I look at Hemming and I get so mad!  We are pretty darn sure that this dear thing was used time and time again as a back yard breeder. She is so, well, worn.  But her eyes... Oh, there is still light in them.  she looks like an English Bulldog but not so extreme, so maybe a touch of the American.   She is a gentle dog, so good on a leash, happy to share her space with people, dogs, whatever.....  She just wants a tender hand.  She wandered into someone's yard.  What's that about?  Decided she was too old to breed and they tossed her out?  Who knows.  Again, I'm mad.  Sweet sweet Hemming.  Gentle as can be.

Oh, her name.  She has six toes on each back paw.  In cats this is called a Hemmingway.  Called a Hemmingway because Ernest Hemmingway had a pair of 6-toed cats at his house in Key West.  They bred and produced 6-toed kittens, who bred and produced 6-toed kittens who bred and.... Well, you get the idea (yeah, Ernest, would of  been a good idea to spay and neuter).  Today the six-toed descendents of the original pair still live at the Hemmingway museum in Key West.  That being said, Amanda wanted to name the dog Hemmingway.  I said no, Hemmingway is a boy name, and besides, we've had too many cats named Hemmingway.  So she said, "How about Ernest?"  Remember the boy thing?  So I said, "Hey, he had a daughter, what was her name?"  Googling and we finally found Margeaux.  So we go with that.  And as I'm writing it up, someone walks by and says "Who's that?" and Amanda says "Hemming but we're calling her something else" and I say "Hemming works!" and now you know how pathetic my day was!!!!  For heave's sake, someone adopt this dog and give her a decent name!!!!

 

Hemming qualifies for our Seniors for Seniors program which means her adoption fee is on $35, if adopted by a senior.  She'd make a great companion for anyone looking for an older dog.

Volunteer update 7/12/2009: Hemming is one of my favorite dogs at the shelter. She is amazingly calm and sweet. She needs nothing more than a nice home were she can sleep her days away while shyly licking her master! She isn't much trouble and really just likes being with people. When ever anyone approaches her crate you can hear the loud "bang bang bang" which is her tail slapping against the crate bottom. She is so happy to just have a glance from someone..can you image how she would feel if she had a home to live in! This girl does well with other dogs as long she they basically leave her alone. She is a bit older and can't be bothered with all that puppy playing. She just wants a soft bed to sleep on and some food to fill her stomach! She has that great bulldog stance in the back legs which make her look like she is a bit bow legged but otherwise is very charming. We have her on glucosime and athritis medication to help ease the stiff muscles in the morning!

 

Foster Update 02/10/10: A most wonderful girl! She has adjusted well to her foster home, she is very loving, follows my daughters and I around the house and sits by us, she loves to be snuggled with and touched! She enjoys her walks in the neighborhood and little runs, she is older, so only runs for about 8 min then likes to slow it down again :)

 

Foster Update 03/12/10: A most lovely old lady! She adapted very quickly to her foster home, loves and craves lots of TLC! She is an indoors dog, happily roams the house while we are out during the day, enjoys her walks morning, afternoon and night. When we are home she follows us around the house and sits happily while one of us is cooking, reading, on the computer or watching t.v. keeping us company! She is great with people and kids, but not so good with other animals, she can be aggressive towards animals and needs a tight hold on her leash when outside. She is one of the most loving, calm, gentle old dogs I have ever met...what a beauty!!!

 

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, Although the English Bulldogs appearance can be somewhat intimidating, it is among the gentlest of dogs. Just the same it will see off any intruder, and few would risk a close encounter with a dog brave enough to bait a bull. It is described as a very affectionate and dependable animal, gentle with children, but known for its courage and its excellent guarding abilities. Bullheaded and stubborn, this breed can be very persistent. They do not give up easily. Bulldogs are very much a peoples dog seeking out human attention and loving every bit it can get!! A lot of human attention is required for the breed's happiness. Some English Bulldogs can be a bit dominating and need an owner who knows how to display strong leadership and understands alpha canine behavior. A Bulldog who understands it's *place* in the human pack, is nice to, and reliable with all people. This breed is good with family pets, but some can be scrappy with strange dogs. When Bulldogs are young, they are full of energy, but slow down as they get older. They snore very loudly, and most have drool and slobber tendencies. Today's bulldog has a very different temperament from those of his ancestors. The breed is descended from the ancient Asiatic mastiff, but its development took place completely in Great Britain. The name bulldog, which is medieval in origin, refers not only to the robust look of a little bull, which this aggressive dog has, but also to the power with which this dog attacked bulls in arena combat before that practice was prohibited by law in the nineteenth century. The English Bulldog is good for apartment life. They are very inactive indoors and will do okay without a yard. This breed is an indoor dog. Bulldogs do best in temperate climates as the breed can chill easily in cold weather and have trouble cooling off in very hot weather. They have an average life span of 8 years. Some live longer while others live shorter lives.