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| Name: |
Teague
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Age: |
Four years old
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| Gender: |
Male |
Breed: |
Australian Shepherd, Border Collie |
| Home: |
Portland, Indiana, USA |
I
adopted Teague from a local shelter when I was going through deep
depression and a divorce. I had been having chronic pain for over two
years and nobody knew why. I had become hopeless about life and needed
something to love me and something I could love back. Teague was an answer
to a prayer. I always say we rescued each other. He offered me love with
no strings attached. He has been there through laughter and many tears for
me. I truly feel the Lord brought two lost souls together the day I found
him and now I can't imagine life without him. I could not have children,
so I just tell people my son has paws.
Teague loves to be affectionate and loves people. People often tell me
what a beautiful dog he is. I had one lady tell me once that she doesn't
like dogs, but Teague is just beautiful. He is so sweet when he will come
and lay his head on your chest like he is giving a hug. My mother says,
you can see Teague's sweet soul when you look into his eyes. He is also so
expressive with his eyes. I can ask him something and at times he will
kind of glance to the side, like he is thinking about it. He knows he is
not suppose to beg for food so he comes and will sit in front of me, but
avoid looking at me, he will just look at the wall behind me. it is rather
funny. It's almost like he is saying, "I'm not looking so I'm not begging."
He likes to play in his pool now that it is summer. He will put his front
paws in the pool like he is digging for something and throws water
everywhere while he goes around the diameter of the pool over and over
just barking at whatever he thinks is at the bottom. Every now and then he
sticks his muzzle down in the water and blows bubbles through his nose. It
is pretty funny to watch.
He also loves to play frisbee or having his ball thrown. He is very good
at bringing it back for another throw. He has a lot of stuffed animals and
if someone comes to visit that is what they get, a sloppy stuffed animal
on their lap that he wants them to throw for him. If they don't pay him
any attention then he will sit and wait patiently to see if they will
throw it then if they still won't pay him any attention then he will stick
his front paw up as if pointing to show where his toy is. He likes me to
dance around and sing to him, especially the song, Twist and Shout." He
goes and gets a stuffed animal and shakes it in his teeth and wildly
throws it around. He also likes to be vacuumed and I will tell him,
"Teague, show me your belly" and he rolls over to expose his belly for
vacuuming.
We have worked on a lot of tricks. He knows basic commands such as sit and
lay down. When I ask him if he is a tired boy, he will yawn on cue. He
knows where his nose is and will point to it if he is asked where it is.
We play Bank Robbery where I make my fingers into a gun and say, "every
one down on the ground and put your hands up." He will lay down turn over
and put his paws up to his chest. He knows what kisses are and will give
me one if I ask or give his stuffed animal one if I ask him to. He also
knows "high five" and will give me one or his stuffed animal. I can put a
treat in one of my hands and then put both my fists out and ask him which
hand is it in, he will raise up and touch one of my hands, he usually gets
it right. Most people are awed by the fact that Teague just seems to know
what I am saying. I can tell him to come pick up his toy from the bedroom
and he will come and get it and knows he needs to take it into the living
room. I still haven't got him to put it in his toy box quite yet though.
I truly believe that Teague is why I am still alive on this earth. I was
put on a new medication that left me unconscious and barely breathing. A
friend came to my front door and was just about ready to leave when I
didn't answer when Teague began barking and whining and scratching at the
door. She called the maintenance man and told him that something had to be
wrong, Teague doesn't do that. They unlocked my door and found me on the
couch and got me medical attention. If it wasn't for Teague and what he
did to get the friend's attention, I probably wouldn't be here. He is
truly my best friend.
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