Largo

California Daze. For some reason I was thinking about my german shepherd, Largo, and how he had adopted me, moved to California with me, and landed us a beautiful spot to live in Laguna Beach.  The mailman left me a note that he could no longer deliver my mail (this was back in the day when you had a slot in your front door for the mail) because a protective dog had been guarding my porch for the last 10 days. I had no idea what he was talking about! I didn't have a dog at the time. The next day I came home from work to find a beautiful, but thin, german shepherd ... on my porch. I was a little nervous but this dog acted like he had been expecting me and made himself right at home. He was, indeed, very protective! About a year later, I was offered a job in Santa Ana, California and decided to take it, with the raise and the change from New Mexico. I packed up my stuff, Largo, and my loyal, lovely gray cat "Beggar." We headed off for the great unknown. I had rented a place from a group of unknown people - young and innocent and trusting as I was - but, it soon turned out to be a disaster. One of my new roommates went into my bedroom while I was at work although I had warned everyone not to enter my room because of the shepherd.  Largo attacked him and the man fought back. Largo lost his eye in the battle as the man smashed him in the head with a heavy lamp (he was bitten, but not badly). I rushed Largo to the vet and ended up with extensive vet bills for surgery, etc.  I had to take Largo to work with me to administer medication and keep an eye on him. After a few days, my new boss insisted that I move to Laguna Beach and live in their guesthouse - he had fallen in love with Largo, as did his wife! Largo, Beggar, and I had a wonderful home there, a block from the ocean. Although it was a hour drive through the canyon, as soon as I arrived home every day I took Largo down to the ocean to explore. We lived there for about a year.

One day, Largo followed me up a steep winding staircase. I did not realize he was following me as it didn't occur to me he could (or would!) negotiate the turret with the cast iron stair steps. As I reached the top, I looked down several stories high and witnessed Largo falling straight down to the bottom! Frightened, I rushed back down to find that Largo had survived without any broken bones.

I'm not sure if the trauma of the attack and the fall had anything to do with it, but soon afterwards he was diagnosed with cancer; his loyalty to me was strong and fierce - he survived several more years before succumbing to the disease.

I really loved that dog.  Actually, I really loved that cat, too! Beggar has her own unique story - another day.