Follow me on Twitter A 2007 Gallup pole indicated that 44% of American families own a dog. Wanting to have an at-home companion or a friend was the main reason why these families chose to own a dog. A much smaller number of people had a dog for protection, security, or practical reasons such as for hunting and exercise. But dogs are also useful. It’s helpful to know about your dog’s breed in order to understand what special qualities and characteristics your dog possesses innately. Then you can appreciate your dog all the more, and provide the resources that make your dog thrive and be happy.
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On a special day, I got to have my photo taken with a group of firefighters from our town, Newton. Also in the photo were Senator John Kerry and our mayor-elect, Setti Warren. This was a special photo because special and very nice people were in it and because I was in the photo, too! I was being useful by helping my candidate win. You can see me to the right, trying to make friends with one of the firefighters, who is petting me.
When many people think of firefighters, they think of Dalmatians. So we are back to the topic of dogs. Dalmatians and I are dogs. Also, Dalmatians and Retrievers (like I am) are strong and can run for long distances.
Dalmatians were very useful to firefighters a long time ago, before firefighters drove those large trucks with engines that they drive now. In fact, our town of Newton was the first town to use motorized firetrucks in our country! Before firefighters drove trucks with engines, they drove trucks that were pulled by horses. Teams of horses.
So to get back to the topic of dogs: Who protected the horses? Why, Dalmatians, of course!
What did Dalmatians protect the horses from? From robbers and thieves who wanted to steal the horses and people’s belongings during the nighttime when the firemen were sleeping. They also protected the horses from wild dogs who would roam the streets and nip at the horses’ feet.
Why Dalmatians? Dalmatians and horses make very good friends. Dalmatians are strong (like me) and can run for long distances, maybe more than 30 miles, at a speed up to 30 mph! Dalmatians wanted to protect the horses. The Dalmatians calmed the horses down when the horses got agitated, such as when there was a fire. People also liked the way Dalmatians looked, with their spots!
So firefighters have loved dogs for a long time because dogs have been their friends and have been very useful in people’s lives. I am happy to know that in our town we have wonderful firefighters and that now they are my friends!
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I have a lot of nice photographs of Dalmatians and horse-drawn firetrucks! Look below!
You can see the company Dalmatian to the right, just under the wagon wheel.
Here you will see a video of horse-drawn firetrucks from a long time ago, long before you or I were born.
Finally, here is video and a photo of Blaze, the Dalmatian! He’s owned by Dave Humpert from the California State Firefighters’ Association! I think that Blaze and I would make really good friends!
Mr. Mitch Mendler, who took this photo of Blaze, gave my mom permission to use it.
It is heart-warming to see that Joey, is friend of the FIRE FIGHTERS, who are brave patriots, risking their lives for everyone’s safety.
Last night, I was reminded of that as I saw a four hour replay of the actual scenes from the tragedy of SEPT 1, 2001, AKA 91101.
We saw the firefighters , loaded down with their heavy equipment, racing in and out of the burning MANHATTAN buildings, to rescue as many as they were able, dragging the heavy equipment up the lengthy stairwells of the burning buildings, and (radioing) callng back from somewhere up in the dark smoke-filled stairwells, while the swirling smoke half-blinded and choked them. .So Joey choosse good company…. testimony to his sound upbringing.
Jerry,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on my blog. I see you too are a friend of fire fighters! Your message is very important. It’s really important to appreciate the people who help ensure your safety and save lives.
Your pal,
Joey
Joey, your mom has a friend whose pastor claims his Dalmatian would serve coffee to his friends, his tail is so welcoming. I thinks your paws would get in the way in serving coffee, but do you wag your tail to welcome your mom and dad’s friends?
And Joey, do you love to jump in piles of snow?
Marion,
A pastor whose Dalmatian serves coffee to his friends? Wow. I don’t know how he does that. Maybe the Dalmatian pulls the coffee cart?
How did you know that I always wag my tail to welcome my mom’s and dad’s friends? But my tail is very powerful so people have to be careful around me. When I start wagging my tail, my Dad will say “Joey, watch that thing! Be careful with that thing!”
I also do other things, too, that my parents are not always so happy about. For example, I have to wait in the hallway or living room until our guests are fully in the house before I’m allowed to greet them. I’m pretty strong and I can knock some people over, so my parents established this rule. (Honestly, I don’t always obey.) This is because my parents want our guests to be safe. It also helps to keep me inside. A lot of smaller dogs run outside as soon as the door opens for guests, and then, they run into the street and some get hit by cars. So my parents want to protect our guests, and they want to protect me.
Snow? That’s a good question. I’m a little more sensitive to cold now that I’m older, but still, once I get moving in the cold and snow, I’m very very happy. People don’t realize that even with the snow on the ground, there’s still so much to smell!
My sister Rosie wears a little sweater in the cold; she and I just took a walk together yesterday and I got to see her sweater. She and I are both skinny dogs. But I don’t wear anything. You remember my first post: My parents gave up on me wearing a coat soon after we took that delightful walk in the falling snow.
Thank you, Marion, for being my friend, and for being a friend of good people and good dogs!
Your pal,
Joey