Home life with my dog Solny is what I love most

Five years ago at the age of 40 with two teenage sons, I decided I wanted a dog. My last dog had passed away 12 years earlier. It was sad to watch her grow old. So there was trepidation on my part at doing it again.

However, I went to the local kennels, located middle east of the state. Where I explained that I was looking for a small dog. The kennel maid nudged me and said “I have just the dog for you”. He took me to a small, white long haired Jack Russell that stood wagging his little tail at me. He was on other side of the cage door. Turned out his front paws just like a ballerina. His eyes were the largest and softest brown I had ever seen… I was in love! Without a doubt, I needed him to join my family for sure.

During that time, I applied to take him home. As well as visited by the head of the doggy charity who explained that he had taken in my Jack Russell himself. Considering he kept having a go at his four German Shepherd dogs. So with that said, he advised me that he would never be able to share the house with another dog. He then checked the garden to see how high my fences were; I was slightly puzzled by this as the dog was only a foot tall. But I presumed he just wanted to make sure he didn’t escape. We were accepted for adoption. Then I went and picked up my little baby; who apparently already had a name, “Solny”.

Upon bringing Solny home…

After a bacon sandwich and a small cool cup of tea, he decided to sniff out the garden. He tried to escape by jumping over a six foot fence. Which of course he couldn’t do. But that didn’t stop him trying. It took him three months to find a weak point behind the shed. Where he could nip out and he waited until 8 pm at night; in the middle of December and 2 ft of snow. We spent the next hour walking around the housing estate shouting for him. Only to find him at the other side of the fence in the old fella’s back garden who backs onto us.

He kept doing this. Eventually, one day I was so annoyed with him that I didn’t look for him at first. Then I heard this bark. Which continued and continued; until one of the neighbors told me to “collect my **** dog now!” Then, I realized that he was calling me to pick him up. The reason is because he didn’t know how to get home.

Home then got more interesting…

He slept on a dog cushion at the side of my bed. Every morning I would say “good morning Solny”. He decided after a while that no-one was allowed in my bedroom until I had said “good morning Solny”, and anyone who dared was greeted with a growl. The children were quickly trained into submission.

Over the years, his loyalty was taken for granted a little by me, and every time I turned around, Solny would be sat there protecting me. He was a little vicious; I once saw him kill three blackbirds in one morning. He kept the house and garden free of vermin, toads, frogs, cats and birds. In fact, nothing but Solny was allowed in the garden. But when we bought a 8 week old puppy border collie home as a companion for him, he loved her completely. As she grew up; he became devoted to her.

Six months ago

Then, my Solny became ill. His health was at risk. Nothing could be done.. After a short illness, he passed away. I was devastated for a long time. We put him to sleep to stop the pain. But he has left a hole so big in our lives, that I do now truly understand that a dog really is a man’s best friend. All they ask for is love.

The loyalty that a dog holds for his master, comes from his ancestry from the wolf pack. Wolves always stay in packs. Generally, there is a leader of that pack. Who probably had to fight his way to dominance. The other wolves look up to him, and respect him. As well as remain faithful to him. A human plays that role for the domestic dog. Once they understand that you are the leader; they will trust you. They will also remain loyal to you throughout their entire lives.