And the story goes on…

 

(And on - read about Tiny)

 

UPDATE, 24 July 2007:  The story, as far as Clayton and Junior are concerned, is now ended.  For more information, see their page in the In Memoriam section.

 

 

NOTE:  I was going to re-write this whole thing from scratch, but then I thought about it for a moment, and realized:  I had already written this tale in email form – why reinvent the wheel?  Some of you who read this may have already received the emails I sent out – you can just skip to the pictures if you want…

 

For those of you who have not read the story leading up to this one, I suggest you read the In Memoriam page, especially Rion's story before this one; otherwise, parts of this story make little or no sense...  This page picks up with what happened within a few days of Rion's death, and describes an amazing sequence of events that helped save my sanity (what little sanity I ever had) when I needed a miracle.

 

In the process of touching base with several of our “old” Mastiff friends (don’t get bent out of shape, guys and girls, I’m not calling anybody “old…”), we asked around about possible rescue situations we might be able to help with.  Several of these folks looked around, checking what leads they could find, and we got a couple of possibilities, but nothing panned out – until Friday.

 

On that day, Tina faxed a filled-out application to one of our best friends, who happens to be heavily involved in Mastiff Rescue here in Texas.  She gave us some information which we then followed up on Saturday, and it was absolutely amazing!  It turns out there was a pair of Mastiffs being fostered in the Houston area, and these boys were a special case.  They have been together for almost four years, and are very closely bonded to each other.  Their owner, who had been forced to place them because she is now living in the Netherlands, wanted them to stay together if at all possible and to go to the best possible home.  These were not rejected puppies, or basket cases, or rescued from abusive homes – they were beloved family members who had been torn away by circumstance.  They are healthy, well-adjusted, happy dogs.

 

Clayton, relaxing around the house - glad to be an indoor dog again!

Junior and Wes, exchanging a hug - instant therapy

 

 

Lest anyone think it's all work and no play around here, we have quite a few moments of silliness and laughter, too:

 

Junior:  The embodiment of dignity

Clayton and Junior:  Two adult male Mastiffs sharing one crate - and nobody is complaining!  (Note:  This was their idea - notice the open crate door; they just went in and laid down...)

 

And, most astonishing of all, one of them is Rion’s SON!  Those of you who know me best know how Rion’s death tore my heart in half; coming unexpectedly as it did, the shock on top of the grief was almost unbearable.  I still can’t believe he’s gone…  However, the photos I saw showed a clear resemblance to Rion, and the description I got matched his character, too.  I was there when Junior was bred;  I was there when he was born; I was there when he was bottle-fed many a time (he was one of 11 puppies, and his dam did her best, but she needed some help…)  I lost contact with those puppies as they were sold, and had not heard from any of them in about 6 years.  Now, all of a sudden, it looked like we might be able to bring one of those precious pups home!

 

To make a long story short, we went to Houston today (Monday, March 15) and picked up our “new” Mastiffs, Junior and Clayton.  Junior is very much Rion’s son, but there is enough difference in his personality that there will be no confusion.  When we met, the first thing he did after sniffing my hand was to swing his butt around and whack me in the thigh with it – Rion’s patented “Pet me, you fool!” gesture.  We have hit it off from the start, and Tina and Clayton have also begun a special bond – you can see it already.  So many things came together in such an unbelievably quick time, we still wonder if it isn’t all a dream.  To top it off, as we came home from Houston, God gave us sunburst after sunburst – at least six of them, as the clouds passed in front of the sun.  A couple of them went from one horizon to the other, in dazzling displays of heavenly beauty.  I know I’m using melodramatic language, but if you had been there to see it, you would understand…

 

I know it’s not all wine and song – there are many adjustments to be made, and the boys have much to learn.  Things could still go wrong in a hundred ways, but with so many good things happening so quickly, I have faith that all will be well.  We still mourn the loss of our dear friends and family members, but the pain is so much less…  Those of you who have expressed understanding and support for us, join us in our moment of joy, and pray with us that it lasts many years to come.

 

This story is so amazing, and so opposite from what we have been through, it will become a part of the website I started – check it again in a week or two, and it will be there, along with better pictures and more substantial experience.  (NOTE:  I just took a typing break and played with the boys for a bit – the similarities between Rion and Junior are truly astonishing…)

 

After our first day together, I sat down Tuesday evening (March 16) and typed up the following report.  Most everything I reported after 24 hours is still the same.  The boys are fitting right into the family, and we are still tickled pink to have them with us – I think I’m still in shock.

 

Greetings to all!  This is a report on the first 24 hours we have had with our new family members, Junior (Rion’s son – I *still* can’t believe my luck, and God’s generosity, in finding such a blessing in having him with us!) and Clayton.  The family is adjusting to their presence fairly well, with the exception of the over-exuberance Clayton shows – he has to learn about the little ones.  Our son Joshua (4.5 years old, and usually very reserved about Mastiffs) said this morning that the boys are “precious.”  His word, not mine!  Junior’s coming into our lives has done more to heal my heart than I ever hoped, and I thank God for the blessing He has bestowed.  Nothing else could have caused so many wonderful things to happen in so short a time!

 

The boys have done well today.  They have been in and out of the house, and when Tina and the kids were not here, they were just fine.  Junior has stuck to us like glue, whenever he can.  I try to hog his attention when Tina is around, and neither she nor Junior seem to mind.

 

Clayton did paw at Jessica this evening while she was in Tina’s arms.  He left a pretty good mark across Jessica’s chest and stomach.  She hollered and cried for a bit, and Tina sharply corrected Clayton.  He was confused and upset by the crying – I’m sure he didn’t intend to hurt Jess, but he has a lot to learn about the young’uns.  We’re working on it…  I went outside and sat with the boys on the top step of the deck – they were comical, trying to shove each other out of the way for pets and hugs.  Clayton finally decided he would show who was boss with a little humping, which I did not allow.  He pawed at me a couple of times, leaving some marks on my arm.  Again, I am sure it was excitement and not any intent to harm.  (NOTE:  He has improved a great deal over the last few days with the kids.  We have to be careful, but he is doing better.  Now if I can only get him to quit poking me…)

 

They have been getting lots of hugs (they both love hugs), petting and even a fair amount of playing.  I used to grab Rion’s muzzle and gently pull it down toward his chest – this is a favorite game for both of the boys, but again, Junior’s reaction is very similar to Rion’s.  I find myself using a lot of the old Rion gestures, caresses, etc., and most of them work just as well with Junior.  Clayton is a little more active (okay, a LOT more active), but he loves affectionate gestures too.

 

The boys are both in very good general health.  They are a little overwhelmed with all the stimuli they get here – birds, cats, other dogs, wide-open views over distance – but they love it.  I caught them both bird-watching several times today, and the cats are a never-ending source of fascination.  So far, they are respecting the fence just fine.  I don’t think either of them will try to jump it.   They are settling in pretty well now, and we are seeing more of their true characters – and they are TRUE characters!!!  J  Tina and I both think Clayton will be an excellent Obedience dog, if we can find the time to train him…  He has a great attention span, and is very intelligent.  I think Junior would benefit from Obedience training, too – he is also intelligent, and some additional Obedience work will help him be more confident.

 

NOTE:  It's been almost a week now since the boys came to join us, and Junior has proven to be nothing short of amazing.  I have been overwhelmed a few times by the loss of Rion - I guess that's to be expected, and will happen a few times yet - and Junior seems to know  that I need him.  I have held him in a hug and cried against his shoulder a few times now, and his gentle affection evokes bittersweet feelings - Rion would have done exactly the same thing, so it hurts; on the other hand, what I miss is what Junior is giving me, just as freely as his sire did...  All things considered, given that nothing can bring Rion himself back, I am way ahead of where I would be without Junior's company...

 

March 29, 2004 - Photo update:  The thumbnails below are from photos taken yesterday afternoon, in our own backyard.  We got bluebonnets!

 

Clayton and Junior enjoying the flowers in the yard

Heeere they come - slobber missile at the ready!

 

 

One more picture, just for grins; a friend of mine pointed out the similarities between father and son in these photos.  The ones above are of Junior and Clayton earlier this year, the bottom center is of Rion, taken in 1996.   Can you see the similarities?

 

There is no doubt now.  These two Mastiffs have found a home for the rest of their lives.  May God grant that this will be many years from now...

 

Summer update, 19 July 2004 - the Boys are doing very well with us.  They seem to be happy and well adjusted, and we are pretty much used to each other.  The main reason I am adding another paragraph is to thank the Friends of Rescued Mastiffs (FORM) organization and the volunteers who made this miracle possible.  You can visit them at  http://www.mastiffrescue.org  I hope that anybody who reads this who is interested in Mastiffs will do what he or she can to help with this effort - it saves not only dogs, but sometimes people as well.

 

 

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