The Social Network for Dog Lovers

Sparky

This is a difficult story to write, partly because I carry so much guilt and because I still feel incredible pain when I remember the details of the event.
Sparky came to my son Luke and I after Luke had decided he wanted a Long Coated Chihuahua to train for agility. Luke worked long hours as a pet sitter for the next door neighbor's MaKaw "Captain Kirk" and saved up enough to finally buy his pup from a reputable breeder. He chose a little white with black spots and two striped up the ears pup. That pup had tenacity and brains! Luke named him Sparky because it fit his personality. He was the tiniest pup I had ever seen. Luke had to visit his dad on weekends and leave Sparky with me as his dad did not have the patience for pup training. Unfortunately for Luke the pup bonded to me. I being the Alpha for the other four in our "pack" it was understandable. We tried to do everything to re attach Sparky to Luke but Sparky would not have it. He even growled at Luke. It was very sad. Eventually Luke "gave" sparky to me for my birthday. (I owe him a Australian Sheepdog) Sparky attached himself to my hip and would not allow the other dogs near me. I had to let him know who was boss though. Old Corky dog was always understanding with the newbies as he had seen so many rescues come and go so he had no jealousy issues. The Yorkies on the other hand...
Six years flew by and Luke left the nest as well as Old Corky dog going to the Rainbow Bridge and Yorkies except old Harvey who is still with me.
On a rainy February day in 2006 I was doing a delivery to a Christian Community Center of flyers. I had my baby grandson in the back of my car and Sparky as well. Sparky was well trained to stay still and quiet while the baby slept. The Community Center was closed but the Center's manager was to meet me with her car and I was to give her the box of flyers in the parking lot. This was in a very bad part of town. I met her as agreed and jumped back into the car out of the rain making sure the baby was ok and took off towards home. thirty minutes later I arrived home and looked back to find the baby still sleeping but no Sparky!!!!
Sparky had a bad habit of occasionally jumping out of the car when I did as he did not want to be separated from me. I had tired many time to train him out of this bad habit but we were joined at the hip. I was shaken to the core when I realized where he was. Everyone in that part of town had a Pit Bull. Gang members roamed the streets as well as transients. (will finish later)