...would you like him or her?

This thought has occurred to me on occasion. All of our really special, unique dogs have passed so we're "down" to three dogs now, all JRTs. All were rescues and all had issues of one sort or another.

One was born deaf and has also needed several eye surgeries. He's lost one eye and can't really see out of the other. For all his handicaps he's pretty high-functioning and doesn't require any special attention. But he acts totally stupid most of the time. He's a total PITA just due to his personality. Really, his only redeeming quality is he's extremely protective of my wife...as much as a 16 pound JRT can be, anyway.

The youngest was badly abused (to the point of needing surgery on a leg) before being abandoned at the local shelter. When we first brought him home even just looking at him would cause him to piddle. He was frightened by everything. But, we've had him 4 years now and, while he's still fairly timid, he no longer piddles. He's still really needy and has some annoying habits but he's probably the sweetest dog I've ever seen. Our female terrier is his hero and I really think he'd be lost without her.

Our only female is a really strong-willed alpha dog. But she doesn't really know how to be an alpha dog...it's like she's always out to prove something. She gets along fine with male dogs but won't tolerate another female at all.

So, while I love them all as dogs, I don't think I'd like them as people.