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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Dalmatian | German Shorthaired Pointer

I am obsessing over designer dogs, so when a friend pointed out Linguini's absence from the blog, I immediately felt the need to oblige thus sticking with my recent "designer dogs" theme.

Designer dogs? Huh?

Linguini's story started at the Pasadena Humane Society, an animal shelter. M had one dog, Rosie, a chocolate lab, and didn't want another at the time. She wasn't into rescuing yet. She did however lose her cat and while looking at the pound for her, spotted ... the spotted Dalmatian. Now all puppies are adorable, and Dalmatian puppies are no exception, but Linguini was different. M was told that Linguini was a German Shorthaired Pointer and Dalmatian mix.
Who needs Dalmatian puppies, when you can find a fine specimen of a
Dalmatian and German Shorthaired Pointer mix?
Linguini is proud to be a mutt

I already consulted my precious "designer dogs" list and there was no special term for our Linguini. BTW Linguini was initially named Daisy to match our Rosie. She was no dainty Daisy, but she did move like a wet noodle, so she was renamed Linguini shortly after her adoption.
"Daisy" and Rosie

Linguini and Rosie appeared to be two peas in a pod. Wrong! M was fooled, and, as soon as she let her guard down, Rosie attacked Linguini and ripped her throat. Linguini was hospitalized for a while and later spent a month recovering at home with a tube sticking out her throat. She required around the clock care. She recovered in the end, but only after losing control of her bladder for a couple more years.

About three years later, Rosie got killed, but I'm not allowed to talk about that. Linguini regained control of her bladder, which made life easier on everybody. She decided she was going to be an escape artist next and soon was nicknamed Houdini. There was no stopping her. The pound pounded our door many times to demand that we take control. They threatened with fines, taking her away, putting her down (OMD), but Linguini didn't care. M mounted a 60 foot tether in our back yard, by the pond and had to keep Linguini tied whenever she wasn't around. Needless to say M and Linguini were both miserable. 

Can you see the German Shorthaired Pointer in her? 
Other than the fact that she frequently and clearly points, we can't see it

Linguini is a happy dog that wants to please. If a human looks at her she falls on her back to get a belly rub. She's peace-loving and never cared to interact much with other dogs. Until recently. 


This is Sue, Linguini's BFF

Sue doesn't make friends very easily either, but those two had their own chemistry going. Funny story, Sue playfully bumped Linguini while horsing around the other day and Linguini was airborne! Rhodies are tough and strong. No hard feelings of course. Anything goes during playtime. Sue and Linguini have set their own boundaries. They visit each other's homes, hang, share toys and marrow bones... When you see a loner take to another dog the way those two did, it's magic. 



Happy spotted dog, um, Dalmatian, um, mutt

The minute I joined the family, Linguini was gentle with me. She would run towards me, but as she approached, she'd take tiny leaps to make sure she didn't hurt me. I'll never forget that. For a couple of years, we shared the home as the only dogs, peacefully, each doing her thing. 

When Frankie, the "Chiweenie" joined us, I thought, "this is it!" Frankie was constantly hanging from Linguini's face, jumping on her, tugging on her ears with her sharp puppy teeth, and I was sure that one day she'd become appetizer. It never happened. The worst thing Linguini's ever done to Frankie is a low warning growl, but the brat doesn't care anyways.
This is Linguini now
She loves to spend her days by M's feet
The closer to M, the happier she is



She enjoys sharing whipped cream with her pack
She loves food and has become a skilled counter surfer! 

As if Linguini's life hadn't been complicated enough, when she was about to turn ten, about a year ago, she started getting sick. She had difficulty getting up, her energy was low, and M took her for a check up. She had several dog tumors (benign) and her liver and thyroid functions were slightly compromised. M changed her diet, put her on a joint juice, and started exercising her religiously. Ta-da! A brand new Dalmatian/German Shorthaired Pointer was born. 


Our new dog

Linguini's health is restored for now, and a year later she hikes, swims, loves her visit to the horse barn, and has a bestie. She's constantly happy and the other day she even caught a bird, to M's dismay (only a couple of weeks ago spotted dog had caught a gofer). 



Gorgeous!

When Linguini was sick, last year, M told her, "I gave you ten good years, you owe me at least that many." I think Linguini got it!

As we all well know, it's not about quantity but quality. We all love her and appreciate every moment we have left with her. That was the story of my sissy, the gentle and happy Dalmatian/German Shorthaired Pointer mutt! 


 
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Twinkie

34 comments:

rottrover said...

Dear Twinkie,
Thanks for sharing your sister's story. We've always been curious about her especially after seeing her drool-face in your tongue montage recently. She's a really beautiful girl. Our mom thinks it's really interesting how/when we pick a BFF like Mabel and Maxie or Linguini and Sue. DUH! It's all about the energy. We hope you girls have a fun weekend.
-Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

JacksDad said...

What a really nice story! I've never met a Linguini puppy, but now I can say I have! :)

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

I love that 'guini girl and remember the days - before your time - when my Maggie May was obsessed with Rosie and Guini girl was obsessed with Maggie May. Maggie would put her paws on Rosie's back, Guini would do the same to Maggie. Then, Rosie would run and the other two bozos would follow, hopping along on their hind legs!! An eight legged dog!!!! How's that for designer dogs???? LOL!

D.K. Wall said...

Thanks so much for the backstory. We always learning the history of each other.

Robert said...

Hi, I follow your blog for a long time and must tell you that your posts always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers. Weldone

Deborah said...

Hi Twinkie! Great story and it's amazing how changing her diet, cured her! That is pawesome! L. is beautiful whatever nationality she is!!! LOL
Have a great weekend!
xxoo
Deborah

Stella said...

Thanks, Twinkie, for the Linguini story! I just love rescue stories since I am a rescue myself.

I'm gonna look forward to reading more stories like this, as you find them.

Kisses,
Stella

houndstooth said...

Goodness! Linguini has certainly lead a colorful life! It's good to hear that she's enjoying a second puppyhood, also. We had no idea she was that old. We hope she gets to have more stories, too!

Bunny

Scooter said...

Twink
How ya doing?? That was a great story with a happy ending!! I am glad that Linguini fits in and everyone gets along and everyone feeling great!! Too cool.

Wags
jazzi

Draco and his Mom said...

I really liked learning about your biggest sister. Really glad your mom fixed Linguini's diet and made her healthy, so you and Frankie can have more adventures with her.
Wags,
Draco

Martine said...

Thank you Thank you for sharing about your beautiful spotted sister!! We love hearing how sweet and gentle she is with you and Frankie. You make a wonderful pack of pups!!!

xo martine & the kiddlets

the booker man said...

thanks, miss twinkie! it was cool to learn about your big sis linguini. my mama and daddy have friendz with a dalmation/german short haired pointer mix, too!
*woof*
the booker man

Lorenza said...

Thanks for sharing Linguini's story!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

That was most intersting. I'm new to your blog and this was the first time I'd seen Linguini, who is quite striking looking, I must say.

The escapee thing is one reason why the Moms now insist on medium sized snuffly nose dogs. The Moms and Daddy are pretty old and slow runners and we medium sized snuffly nose dogs are the easiest to keep in the yard. We don't so much want to run the way hunting dogs do, we don't dig under the fence like terriers might and we certainly can't get over it. There's someone for everyone.

wags, Lola

Sagira said...

Did you know in the agility world we are no longer called "mutts" our PC term is now "All American" haha

Kate said...

What a fantastical tale about your very own wet noodle!

May there be many more years to come!

Koda MD

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Twinkie - you told a great story about your sister. We love her many names, but we think Houdini Linguini is great. And a wet noodle - BOL. We wondered what you meant once in your comment to us about having given her 10 years and wanting 10 more - that was just great. We don't know if we see any pointer in her either, but we do think she is very beautiful.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Chester said...

I am so far behind in blog visits but extremely glad that I stopped by today. Linguini is an All American beautiful mutt. Thanks for sharing her story-I totally enjoyed it!
I hope you hold she gives you back those 10 years like you told her!

Chester's Mom ;0-)

Two French Bulldogs said...

aaahhhh thank you for sharing that story Twink
Benny & Lily

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

That is a furry nice story!

It's always nice to meet another runner-off-er-type ;-)

Here's to more great years with a great furamily!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

I figured I'd answer your question here on your blog. The one about medium sized snuffly dogs.Well, I, for one, am a medium sized snuffly dog as well as English Bulldogs, some Pit Bulls, depending on the mix, small boxers and other dogs along the Mastiff line. Bascially, by snuffly I guess I really meant blunt snouts or actually smoosh faces are usually better at the stay at home thing. And the size is just a matter of containment. Too small to go over a fence and too big to go under is what they feel is a safe bet. If they hadn't met me, Blog Mom was interested in a smaller dog for a change, but you wouldn't leave a tiny one in our yard unattended.

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

Oh, and I almost forgot. Please extend my congratulations to your Mom on her excellent taste in breeds. :(

wags, Lola

Hank said...

What a great story!

We love all the pics but especially the one of Linguini and her BFF!

Oskar said...

Linguini is a beautiful dog & she's been through a lot in her life!

Life With Dogs said...

As a lover (and owner) of freckle dogs, I was wondering about Linguini myself. Welcome back my favorite noodle, you have one heck of a story! :)

Dexter said...

That was a wonderful story. I did not know that Lunguini had such an exciting (and sometimes scary) life. But now she is enjoying herself to the fullest and of course us doggies live in the now so she feels as if she has been this happy forever.

Slobbers,
Mango

KB said...

Thank you Twinkie. I love the story of Linguini. He is such a handsome lad, with so many spots! I'm glad that he recovered last year and is having fun with all of you! I also loved seeing the photo of Rosie, as I have a soft spot in my heart for chocolate labs (as you know).

BRUTUS said...

So nice to get to know Linguini. Sounds like some rough times there in the beginning, gosh... Glad you are all peas in a pod now, living happily ever after!!

Snorts-
Brutus the Frenchie

My Mind's Eye said...

Twinkie thank you for telling us Linguini's story. Mom was very sorry to read that Rose did not like her. We thought Labs liked everyone. Thank goodness Linguini healed and today is a happy content
beautiful lady dog.
Madi and Mom

Golden Samantha said...

Sounds like Linguini has been through a baker's dozen of issues (ugh - terrible sentence!) but seems so well now. Looks like she has a ton of personality! You tell stories just beautifully - feel badly about Rosie tho. We came over to say hi and to express our sincere gratitude for your amazing job with GABE - what a success you are! And we also have an award for you over at our place!
Big Hugs xoxoxo

Sammie

Remington said...

Great story! Thank you for sharing!

Mollie Jo and Bobo said...

Lovely story...Thanks for sharing!


Wags and Licks,
Mollie Jo & Bobo & Uncle Puppy by proxy

parlance said...

Thanks for sharing that lovely story. My Penny's a mutt and we love her dearly.

Nadine, Chewy and Lilibell said...

Thank you for sharing Linguini's story with us, we were always wondering about her background, and now we know! She's such a cutie and we wish to see more of her on here (if that's okay with you!)

Waggles & Chi kisses, Chewy & Lilibell

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