The Reach of Feminine Influence Through Generations of Males

Our first dog, at least 30 years ago, was a female cockatoo - Blackberry Heather Walsh, because she looked like a blackberry as a puppy.  Before she was one year old, her color changed to silver -- like black hair highlighted with while.  Greg, then 3, said, "We should have named her Silverware!"  He was to write a story about his family at Christmastime.  As a preschooler, he told his teachers what to write.  He had his own way of talking.  The only thing they could make out of how he said our dog's name was "Blackberry Has a."  BTW, Heather would have been Greg's name if he had been a girl.

She lived to age 13.  During that time, we purchased a boxer -- Andrew Rockford Frederick Walsh; Andrew after Grant's company St. Andrew's, Rockford after the boxer Rocky, and Frederick after Grant's Uncle Fred who was a boxer.  Andy could say his name!!!  "Rooo - rooo - rooo."  Blackberry taught Andy many things.  He learned to squat to urinate.  He never lifted his leg.  Andy only lived to age 5, as he developed cancer.

That Christmas, Blackberry was elderly and not doing well, so we decided to add another dog to the family before we lost her.  We found Hershey, a chocolate lab, through a newspaper ad for puppies. We were naive and didn't realize it was a puppy mill!  After Hershey survived a Marley-style puppyhood (or maybe I should say -- WE survived his Marley-style puppyhood!!!), he became a gentleman and a scholar.  Since Blackberry was his teacher, he also equated.  We lost Blackberry after having Hershey for only a month, but he learned his lessons well.

When Hershey was 10, we decided he needed a companion and bought a full bred chocolate lab -- Guinness.  Goofy Guinness.   He kept us laughing.  Hershey was an excellent teacher!  He taught Guinness (or tried to teach him) how to heel.  Guinness never did learn to be a perfect heeler.  Whereas, Hershey could be off leash!  Hershey taught Guinness to squat also.  Guinness did lift his leg a time or two in the park as an adult.  We lost Guinness last September with no dog overlapping his lifespan.  Because we our first dog was a girl, our next three males squared to go potty!!!!

Now I have Toby (Toblerone), another chocolate lab.  He ONLY lifts his leg.