If You Love dogs......
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justsomeguy!
Super Anarchist
Yes, dalmatians do.
Point Break
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Interesting history for Dalmatians as “Fire Dogs”. Short version is since they had a history of being great carriage dogs compatible with horses including running in front of and alongside a carriage “clearing the way” they were adopted by horse drawn fire companies. Abbreviated version but that’s the general summary.
130lights
Super Anarchist
In the early days of brewing, Dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries. The dogs were swift enough to keep up with the wagons, and their light colored bodies and distinctive marking made them easy to see during twilight hours.
Now, deliveries are seldom done from that wagon. There were a number of celebrations going on here, thus the reason for the deliveries.
These animals live a life like royalty and are treated extremely well. It was low 60s here yesterday, perfect weather for Michigan. No overheating or freezing for them.
chester
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relentless
Steam Flyer
Sophisticated Yet Humble
I had an uncle who went from being a NYC lawyer to Vermont, where he bought a small horse farm so he could work on his polo game. Next door neighbor bred Clydesdales. Awesome horses, seemed to have nice personalities too.
d'ranger
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Many years ago a Dalmation followed me home from the local park. Dirty, covered in fleas and breath stunk it up. I took her to my vet, rib bone stuck in her mouth, cured heartworms, deflea, and she was the sweetest most loyal companion ever. Sat in her seat, followed me everywhere at work or on walks/bike rides. Loved everyone and if given the chance would grab food and hide anywhere she could.
One Sunday morning we walked the mile or so to the store to get a paper (yeah, was in the 90s) and as we were leaving a woman drove up and exclaimed that was her dog. After a few exchanges I decided not engaging this woman who likely just came from church so I and Annie left while she was screaming that man stole my dog!. Before I got home she drove up with 2 cop cars still screaming. I calmly explained how Annie had followed me home, the medical issues etc. One cop explained she could take me to court and get her back (while paying me for all the vet bills). I unleased Annie, raised my hands in the air and said we're leaving and Annie followed me home. The woman did call once and threaten me and I said bring it bitch. (She lived very close to the park and would be gone leaving Annie to fend for herself). When Annie was 15 or 16 our walks became shorter until early one morning I woke up and she was starting at me so I asked if she wanted to go in the back yard, she did, looked around for a few minutes, laid in my lap and that was goodbye. Best companion ever.
edit: So this made me tear up but reminded of something cute: Annie followed me everywhere, we had 2 buildings and she was always curious but making sure she didn't lose me. On the times I had to leave but couldn't take her she would lay where she could see the front door. When I returned with product/packages/equipment I would come in the rear and see her watching the front door. It usually took several calls/whistles until she got up so puzzled thinking how the f.. did he do that? Best thing about a dog is gone 5 minutes, hours or days the excitement on returning is the same.
One Sunday morning we walked the mile or so to the store to get a paper (yeah, was in the 90s) and as we were leaving a woman drove up and exclaimed that was her dog. After a few exchanges I decided not engaging this woman who likely just came from church so I and Annie left while she was screaming that man stole my dog!. Before I got home she drove up with 2 cop cars still screaming. I calmly explained how Annie had followed me home, the medical issues etc. One cop explained she could take me to court and get her back (while paying me for all the vet bills). I unleased Annie, raised my hands in the air and said we're leaving and Annie followed me home. The woman did call once and threaten me and I said bring it bitch. (She lived very close to the park and would be gone leaving Annie to fend for herself). When Annie was 15 or 16 our walks became shorter until early one morning I woke up and she was starting at me so I asked if she wanted to go in the back yard, she did, looked around for a few minutes, laid in my lap and that was goodbye. Best companion ever.
edit: So this made me tear up but reminded of something cute: Annie followed me everywhere, we had 2 buildings and she was always curious but making sure she didn't lose me. On the times I had to leave but couldn't take her she would lay where she could see the front door. When I returned with product/packages/equipment I would come in the rear and see her watching the front door. It usually took several calls/whistles until she got up so puzzled thinking how the f.. did he do that? Best thing about a dog is gone 5 minutes, hours or days the excitement on returning is the same.
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130lights
Super Anarchist
Very friendly horses. I’m going to the stable tomorrow to visit them one more time before they leave. They’re taking the ferry across Lake Michigan Monday.
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Point Break
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Long after horse drawn engines (a era that still fascinates me) left the profession, Dalmatians endured as tradition. Having them around the firehouse was considered good luck and they were pretty adept at protecting the firehouse when the companies were out of quarters and a hit with the kids at station tours. As time went by the risk managers who never liked the idea were successful at eliminating the dogs because of risk of lability for dog bites, which although rare did happen. We had one station that had one when I first started but that went by the wayside. Also had one or two stations with station cats that are almost always adopted strays or rescued from some fire and no longer wanted. So today although there are some departments that still embrace the tradition (mostly volunteer departments without "risk managers") it is sadly a vestige of a bygone era.
Charlie Foxtrot
Super Anarchist
Going to have to disagree, Dals are actually fairly intelligent. However, the aforementioned predisposition to hearing loss, and a wee bit of innate stubbornness, caused their undeserved reputation.
Charlie Foxtrot
Super Anarchist
Thank you.
d'ranger
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Now thinking about Dalmatians, some years before Annie my dad retired and decided he wanted a dog. Someone had Dalmatian puppies and they offered one for free with the warning it was likely deaf - story is lack of spots on their head is a sign. Yep, stone deaf. Great dog, very lively and friendly and easily trained, his name was Prince and that's what he thought of himself. Only thing: he was a houdini in blasting thru the gate when you weren't looking and then it was game on. He wouldn't run off, just all over the neighbors yards having a great time. Obviously calling him didn't work and he would let me get close enough to touch him before bounding off again. Kind of like those greased pig events at the rodeo and it ended when he was ready to go back. He had a huge yard, well over 1/2 acre so was just the fun of me trying to catch him. My dad enjoyed watching me as much as Prince did evading me and that was when I was in great shape and a runner. When I die I want to go where the dogs go.
130lights
Super Anarchist
This
woodtick
Member
I did that with my dad just recently, and am grateful for that. We have a newesh law here that allows people to make these Dr. Assisted end of life requests possible. My dad was ready, the hospital staff was so much help I find it hard to describe. I have my vet make a house call, its almost harder, i knew for certain this was what my dad wanted, dogs tho...? They do, I think.
woodtick
Member
The tiny brains belong to some people that take them home without knowing their requirements.
Charlie Foxtrot
Super Anarchist
Arrrgghh; the Chase Me-Chase Me game. Couple of weeks ago, my Dal blasted out an open gate (my blonde) and it was Game On! She zoomed around my front yard, letting me get within a couple of feet many times before jetting off in another direction. I was summoning my inner Cruella deVille, when she spotted my neighbor across the street tending his new lawn, and loped over to say hi and piss him off. She ran a few circles around him while he watched, bemused. Then she squatted to pee on the new lawn right in front of my now not quite so bemused neighbor.
By that time I had arrived to resume my part in the farce. She ran all over the neighbor's yard with me in trail, while the neighbor shouted orders. The thrice-damned Dal got into their garage, then into the unfenced backyard, where she woke the neighbor's GSD inside the house for more fun. She returned to the front yard, where she took a huge doukkie, dead center of the picture window, now filled with a German Shep in full melt-down.
After that masterful ne plus ultra, she ran around a bit more with her tongue hanging out, until she allowed me to grab her collar. I dragged her home, mentally cataloging all the Chinese restaurants nearby.
Dawgs. She's lucky that she's really, really cute.
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