I enjoyed reading this post, (I read the whole thing!) I really enjoy the company of animals, and thought I'd share my pooch with you, too. I found him online one night, while I was browsing for horses and something about the ad told me that he really WAS a good dog. He's German Shepherd and who knows what else. I've heard Lab. Great Dane. lol Could be anything. I drove 4 hours to go pick him up. The people who were giving him away had taken him temporarily from his original owner so they could take the time to find him a good home. He was nearly a year old and 90 lbs. I changed his name to Ricky cuz' Roy didn't suit him.
Well he kept growing and filling out. He's in good shape right now, and up to 145. He hangs out on the couch with me, goes to the feed mill and home depot with me, he's even going on a road trip to visit friends in upstate New York with me in a couple months.
He helps me with chores around the farm, has become a great herding dog (with my horses) which helps me out with feeding time immensely. He actually plays with one of my horses, Keno, they run and nip at each other it's a riot! Neither would ever hurt the other, they're good buddies.
He is a GREAT watchdog, I love looking out the window at night and seeing him make his patrol around the farm before laying in front of the door. (In summer, he prefers being outside at night, although he can come and go as he wishes).
He never leaves the farm without us, he prefers to be with us. Some dogs dont have that kind of loyalty, but the fact that mine does makes me love him even more!
He LOVES to play with other dogs. My sister got a Bernese Mountain Dog about a couple years ago and they are bestest pals. I can calmly ask Ricky... "Do you wanna go see Java?" and he FLIPS OUT. He just loves to go visiting. Here's a picture of Ricky's best friend, Java. (I know Java is a weird name... my sister is a software developer. lol )
He has a toy obsession. Balls. Sticks. Anything he can carry that can be thrown. And he will keeping throwing it in front of your feet until you tell him to go away. lol
He was sleeping the other night and looked so cute I had to take this picture.
Dont even get me started on the horses, cats, pygmy goats, chickens, fish, or ferret.
Our neighbors were told to clean everything with 50/50 water/bleach so they are cleaning and so are we. Both their dog and Shaka are current on Parvo vaccinations but the vet said the virus can live for 5-24 months depending on conditions! So sad.
And yes, all you said about Parvo. That is really scary stuff.
or she'll run y'all ragged. 
Yet another dog-lover in the midst...
