Bubba
Submitted by Kellie Mintern
Mintern's German Shepherds
MiSheps@aol.com

I would like to share a short story with you regarding our special "Bubba."

We stayed a couple of hours-put Bubba in the back seat of the truck and started for home. Through rain, sleet and snow we arrived home quit late and were exhausted. That is the beginning of Bubba's story and were it ends-I will definitely be a part of it. He was different from the beginning. Not like some of the others that we had purchased. The breeder told us that he was very loving and calm and we would have wonderful experiences with this dog. Oh how right she was. Bubba, at 16 weeks old laid in the back seat for 16 hours till we arrived home. Never once did he attempt to cry or whine or soil in the truck. He would watch out the window as we would get fuel or sandwiches. He would get up to greet us when we opened the door and wag his tail as if to say we had been gone too long. He just clicked. I have no other words to say about how he just fit in.

After arriving home, everyone was tired and it was early morning so we decided to sleep for a couple of hours and then start the day. I am always the first one up and as you can imagine I did try to sleep but it was impossible. I just kept looking at Bubba and was in amazement. He laid beside and never cried. He would wait for my next move and would move accordingly.

Bubba and I decided that we would do chores together. I had alot of dogs to attend to so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for Bubba to meet everyone.

Oh what a morning. We started out just fine and then after meeting everyone bubba decided that he was going to play and he tried to fit into a place that he just couldn't fit. He cried so loud-I didn't know what had happened at first. He looked up at me with this large, sad face with gorgeous eyes and was trying to tell me that he got hurt. I didn't see anything at first. I cuddled him and he squealed. I was horrified because I couldn't see where he was hurting.

I finished doing the chores with the other dogs and decided to pick Bubba up and carry him since he didn't want to move at all. That's when my heart fell to my stomach. Bubba had tried to go through a small space in the kennel-the only place where there was wire-and he had ripped open his side from his shoulder to the end of his ribs. I had put my hand right inside his skin when I went to pick him up.

Getting back to making this a short story-Bubba went through 3 surgeries over a 2 month time. We wore baby t-shirts on him to cover the bandages so he wouldn't chew them. Needless to say he never did a thing wrong. He took it like a trouper and always was full of love. He acted as if wearing a t-shirt and acting human was normal. To this day, Bubba, is the best dog I have ever owned in my life. He is the most loyal and kindest dog I have ever met. I know this sounds like I am partial to him and that just because he is mine I am saying these things. But Bubba has proven himself over and over to alot of people.

His last experience was going Trick or Treating. He did it like I taught him to do it. Of course he went as a "German" Ha Ha. I just wanted to share this remarkable dog with everyone. I will breed him next year and I am excited about his pups. He is by far- the smartest and most dedicated dog I have ever had.

I have attached a picture of Bubba in his t-shirt attire and also a picture of Bubba now at 11 months old. I have been blessed with Bubba and I intend to bless alot of people's lives with him. He loves older people and kids and thinks that he is a baby-sitter for my current litter of pups. He never stops amazing us and we feel lucky to have such a special dog in our lives.

I also want people to know that every dog out there can be special. I have 13 other German Shepherds and everyone is different and everyone is completely dedicated to us. We have a play ground set up for them and it is wonderful watching them enjoy freedom and love. Bubba has taught us many things to and I hope that we are blessed to have him in our lives a long, long time.

Bubba currently weighs about 115 lbs. and is still growing. Everyone who meets him can't believe how nice and sweet he is. I think he tries to make to most of everyday just the same as we do. He is huge and huggable. He is my Bubba.

German Shepherds are wonderful. They try with everything they have inside to succeed for us. We have a responsibility to ensure their right in this world years to come from now. Make the most of everyday with your dog-whether or not it is a German- be a good friend to them. They really do depend on us and when we let them down is when they have to start fending for themselves and that's when WE create bad dogs.