Today I am going to tell you about The Spud & Foster Show. How they helped me shape me into the man I am today. I know it sounds silly to think that a couple of really sweet dogs could influence a boy or man to be better. Well, I’m here to tell you that they helped me when I needed companionship and a friend at some of the times I needed them most. At times in my life, I needed to share my experiences of both positive and negative things. There was nobody else but, Spud as a kid growing up in Seattle, WA, and Foster while I was married and living in Winchester, VA, to share them with. That is why I named this article The Spud & Foster Show.
My Companion Growing up, Spud.
Spud was my childhood dog when I was growing up. She was a shelty, and I was told she was a border collie mix, but she was always just this shaggy 35-pound dog named Spud. From my earliest memory, she was always there. She would go from where we lived, which was in Bellevue, WA, to Deer Park, WA, 300 miles away, in our little VW Bug with my dad, mom, and little brother. At the time, my grandparents lived on a lake in the mountains named Deer Park Lake; that’s what I remembered anyway. That dog loved to travel anywhere, so my parents took her. I remember that for air conditioning, my mom kept a spray bottle and would spray us down and roll the window down. Spud as well, and she loved it.
That dog stuck to me like glue; it was funny, if not so important where my parents were concerned. You see, I was a bit of a daredevil growing up, and if not for Spud, I’m afraid I might not be around to tell you some of these stories.
When I was little, I wandered into a part of the lake I wasn’t supposed to, and I hit a hole and went under water so fast. When I went under, Spud, who was always watching me and my brother, started barking and dove in after me. He could not get to me fast enough. But my grandma got to where I had disappeared and fished me out. She always said that if it had not been for my dog, I would have been a goner. That’s probably why she did not get into to much trouble for rolling in that dead fish. And had to be washed by dad, lol.
Our Cat, Punkin, Joins the Show.
When I was 9 or 10, we got a cat, and Spud did not like cats. And he knew she had one of those creatures living in the house with her special boys. Surprisingly, she and the cat got along splendidly. But any other cat better run when they see Spud, because she is going to give chase.
Now cats are different, and Punkin was no different. She was christened Punkin because, because my brother was so young, he meant Pumpkin, but it came out Punkin. She moved when she wanted to, played when she wanted to, and scratched you for no reason. This was funny because her front claws were gone. Because that was the rule to get a cat into our house. So instead of her attacking me or anyone else, it was like a punching motion. It was really funny when she did it to the sleeping dog, ha ha.
There was a cute, adorable thing that Spud did, especially when we were younger boys. My brother is 3 years old. He herded us away from certain things, like an open pool or a busy street. 112 Ave., to be specific. We lived on a dead-end street, and 112th Ave. was the busy intersection we had to stay away from. Spud just knew that we were not to go anywhere close, so she instinctively kept us away. We ironically lost her when my brother was crossing 112 Ave. to shoot some hoops with me. Spud, in her old age, thought my brother was saying to come when, in all actuality, he was saying to go back. She got hit by a car, and that was that. We lost a friend of 20 years 🙁 .
Foster & Bailey Invade Our Lives.
The Spud & Foster Show has started. It is about 15 years later, and I am married to a wonderful woman. And we decided to do research and get a dog that would be loyal and follow directions. We found the next County through a woman who had Border Collie Puppies for sale. She lived on a ranch and trained dogs to herd and follow commands. She actually later told us that she had to train the humans just as much as the dogs.
On the way home, we came up with the name Foster. We quickly got our first dose of what it was like to own a border collie. He didn’t just stick around; he was always wanting to do something. Luckily, we had 3.5 acres of grass, and he loved to fetch. I would throw that ball with the extender so I could send it all the way across the yard. When he was a year old, my arm would get tired, but he still wanted to go. I swear he had upwards of a 75-word vocabulary; he was that smart.
We had to get another dog for my wife. Foster latched onto me and was nice enough to her, but she also wanted a dog. So we went to our friend now, who was training our dog Foster to work sheep, she was really good too. She didn’t have any, so we went to a lady who was recommended, and my wife picked out this tricolored border collie puppy named Bailey. An adorable dog who latched onto my wife, and she had a dog. As the years went by, they played, but Foster was always having to take care of Bailey. Bailey was not as smart as Foster, and it showed. Man, I loved Foster with my heart and soul. The Spud & Foster Show was in full swing.
Divorce Gets in the Way
The market got rough, and like everybody else, things got tight. We started playing an online game, and it was fun for a while. I lost interest, but she was addicted to it, and after that and a lot of other things, I filed for divorce. She got the dogs in the divorce, and we had to sell the house. Man, do I miss that dog.
The Angel Joins the Crew
So I live in Richmond, VA, after I lived in Myrtle Beach, SC, and I have been working on staying alive after a heart attack with double bypass surgery and a major stroke that happened 4 years ago. Then, in November 2022, I came out of a fog that had descended over my brain. I was living in an apartment after getting out of the Veterans Rehabilitation Clinic for six months. I qualified for early Social Security Benefits and have been barely surviving without even being noticed.
Angel, a cross between a boxer and a pit bull, comes into my life when his owner is thrown in jail for who knows what. The police officer who came to my door told me about this and asked if I would like to take the dog in. Otherwise, he is going to the pound, and that is never good. The dog is so sweet that sucker that I am, I say sure.
So here I am with a 2-year-old, sweet dog who literally takes me for walks. I am handicapped, with my right arm only partially working and my right leg having a problem dropping to the ground smoothly. Having to take Angel out forces me to get up and go out in any weather at any time. Did I mention that she loves me a lot? She is always putting her head in my lap. I have to give her up in a week or so, but I have cherished these 4 months I’ve had with her.
Another Dog on the Horizon?
I am getting better slowly but surely, but I have a really big decision to make. The Spud & Foster Show is at a standstill. Do I dare get a dog and a companion again? Will I be able to care for and love him, and if so, what do I get? It can’t be as large as Angel, but I really would prefer a dog like a Border Collie. But that is a lot of play time, and can I do that? When I know, you’ll know. Stay tuned for now.
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