CoCo, My Santa Fe Companion
This sweet little Border Collie lives across the highway from where I am staying in Santa Fe. According to her owner, CoCo is an "outside dog" with her own doghouse. He provides food and water for her there and has paid attention to her veterinary requirements: spayed, all shots with ID tags on her collar.
Shortly after I get up in the morning, CoCo appears on the backyard deck, remaining there 'til I leave for my adventures. When I return she lopes down the gravel driveway and beats me to the door. She'll remain on the deck every night until I go to bed, even if I'm in a different part of the casa. It's hard for me to honor my friends' request not to feed her or let her in their casa. Because her owner is gone almost all day long, 10-month old CoCo is alone and literally starved for affection and companionship. Because our family are animal lovers, an outside dog is a foreign concept to me and hard for me to understand. I'm worried that someday she might be injured or killed crossing the highway from her house to this casa. When I'm not here, one of my friends gives her some attention also. If I were driving instead of flying home, I think I would be tempted to engage in dognapping and whisk her away to Minnesota because of her sweet temperament and good nature.
To see more photos of camera critters. go here.
CoCo is a beauty and it cannot be easy for her living like this. I always think of border collies as the Saab convertible of dogs, high performance. Here in Yorkshire many farms have one or more collies used as sheep dogs and they mostly live outside in a kennel, but they are out and about the fields working for much of the day.
ReplyDeleteBorder collies need a lot of exercise and also something for them to think about rather than left to their own devices.
Aw, what a sweetie dog! As a fellow animal lover, I hate to see dogs left (or worse, tied out) in the yard all the time too. Unfortunately here in Hawaii it is common. I would be tempted to dognap her too, poor thing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dog and perhaps a lifelong friend.
ReplyDeleteDarryl and Ruth :)
If I EVER had a dog, I think a border collie would be the choice. Beauty!
ReplyDeleteI never understood leaving your dogs outside like this. She is a cutie. So happy she likes being there with you.
ReplyDeleteBorder collies are remarkable animals. My mother-in-law, Glenda, still has a hole in her heart and in her life from the passing a few years ago of her beloved border collie mix.
ReplyDeleteSo this is your visitor? She is quite cute, and look at that shy look she is giving you. We grew up having "outside dogs." Though we had 2, so they could entertain each other & our yard was fenced. She looks very well cared for... I think she's just checking in on you!
ReplyDeleteI can not stand these eyes. My strong character vanishes when they look that way. Beware!)
ReplyDeleteI am sure there is nothing in the outdoor dog rulebook that prohibits petting the dog and letting it sit on your lap, Kate.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely be tempted to bring her home with me! I could never leave a dog alone like that all day to roam free.
ReplyDeleteI guess coco is sweet I could see it in its eyes. mine is up and its here Mary Anne’s Musings I hope you can pay a visit thanks
ReplyDeleteUgh, this is such a tough situation. Yes the dog is taken care of, it's fed, it has shelter, it's taken care of medically. There are dogs in worse situations. But this still hurts me. Dogs are a part of your family. They're pack animals, not loaners. They don't belong outside by themselves all day :(
ReplyDeleteShe is so sweet looking. Give her a hug for me.
uh! I wish I could adopt her..she needs companion and I am sure she's lonely being alone. Visiting from CC.
ReplyDeleteShe looks like a lovely dog Kate and with those eyes, I'm not sure how you could refuse her!
ReplyDeleteI can't understand people who "keep" pets, but don't have time to care for them.
ReplyDeleteShe is very sweet and deserves to live with a family that will give attention and love.
Regards!
Sweet Coco--and you've captured her sweetness so well. I vote for the dognapping.
ReplyDelete:O(
Happy Labor Day too!
Oh, that sweet, sweet face! Like you, I don't get the "outside dog" concept. I'd be sorely tempted to turn in my airline ticket, rent a car, and invite CoCo on a road trip.
ReplyDeleteCoCo looks like a very sweet dog. I don't blame you for wanting to dognap her.
ReplyDeleteOh she's adorable Kate, those eyes, she's definitely looking at you with those 'take me home with you eyes'. There's a law against outside dogs here in Aussie, all dogs have to be kept behind a gate or on a lead, much safer for them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very sweet look!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame that CoCo doesn't get the attention she truly needs.
ReplyDeleteSince I work and Mama's now gone, along with our darling mini-dachshund Duncan, folks have said to me, "You need another dog." I know I don't need one because I work five days a week and I roam quite a bit on the weekends. Maybe someday when I retire I might change my mind.
This little soul is not truly valued by her "owner". Being starved for affection is abusive and neglectful. She found you for a reason, Kate. Animals are the closest that we can get to God. If you leave her in this sad, dangerous situation, your heart will forever ache. Plans can be changed. If you rescue Coco, you both will be the better for it. Friends are not that plentiful in our lives, so recognize this sweet dog as a gift to be protected and treasured. I send good wishes to both of you.
ReplyDeleteGodspeed,
Sharon Stanley Ruggerio