My Pack -- Licorice

Licorice also came to us as a stray.  The back of one of the pictures says it was in May 1984.  We loved Licorice.  She was a sweet girl.  I remember we thought she was pregnant.  I don't think she was.  We didn't have Licorice very long.  :-(  Unfortunately, Mom thought one dog was enough and we already had Tiger. 

So, one day while we were at school, Mom took her to the pound.  :-(  I think Mom regrets it now as a parenting mistake.  We were devastated.  The dog pound was conveniently just down the road.  So some of us kids would ride our bikes or walk down to the dog pound every day.  We would bring a bag of food to give them for Licorice and ask about her every day after school.  After about a week, they said she was adopted.  But, I'm not so sure.  I think she was probably euthanized.  :-(

 Licorice in the living room at 852.  Orem, Utah.

Licorice and Michael

Me and Licorice.  May 1984

Even though we only had Licorice for a week or two, she will forever be a member of my pack.

Until we meet again, sweet Licorice, RIP.

That's my two cents.

My Pack -- Tiger Part Two

Okay, here is part two of My Pack -- Tiger.  These photos are a bit out of order, sorry. 

 

Juliet, Lisa, Michael, me and Tiger of course.  This picture is proof that we had Tiger in March 1979.  I was eight years old.  He came to us at 192.  We moved to North Orem -- 852, then moved to Salem in the summer of '86.  Then back to 192.  Full circle.  Tiger's life with us began at 192 and ended at 192.  That's where Tiger is buried.  

Michael first grade, Tiger, Lisa sixth-grade, Juliet fourth-grade.  First day of school 1983.  I started junior high that year -- seventh grade.  Therefore I had already gone to school before this picture was taken.  

Michael, Dad, Tiger, Lisa, Juliet.  1983.  Carport at 852.  Orem, Utah.

Michael and Dad with Tiger in the backyard at 852.

Camping at Payson Lakes.  I think it rained the whole time we were there.  Tiger enjoyed being out in nature.  As is obvious by his mud covered body and smile on his face.

This may be a duplicate.  852

Out of order but another photo at Payson Lakes.  You can barely see Tiger as he blends in with the mud.

Tiger in his element.  Peering through the slats on the truck.  852.

Very out of character for Juliet.  Washing the mud off of Tiger at Payson Lakes.  As the firstborn, I must have used my power of persuasion to convince Juliet to do this.  :-)

Looking like the animal that he is.

Wearing sunglasses.  On a trip somewhere.

192.

Having fun running in the snow.

Salem, Utah 1986.  Me with Tiger.  Not sure why someone cut my head off. I guess I wasn't supposed to be in the picture.  It was all about Tiger.

Playing in the snow.  852

Chewing on deer antlers.  192.

From the rooftop.

It's cute how he uses his arms to hold the antler.

My brother, Michael.  A boy and his dog.

Dad, Mom, Tiger front porch at 852.  Orem, Utah.

Tiger taking a meatybone from Dad.  852

Tiger following us while I rollerskate and Michael skateboards.  Orem Blvd. in Orem Utah.  Notice that Tiger is off leash.  Tiger was such a good dog.  This must've been summer of 1990 because I'm wearing my dorm room T-shirt from freshman year at Utah State University.  Also looks like I packed on the freshman 15.  :-(  I used to love rollerskating so much.  Do I look like Cesar with my pack following me?  :-)

Blurry, but this is me and Tiger.  192.

Me and Tiger again at 192.

This is the grave marker that Dad made for Tiger.  For a while there was a picture of Tiger behind plexiglass above his birth year.  Dad was a good artist.  He made this out of steel.  Indestructible!

Dad was an incredible artist especially using the tools of his trade as a welder.  He made this truck with Tiger riding in the back out of steel and hand painted it.

Tiger died July 10, 1991 at the age of approximately 13 years old.  Tiger lived up to the old adage of dog being man's best friend.  Tiger was my friend, confidant, and companion.  He was loyal, trustworthy and gave unconditional love.

Rest in peace, my friend.  Till we meet again.

That's my two cents.

My Pack -- Tiger

My first dog pack member -- and most influential in my life -- is Tiger.  Tiger was a stray that came to our house when I was about eight or nine years old.  Thankfully we were able to keep him.  Tiger was definitely my best friend and therapist when I needed to talk to someone about my childhood problems and frustrations.  I could always go to him when I was having a bad day.  He was always a good listener and always gave me unconditional love.

Tiger was a big part of my childhood.  As I said, we got him when I was eight or nine years old -- I think around 1979.  Or thereabouts.  And we had him until I was grown and gone from the house.

Tiger was a kind, gentle, loving dog.  He was the perfect companion for a kid growing up.  I have many memories of riding in the back of Dad's 1950 Chevy pickup truck with Tiger (and Lisa).  Those were the days!  It's a shame you can't do that anymore because those are some of my fondest childhood memories with Tiger.

Tiger was also quite the ladies charmer.  A regular Rico Suave.  He was the neighborhood ladies man.  He was known to occasionally run off and jump six-foot fences to visit a lady.  Tiger fathered one litter of puppies that we know of.  We were lucky enough to meet his puppies after they were born.  We named one of them Tigaro Juñero.  I always wished we could've kept one of them.

One day a big pretty white fluffy dog walked by and I called her Lola.  From then on I would always ask Tiger, "Where's Lola?"  Tiger was quite the character.

We are not sure how old Tiger was when we got him.  He was full grown though, so we thought he was probably around a year old.  Tiger died in 1991 at approximately 13 years of age.  I was with him when he died.  It was hard.  RIP my friend.  

We are not sure which breeds Tiger was a mix of.  We think perhaps a cross between a Collie and Australian Shepherd.  Regardless of what breed he was, he was a beautiful dog.  No wonder the ladies were drawn to him.  :-)

The above photo was taken in Tiger's older years.  After we moved back to 192.

Looking out of his doghouse.

A stately boy.

Chewing on a bone.

Eating a meaty bone at 852.  My parents kept the yard immaculate.  The grass looks fake, but it's real.

Chewing on a bone at 192.

A happy, majestic boy at 852.

I think this is me putting a wig on Tiger's head.  He doesn't look too thrilled.

A familiar sight.  Tiger in the back of Dad's 1950 Chevy truck.  As I said, I have many fond childhood memories of riding in the back of this truck with Tiger.

852.  Tiger by his doghouse.

Tiger spent a lot of time sniffing this radiator and trying to get a mouse (or something) out of it.  I guess it gave him a good "job" to keep him busy.

Tiger, meaty bone, and Dad at 852.

Tiger at 852 in Orem, Utah.  Dad reading a newspaper in the background.  Early 1980s.

Michael and Tiger in Salem, Utah.  Summer 1986

Tiger in the front yard in Salem.  1986

Shaking after a bath.  852.

Tiger peeking around the corner at 192.

Getting a Rawhide bone for Christmas.

Dad giving Tiger a milk bone at 192.

Hunting that pesky mouse.  192

Tiger doing party stance to me and my cousin, Preston.  192.  Late 1980s.

Tiger and Dad in the living room and at 852.

Can you spot Tiger?  He is sitting by his truck.  192.  Orem Utah.

Tiger wearing one of Dad's welding hats. Dad holding Tiger.

Tiger looks ticked.  This picture is funny with Michael and Tiger only showing one eye.  We took Tiger on a trip to California with us once.  I'm not sure if this photo is of that time, but it was cramped and long and Tiger had a gutful.

Shaking hands.  Tiger was very polite and often shook hands with people.

Tiger and the green truck.  They go together like peanut butter and jelly.  192.
 

Tiger in the back of the truck in the garage at 852.

I'm going to have to do a part two because this is getting too long and there are still more pictures I want to add.  So this post is to be continued...