or so it seems, not totally able to put my finger on it, but I have been to special need hounds (of any shape or form) for quite sometime and just never can get passed their eyes…an extra bit of soulfulness in them perhaps? I don’t know, but I seem to fall for them even before I realize they are considered ‘special needs’. I *do* think it is partially because though the tag ‘special needs’ only applies to us…not them. Certainly they never feel they are ‘special needs’, this is a title we bestow on them and is only because humans are often ‘so’ special needs and feel need such care. Hounds just seem to adopt the attitude ‘Ok, this is me and I love me so let’s just get on with business as usual. Problems…me? What problem?’ It is a fine attitude as well and we humans would all be better off if we were just little more like our hounds.
Sid is a beautiful boy and I was going to say he is so lucky to have you….but I always feel, especially with my own hounds, the luck runs both ways. Jay, so glad you found each other, a wonderful hound in a wonderful home. It was meant to be.
I have to agree with all the comments above!
Both of you are winners… but US especially! Thanks for sharing this with us all and lifting our hearts.
Knowing Sid has a family like you and you have him certainly brightened my day!
Thanks for joining… hope you are having a better week.
Claudia
Claudia@DipityRoad´s last blog ..Friday~~ Finding Beauty 2/5/10
wondrous warm feeling post. I shall think about it all day
You beautiful boy !!
sandy´s last blog ..More of a Monday look don’t you think??
What a great photo and a great story of Sid’s adoption. I’m so glad the connection was immediate.
I met a Basset Hound on the street once and immediately started to fawn all over him. The Basset’s human said, ‘yeah, he gets a lot of attention because of his missing leg.’ I was astounded – I hadn’t even noticed he was missing a leg. He just looked at me with THOSE EYES and sucked me right in.
Tuli´s last blog ..Nothin’ doin’
OH MY…OH MY! Was just reading back a few posts, have had a few issues myself lately and haven’t been able to keep up with my blog, as well as reading some of my favorites. The events of last week were very disturbing.
I feel so bad for you. I *do* hope things are going better and you are starting to get it all sorted out. Very scary to be sure. Lots of hugs….tons of them. I hope you will let us know how it is going and how you are doing.
What a sweet story and a great photo too. How are you doing?
Colleen´s last blog ..You Capture: Frosty Faces
A lovely, lovely and very sweet photo!
What’s been bothering me somewhat is the following: if your dog is called Sid, what does he do when you call him to come to you?
carolina´s last blog ..Who knows
I think Sid was the perfect dog for you!!! All your greys have been perfect!
Kate´s last blog ..Electric Shocks!!!
Aw. you made me a little teary eyed!
meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Stepping Up To The Plate – And, Wherein I Am Awesome
Hello sweet friend…
Thank you for stopping by my blog and saying hello.
I love this picture. It reminds us that none of us are perfect in this world, but we all have a heart that one can touch, and that can touch us. Thank you so much for finding Sid, opening your heart and allowing him to love you, and for you all to love him. He will be so happy with you. It takes a special family to overlook critters’ shortcomings. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, truly.
I will add you to my list of prayers for good to come to you soon with this condition, and the dr.s can figure out how to make you better again. There is an answer, they just have to find it.
God Bless you sweet friend. Stop back by anytime. I love visitors. Keep me posted on Sid.
Country hugs…Sherry
Sherry´s last blog ..Friday Finding Beauty With Ms Claudia…
Baino – You are very sweet and kind! Thank you for those kind words. But you know, I’m as lucky as the beautiful Sid is! He healed my broken heart for me, and continues to bring joy, every day.
He is spoiled though. You got that right!
Teresa – I know! I recognise the surprise in your voice when you say it! You sound just like I feel, when I say it to myself. LOL!
And of course he out-cutes the cats! It’s what greyhounds do!
Denise and Pam – Thank you!
Sistertex – Oh, how right you are! They just get along and make the best of things, don’t they? But they do seem to have a special sweetness often. And right again, when you say the luck runs both ways. Sid is such a sweetheart! And our first dog Jim (abused) and little Jack (such a spook!) were both the same. Such sweet natures, so willing to trust and love.
Thanks for being worried about me! Yes, it was quite terrifying and still is scary .. I didn’t panic at the time, only because I couldn’t remember what was going on long enough! LOL! But it makes you realise how fragile life, sanity and health are. And I’m grateful to be making a recovery. It has given me a whole new appreciation for the plight of Alzheimer’s victims and those with serious memory problems. I will let you know what the neuro says.
Claudia – Thank you – I’m improving still. I don’t feel quite so fragile anymore!
Sandy – Thanks – yes he is!
Tuli – Haha! Yes, it can be like that. I will do the same when people stop to pet Sid. I like to make them aware, in case they accidentally push him off-balance, and they’ll often say they hadn’t noticed! Sid is shameless when it comes to getting petted, bless him. He’ll go up to anyone, always hopeful.
Colleen – Thank you! I’m doing OK – still a bit fuzzy and my memory isn’t back up to what it was before yet, but I’m hopeful that it will be. Thanks for asking.
Carolina – I think I’m missing something here. You’re going to have to explain – my brain is still in a low gear, I think!
Kate – Thanks! I think so too. All our greys have been perfect? Well, most of them are, if you give them a chance!
Meleah – Aw…! You are sweet!
Sherrie – Thank you for your kind words and prayers!
Sid was easy to open our hearts to. But you’re right. So many (imperfect) people want a perfect dog. And one problem I have with that is that they don’t take the trouble to understand that dog and train him properly, so, though the dog may be outwardly perfect, he ends up not perfect after all … and the people will blame him. So sad.
We should all look inside ourselves for the answers to problems with our pets. It can be enlightening! As you say, none of us are perfect, and yet we are still lovable, especially to our dogs. We should extend the same courtesy to them.
Hi Jay!
First off, thank you for stopping by for a visit at my blog. Second, It’s nice to meet you! And Third, Oh My! What a wonderful post! I love to see this “meant to be” friendship that you and Sid instantly had. And the fact that he touched your heart and became part of your family is so wonderful!!
This post made my day! I hope you ….and Sid have a terrific weekend!!
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove´s last blog ..Beautiful Show and Tell Friday
What a lovely, and unique photograph of the footprints of a lovely and unique dog
babs – beetle´s last blog ..Oh Babs! where are you?
My mother has a 3-legged dog named Jill. Like, Sid, she keeps up with the others and seems completely unaware of the missing limb. We could learn a lot from dogs.
secret agent woman´s last blog .."So take the photographs and still frames in your mind."
And how beautiful you both are, inside and out, Jay.
It was simply meant to be. I believe that with all my heart.
Great photo!
Maureen´s last blog ..Olympic Dreams
That photo is priceless, I hadn’t thought of the trail Mr. Sid might leave in the snow, but there is no mistaking that OF COURSE the pawprint trail would be unique to him – it’s just, well, I guess it comes as a shock to see, because you now see him as whole, perfect, complete little lad. It’s these unexpected reminders that pull you up short, eh?
Lovely post.
Shrinky´s last blog ..Negotiations
A marriage made in heaven
ann´s last blog ..HOPE FOR THE WORLD
Ah, I’ve been catching up and know why your brain is in low-gear. Quite scary.
See, when we want the dogs to stay put, we say SIT, at which point they usually obey and sit down. And I really like the name Sid, but it wouldn’t be a practical name for a dog of ours. It would be very confused. Sid come here! or Sid retrieve (we use the word aport, is that an English term too?)! Imagine the puzzled looks on it’s face. “What dóes she want from me? Sit or aport?”
The idea gave me a couple of tiny little giggles
Just silly. Sorry 
carolina´s last blog ..Who knows
Mr. Sid is the winner in my book for Beauty. You are so blessed to have found each other. Some things are just meant to be. Just weeks after our precious Lilly died – I found my new girl quite by accident and what drew me to the ad for a 2 1/2 year old sheltie? The name – Lilly. It’s amazing how they adjust to events in their life – like having only three legs. He’s a charmer!
Nancy
Nancy´s last blog ..Pink Saturday
Absolutely heartwarming, Jay! I never knew how you and Sid had met. And the immediate connection made between the two of you had been sealed at first sight! Lovely!
)
petra michelle´s last blog ..Interested in TimeWarping? Many are going back into the past, dressing up the part, and living in it.
Lovely story Sid is so lucky to have you …and you him!
Looking at the post before this one and this post, really makes me want to get a greyhound.
Heather P.´s last blog ..I CAN NOT MAKE THIS CRAP UP!!
Sid is beautiful, as is the photograph and this post.
Ruth Hull Chatlien´s last blog ..The News from My House
I love it when you write about Sid – your whole heart shows through the page and the photos and Sid’s love for you shows clearly on his eyes.
Is this a coincidence or what – we were watching an episode of House this week, and the 15 year-old super model Dr. House was treating had, among other symptoms, transient global amnesia! I looked at Fred and said, “That’s what Jay’s got!” And she was acting exactly as you’d described it – repeating the same thing over and over.
Sending continued well wishes your way, dear Jay.
ethelmaepotter´s last blog ..What a Week It Was!
I love that photo along with that story. It is so nice to hear that love is blind. What difference does it make how many legs anyway? Your post before cracked me up. I never knew the word roaching. My dog does it all the time. He is an English Setter though. He also plays with his toys like that. no chewing them, just mouthing and throwing them in the air. I didn’t know about yello being easier to see, that could explain why his yellow giraffe is his favorite. He also has become afraid of floors in his golden years, especially lately. When I read that, I thought wow someone else with dog psychological issues. How have you dealt with that? He cries and won’t walk across a room. stands there barking until you walk him across the hard wood. I keep his nails short and I have carpeted as much as I can stand but still he is so nerved up all the time. any suggestions?
Diann – Oh, how kind you are. Thank you! I’m glad you liked it.
Babs – Thanks! He is.
Secret Agent Woman – We can indeed. They are so accepting of things we fret so much about. I think it’s very important – for that reason – for children to be around animals as much as possible. They teach them about death, too, in a way which is easier to accept that when it is a person.
Maureen – Thank you – I think so too!
Shrinky – Thanks! Exactly so!
Ann – Thanks!
Carolina – Aaah .. I see! LOL! Well, I make a point of giving Sid a visual cue when I want him to sit, as well as saying the word. Or I tell him ‘sitdown’ as one word. He knows both!
Not silly at all – it was a very good thought!
Nancy – We are indeed blessed! And I love your story, too. Sometimes it happens like that, you see a name and you have to investigate. Our old Jack was a little like that. He was only a name to us, and we knew he was a senior .. . so we travelled two and a half hours to see him!
Petra – He’s the only one of our dogs to make such an instant connection, but make it he did! And S wasn’t actively trying to rehome him, she’d decided he’d probably stay with her .. but she saw it too, and let us have him.
Heather – Go for it! They make such wonderful companions!
Pat and Ruth – Thanks!
Ethel Mae Potter – Oh, how funny! We were just talking about it possibly being a good one for Dr House, since it’s so obscure and not well known, and has bizarre symptoms! LOL!
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, Sid and I love each other, that’s for sure!
Teresa G with S – English Setters are my favourites of all the setters – a totally different type of dog to a greyhound though, except the general shape. I think tall, narrow dogs are often fearful of slippery floors, especially when they get older and stiffer and their balance is less good. I’ve tried paw wax, but it wears off far too quickly to do any good. Some people keep grippy boots on their dogs while they’re indoors, but I’m not sure I like to cover their feet (the only part they sweat through), so to be honest, the best solution for us has been to use rubber backed mats everywhere, which are easily picked up for cleaning. Sid gets about using those throughout most of the ground floor. He’ll occasionally venture onto the tile if he’s motivated enough, but I’m guessing as he ages, that will stop. You could also try giving your dog glucosamine/chondroitin supplements to keep his joints supple – the ones with zinc, magnesium and/or MSM are the best. I use Cosequin. Hope that helps!
beautiful beautiful Sid.
liz´s last blog ..My 2,999th post