A Doggie Christmas Tail
Years ago, when my daughter was about 12, we brought into our home a wonderful dog named Tazzi. She was half Rottweiler and half German Shepherd. I couldn’t think of a better dog that was half and half of my favorite breeds. And, as time would go on, I truly came to know her incredible talents.
Tazzi was my first Search and Rescue Dog. But, from there, Jessica showed Tazzi as her 4-H dog in Obedience and Showing earning either Grand or Reserve Grand Champions in both venues every year. Then my daughter took her on to UKC obedience shows and titled her with a CD. She was also a certified Pet Therapy Dog through Delta Society. At the time, only 1 in 10 dogs evaluated for as a Therapy dog would pass.
As a single mother, I always felt safe wherever we went with Tazzi along. I trained her in “soft protection” meaning she would bark on command. Not, bite, just bark. Taz was a very social, happy dog, but on our hikes into the wilderness and camping trips, Taz did her fair share of on command “bark protection”.
The weekend after Thanksgiving, my daughter and I always ventured into the woods to cut down our own Christmas tree, Taz by our sides. Taz had a great sled dog harness and would drag the tree out of the woods for us, her tail wagging with joy! This was Tazzi’s JOB every year!
As Taz got older, arthritis slowed her. And our new (rescued) German Shepherd, Hattie became another integral part of our family. Hattie was several years younger than Taz and was included in all the same activities Tazzi was – 4-H, AKC, UKC, Pet Therapy, and Search and Rescue.
Finally came the day, that on our Christmas tree cutting tradition, I thought it might be easier for Tazzi if Hattie pulled the tree back to the car. We put the special harness on Hattie. Hattie knew what to do after watching Tazzi for many years.
After our lunch, we headed down the trail with our tree, Hattie pulling the tree. Within minutes, Tazzi stood firmly in front of Hattie, barking and barking. At first I was confused. I couldn’t imagine what the barking was about. Then it dawned on me. Tazzi was not going to have anything to do with Hattie taking over her job pulling that darn tree back to the car! Hattie, bless her heart, stood motionless in her understanding that she never would cross Taz!
Once I got the message, I took the harness off Hattie and put it on Tazzi. While I knew this was going to be hard for Taz, I certainly was not going to take this moment away from her. It was her special job and she knew it! As I walked along behind Taz, next to the tree, I grabbed a limb and did most of the work. But, from there, I could see that short little Taz tail wagging endlessly back to the car! This was her special Christmas gift to us and our special gift to her!
Photo caption: Tazzi’s Christmas Tail was one we would never forget!
