Blogging Friends.... If you have not already figured this out, I am
a shameless advocate of mixed breed canines and mutt adoption on my blog!! I'm
unapologetic, really!! Why? Because I share my existence with a certain
Beautifully Unique "Mystery Dog", named Rose!! And.... Based upon
personal observation, seemingly nobody owns mongrels!! But that is just what I
have seen.... So, twice monthly, on every first and second Thursday (Better
late than never.... Right?) I will be expressing my feelings regarding anything
mixed breed!! But do not desert me, dear Friends, because of this one blog
post. Please. There will be plenty of stories to come!!
I was hiking with Rose one day, when we met this nice lady. A fellow
dog lover and owner of, I am certain, an adorable purebred Beagle. "He"
appeared to be absent. She asked what kind of canine Rose was. I answered this
woman, only to swiftly add: "She's a mystery.". And then, the words
that this lady said in reply will remain with me forever. Because they have
left a lasting impact on my life!! "They're the best kind.". Wow.... Rose is, indeed, a "Mystery
Dog". I have decided to embrace this very fact. Shout it loud and proud,
as though I am atop some high roof!! Because we don't truly know what breeds
are present within Rose's DNA.... This entire experience has been based on mere
guesses!! And, while I never, not for a single second, had any issues about my
girl being mixed breed, it was the unknown that irked me. That's right!! The
not knowing got to me. And I enjoy mysteries!! I read them whenever I'm in the
mood. Which is not too often anymore!! But, as a mystery's pages turn, its
story evolves. There are plots. Enemies. Strange occurrences. Surprises. And,
as a mystery's chapters progress, there is always an ending!! Oh, if only life
were as predictable!! With merely a clue here and there, I can solve Rose's
mix!! But do I want to? There is, of course, a way. I wrote about it sometime
on this blog. How? A mixed breed DNA test kit!! They are simple to order and,
apparently, accurate. However, mixed breed DNA test kits are also quite
expensive.... 70-plus dollars, depending on the company!! Ouch. That is an awful lot of money for just solving a
"Mystery Dog's" mix!! So.... Do I want to? One word: Nope!! Would
knowing what breeds are present within Rose's DNA cause me to love her more?
Quite the contrary!! Because I am a mystery, myself. I've expressed this
before. I have "developmental delays", or learning disabilities, if
you will. No pediatrician/child psychiatrist ever diagnosed my neurological
disorders!! So we are alike, Rose and me!! Yep. Despite vast differences in our
species, we are the same!! This not knowing what kind of canine Rose is actually
causes me to love her even more, strange as that sounds. She's Beautifully
Unique. My "Mystery Dog". She is the best kind of mixed breed!!
Blogging Friends.... I feel the need to clarify. Do I oppose mixed breed DNA test kits?
No. I do not!! It is crucial in most cases to "know" your dog(s).
Having his/her "breed" determined helps. A great deal. But on the
other hand, knowing his breeds does not necessarily guarantee
that you will ever "understand" him!! Rose is my "food
lovin'" little girl. She's motivated by treats because of the Beagle
within her. But then, any dog can be a "food lovin'" creature!!
22 comments:
It is so lovely how much you love Rose! When my husband and I were first married our dog Milly was a mongrel. She was a Border Collie crossed with something or other and she was adorable! We had her for 18 wonderful years and when we lost her, it was like losing our own child.
I have never heard of dog DNA kits but I agree, they would certainly do nothing to make you love her more.
Both you and Rose are both beautiful and unique!
Lynne x
Lynne....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Milly sounded adorable!! She was like Rose. Because the only certain breed that we know about Rose is Beagle. Which does, in my opinion, qualify Milly as a "Mystery Dog"!! ;op
I never heard about mixed breed DNA kits, either, until I read on somebody's blog that she bought one!! I found it pretty interesting!! ;)
We were thinking about buying Dante a DNA tester kit, we are sure he isn't a proper labradoodle!
Lovely post :)
Slobbers
Such a great post!
As you know I did indeed DNA test my Molly. It was really amazing, I now know how much exercise she needs and why she's so hyper if it isn't given (also know realize why she's so intelligent), however she, like, Jess, is always going to be a mixed breed... and that's just the way I like it :-)
I didn't even know they made breed DNA kits! As long as there is love, what more do you need? :)
Two Doodles and a Dane....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Hmmm.... Well, if you do have Dante tested, be sure to let us know the results!! ;op
Stacey....
You were on my mind the entire time I wrote this post!! The subject regarding mixed breed DNA test kits is something that I have thought long and hard about. I do not oppose having it done. I was thrilled at Molly's test results!! Sincerely!! It is just that, for deeply personal reasons, I would rather opt out!! ;op
Thank-you for the comment.
All of us dogs are a bit of a mystery. Even though SHE's mostly had scotties...all have been different.
Roxy is our mystery girl, she was surrendered to a high kill shelter as a bull terrier/rhodesian ridgeback mix. But we wonder where she got her basset legs...
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
Finn....
Thank-you for the comment!!
I never heard about mixed breed DNA test kits, either, until I read on somebody's blog that she bought one!! ;)
That's right. "As long as there is love, what more do you need?" I like that!! ;op
Daisy, Bella & Roxy....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Roxy is BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE!! And your Scotties, I am certain, have two completely different "personalities"!! ;op
I asked this question on your blog already. Do you know why Roxy has a long scar on her back? :-(
Hi - I'm new to your blog. I'm a fan of mutts too. I've had a couple of purebreds, and a couple of mutts. The purebreds had more health problems at younger ages (allergies, tummy troubles, and cancer) than the mixed breeds. I'm also an advocate of adopting dogs (rescue dogs). Check out my blog - www.taleof2rescues.blogspot.com. One of my boys is a mixed breed we got as a puppy, and the other is a maybe golden lab (?) that we adopted as an adult. Both are rescues. I'm a bit lacking on updates lately since it's youth baseball season but I'm working on improving that. Have a good day.
Sherri....
Well, hello!! Thank-you for the comment!! ;)
I am glad that you're a fan of mutts!! You will enjoy this blog, then!! ;-}
Rose was the first canine that I ever adopted from any shelters.... And so I'm also a believer of dog rescue!! ;op
I have already added your blog to my Favorites!! Your canines sound quite BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE!! Completely irreplaceable in every way imaginable!! ;-D
You have a nice day, too!! ;-]
A lot of my best friends are mixed bred rescued dogs and we have a house full of recused felines of unknown heritage. I may be pruebred but am no snob!
~Ryker
Ryker....
Thank-you for the comment!!
We own a feline of "unknown heritage"!! And always have had them!! So I suppose there is such a thing, too, as "Mystery Cats"? ;-}
You are one of the most beautiful purebreds ever "created"!! I love Australian Shepherds!! ;op
That's a very lovely post and thanks for loving mixed breed canines. Mika is a mixed breed that we rescued from SPCA when he was 8 months old. He is 4 years old now but he has been through a lot of health issues since he was 9 months old started from dry eye, skin sensitive, yeast attack, car accident, weak immune system and etc. He is a tough boy who is also cheeky and dominant at home.
Priscilla....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Mika is a BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE boy!! Yeah.... Experts say that mixed breeds are healthier than purebreds, and maybe they are. Maybe they aren't. Truth be told, purebred or mixed, we are loving mortal creatures. They will, inevitably, from time to time become ill or injured. Just yet another reason why we should never take our babies for granted!! ;op
I am glad that Mika is well now!!
I know a friend's dog called Kiba. He is no doubt a 'Mystery Dog'. Every time you go to guess his breed, you end up with about five off the top of your head! Here's the link to the post I wrote when he came to visit:
http://lifewithmydogs.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/kiba.html
I just thought you might be interested since he is such a mystery!
lifewithmydogs....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Awww, Kiba sounds so BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE!! ;op
I will gladly read this blog post.... Thank you for sharing it with me!! ;-D
Hi there Raelyn,
As far as I am concerned, ALL dogs are mysteries - both the purebred ones and the mixed-breeds.
Like humans, we are all created with a special uniqueness.
As a child, I always had mixed breeds - 'Pavement specials', if you like. Nowadays, I somehow have purebreds in my home (for varying reasons).
With ALL dogs (as with ALL living beings), I've discovered the necessity of uncovering each dog's special talents, its needs, abilities and wants. Knowing the 'breed traits' only helps in that it allows one an insight into what traits that dog may have been blessed with genetically -, eg A beagle's incredible sense of smell, a Golden Retriever's 'need' to be with people and have something in its mouth, etc.
This knowledge only helps when you are training them, or if you are choosing them for a particular situation (eg small property). At the end of the day, there is so much more to unravel besides the breed trait.
In summary: ALL dogs are unique. Your relationship with Rose will be so too. The more you work with her and get to know her, the stronger your amazing relationship will become.
"Heart dogs" become that because of innate abilities as well as the commitment of the owner to form that incredible bond.
My promise to all my dogs? "To allow you to become the best dog you can be."
Keep unravelling the mystery called Rose... :)
Sending lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SA
MAXMOM....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"ALL dogs are mysteries - both the purebred ones and the mixed-breeds.". Wow!! I had not thought about that!! Thank-you for the new perspective!! I needed that!! The only difference? You know Toby's breed. Rose is an unknown!! And I would not have it any other way!! ;op
"Like humans, we are all created with a special uniqueness." As in, everybody is different? I could not disagree with you on that one!! ;)
"ALL dogs are unique.". Absolutely!! They are unique in temperament, "personality", needs. I imagine that Toby is nothing like your beloved Max, despite being of the same breed!! However, with mongrels, as you already know, they are unique in more than simply temperament, "personality", or needs. I will never, even if we tried, find another girl that looks just like Rose!! ;op
"The more you work with her and get to know her, the stronger your amazing relationship will become.". True, true, true!! ;-]
I am glad that we are Blogging Friends. You sound like an amazing, experienced dog lover!! ;-D
I love how much you love your dog!
Lauren....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Yeah.... Rose is my whole world!! ;op
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