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Shiloh

March 15, 2012 By Deanna Piercy 7 Comments

We haven’t had a dog for about a year and a half. Our sweet Pyrenees, Duke, disappeared – we think someone shot him. Then Emily died and Iggy, the dog I rescued off the highway disappeared about the same time. For the first time in my life, I was dog-less. We could have gone out and bought one but when you live in the country you get used to taking in strays and I honestly figured it was only a matter of time until one showed up. But the months dragged on and the raccoons moved in. And the coyotes, like the one I saw on our BACK PATIO a couple of weeks ago. Not only did I want a dog for the companion factor but out in the country it’s really a necessity.

So I put out the word to lots of people that I wanted a Great Pyrenees. I’d always thought Golden Retrievers were the best breed – and they *are* wonderful – but after having Duke I changed my allegiance. A more laid-back, non-agressive breed does not exist and no one can deny that they are gorgeous.

But the main issue for me was the non-aggressive trait. You see, several years ago I had a very traumatic experience with a dog and for the first time in my life I became afraid of them. I now have a bit of understanding of what post-traumatic stress syndrome is like. On one of our trips to New Orleans, a couple of dogs growled at each other on the street near where I was walking and I nearly climbed out of my skin as I quickly moved to the other side of the crowd. I know it’s not entirely rational but even teeny, tiny dogs give me the jitters. Or maybe that *does* make sense as small dogs tend to be yippy, yappy things and often snap at people.

Anyway, one of the people I told about the dog desire is a young woman we’ve known since she was a toddler and who is now a veterinarian here in town. Long ago I told her that if she ever heard of anyone wanting to get rid of a Pyrenees, to let us know. Well, about a week and a half ago she posted a picture of a bullet on Facebook and said she’d removed it from the shattered leg of a Pyrenees. Turns out it was a 45 caliber bullet. The poor dog had been found in Francis, the tiny town where David works, and someone brought him in to the animal clinic where Stephanie works. She removed the bullet, cleaned the wound and made arrangements at OSU for the complicated surgery he would require. She then posted his story and a couple of photos on Facebook:

“Meet Bullet! He is a 2 year old, Great Pyrenees that was found Tuesday night with a .45 caliber bullet in his front leg. We are currently trying to raise money for the surgery to plate his humerus (front leg) that was shattered by the bullet. Donations are being taken at Arlington Animal Clinic until 5:30pm today, and again during normal business hours next week. PetSense is also accepting donations for Bullet, and they are hosting a carwash to help with the cause on Sunday, from 1-4pm. Please help in any way possible. Bullet greatly appreciates your help! He will be at the Car Wash some on Sunday so come and meet him!”

She then asked if we might be interested in adopting him. Take a look at that face and try to tell me I could have said no.

So the donations poured in and “Bullet”, which is what they were calling him, got his surgery. He has pins and a metal rod, plus an external fixator, but they believe he will make a full recovery and regain use of the leg.

David and I were out of town over the weekend but Stephanie and her husband drove to OSU to pick him up a few days after his surgery. Here he is during the drive home:
And here is where they found him at one point over the weekend:

You see, instead of leaving him at the clinic over the weekend, which is what I had assumed she would do, Stephanie took him to her own house. And that’s where he remained until we picked him up Monday night when we returned from our trip to Kansas City…which I’ll tell you about later.

So now we have the dog I’d been hoping and praying for. He’s got a lot of healing to do and he’s kind of high maintenance at the moment. We never had a big dog in the house other than in the laundry room but Shiloh is already my shadow and really wants to be with me a lot.

Oh, I forgot to mention the name change. They were calling him Bullet at the vet’s, for obvious reasons, but a peace-loving hippie like myself really needed to come up with a more suitable name. I mean, I have cats named Dharma and Berkeley, for goodness sake. I wanted something either hippie/peace-related or something to do with New Orleans. I considered Gumbo or Gumbeaux but then I came across this:

Beauregard is the surname of a well known Civil War soldier who was killed in the battle of Shiloh. His ghost, it is said, wanders the streets of New Orleans at night whispering “Shiloh”.

Additionally, Shiloh means “place of peace”which suits my hippie tendencies. David liked the name immediately when I suggested it so it was settled. After the violence Shiloh experienced at the hands of a cruel individual, he deserves to spend the rest of his life in peace.
Shiloh and Chris – Pals 
 
I think he will be happy here on Apple Tree Farm.

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Filed Under: Country Living, Dee's Life, Pets, Shiloh Says Tagged With: dog, Life on Apple Tree Farm, raccoons, Shiloh

« Menu Plan…Tuesday? (again)
Menu Plan Monday ~ March 19, 2012 »

Comments

  1. MaryJ says

    March 15, 2012 at 8:51 am

    Thank you so much for Shiloh's story, Deanna :)) I love happy endings and he's an absolute beauty. :))

    There seems to be some sort of mystical bond in the picture of Chris and Shiloh……shenanigans could be the order of the day in the near future in feel ;))))

    Reply
  2. Terri says

    March 15, 2012 at 11:08 am

    I love that big smile on Shiloh's face. Bet he turns out to be the best pet ever.

    Reply
  3. Melissa says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:04 am

    Thanks for sharing. It's a great story. Everyone that has met Shiloh loves him, and I am so glad he now has you. I know from experience it takes some dogs longer than others to find that forever home. I'm thankful Shiloh has his now.

    Reply
  4. jaci says

    March 18, 2012 at 5:20 am

    Deanna,
    I have been waiting to hear Shiloh's story. I have so many thoughts running through me head about your post – which one to focus on? I know you know a little of my journey in adopting Harvey. I had a traumatic dog experience when I was a preteen and I fight it every time I meet a new dog.
    And I know Shiloh will be the best ever dog for you (I retain the rights to call Harvey the best ever dog for me ;)). Shiloh has a Harvey face – I can't help but like him. Congrats and I am so happy to know Shiloh has found a real forever home. ♥

    Reply
  5. Deanna Piercy says

    March 21, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    Thanks, everyone. We are absolutely besotted.

    Reply
  6. MotherHen says

    July 18, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    Love Shiloh, we have a Great Pyrenees named Dixie, she's my shadow too especially when it's thundering or the man next door shoots his gun. I just loved this story & am enjoying looking around your blog 🙂

    Reply
  7. Deanna Piercy says

    July 23, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    Mother Hen: Aren't they the sweetest dogs? Hope you enjoy my blog. I'll check yours out, too.

    Reply

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I’m Dee, a Francophile with a hippie heart, trying to create a beautiful life in the country while dreaming of Paris.

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