Love at First Sight

by Janet Marsh Webster White

There are few things that are more important to Janet than her precious dog, Opie. At the time of this writing, Opie is 15 years old. December - 2012

I have had many dogs throughout my life. Growing up, we had Camey, an English Spaniel, Flipper a black lab, and Heather, a Scottie. After I was married we had Demi a poodle. Then the children moved out, and in the 1990s, I was without any pets. During this time I was a clerk at the U.S. Post Office and often customers would come in with their dogs.

One dog stood above the rest; her name was Angie and she was a black mini dachshund. I decided if I ever got another dog it would be just like her. One day Angie came in. I took one look at her and decided right then it was time to get a dog. As soon as I got home from work, I looked in the paper and found a litter of minis that were black. Just what I wanted. So my son Tyler and I went to get one.

It was an old man in a filthy house in the “hood” who had about ten dogs. The puppies were cute, and I gave him a deposit. He told me he would bring the puppy to his vet to be checked out, and then I could take him. A few days later the man

called and said he couldn't get to the vet. if I would come get the dog he would knock off $50.00 from the price. Why couldn’t he get the dog to the vet? What else couldn’t he do that he was supposed to do? I had such a bad feeling about this that I told him I had changed my mind. I backed out and got my deposit back.

Although I felt a feeling of relief, I was so bummed. I really wanted a dog. I was thinking maybe this wasn’t such a good idea when I saw an ad for red mini dachshunds. It wouldn’t hurt to go and see them. This time my daughter Ashley went with me. When we got to the address, we were in front of this beautiful house and when we went up to the front door, this happy sweet woman greeted us. Her name was Patsy Kelly.

The first thing we saw was the biggest Rotweiller I have ever seen. It was a pony! Coming up behind was an adorable red wiener dog. Her name was Lilly Mae Kelly. They loved her so much they bred her to get a puppy. The gorgeous dining room had a plastic kiddy pool in the middle. This was where the puppies were born. Lilly had three pups. One had been sold. The little girl was staying with Patsy; they had named her Elizabeth. The one remaining was a beautiful male with a face the color of copper. He was adorable, and it was love at first sight. He was so tiny he almost fit in the palm of my hand. He was very playful and seemed very happy with his new mommy, me. I named him Opie after Ron Howard. Ron Howard had red hair and he played the son, Opie Taylor, on the Andy Griffth show. Opie was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1997. He said goodbye to his mom Lilly Mae and sister Elizabeth and went home to the White House.

The very next day Opie went to work with me. I carried him in a shoulder bag, and his little head stuck out on top as he curiously watched his new world. We made a bed out of a mail tray, and he stayed there right at my feet. All the mailmen loved him and would give him treats. He even knew when it was time for them to arrive, and he would wait by the door. One mailman really loved him. One day he spent about 30 minutes and taught Opie to roll over, sit and shake. The next day he taught him to play dead when he said Bang! and pointed his finger like a gun. No one could believe what a smart dog he was.

My vet was a customer too and knew how much I loved this dog. He once told me "not everyone gets a special dog". Opie was special. He went everywhere in that bag; no one ever even knew he was there. I even had my DMV Photo taken with the bag on my shoulder. They had no clue a dog was in the bag!

Opie was perfect right from the start. He never ate furniture, and he never was given people food. To this day he can sit on your lap while you eat a burger and he won't try to get it. He always has to be in a lap. He is always cold so he loves to burrow into you; he is a major snuggler. My husband Jeff had never been too big a dog person, but he adores Opie.

When Opie was only three he developed back problems. We were lucky enough to have a special hospital not too far away that specializes in critical care for animals. My vet got us an appointment, and it was discovered that Opie had three ruptured discs. Even though the operation was going to cost $3,000, there was no question in my mind that we would do it. The top surgeon, in the US, DR. Cook operated on him. After the operation he looked very much like a football with 20 staples in his back, but he never lost his happy personality, and in a week he was fine. About this same time, my granddaughter Olivia was born. She lived just down the street so every day we would take Opie on the leash and Olivia in the stroller; they both loved their walks. Opie always loved kids and soon we were playing the best hide and seek game. I would put Olivia and Opie in a bedroom and close the door. I would go and hide. Olivia would open the door and Opie ran out like a bullet to try and find me. It was so funny because they always had such a hard time. I would hide in the bathtub or closet and usually had to make a noise for them to find me. Then when we did it again, both Olivia and Opie would make a beeline for the last place I had hidden. Of course I wasn't there. It still makes me laugh today.

Now Opie is fifteen. He moves very slowly, can't see too well but is happy as long as he is in a lap. He sleeps right between us at night and never moves. He loves being under the covers and truly is a hot dog. We will be going to visit our daughter, Devon, in Austin in June. The only way I could get my husband to make the trip was to agree to take Opie with us!!

I could go on about how wonderful my Opie is. He is such an important part of our lives. At 15 I know this could be his last Christmas. I just wanted to share with all my family how lucky we are to have him. Now that both Jeff and I are retired, the three of us are home and together every day. We have all grown old together. I know he is getting really old, and I have promised myself when he goes I will get another red mini right away. Now that I’m retired, I have actually toyed with the idea of getting five and my grandchildren and I have picked out our names.

Opie has given us so much. He is that special one-of-a-kind dog so I know I will never be able to replace him, but I also know I never want to be without one again.

There is something I ask Opie all the time. I will let you decide the answer: I look him in the eyes and say, “Who is luckier: me to have you or you to have me?"