Last year, I posted my two babies, Torry and Cheyenne. JF's post reminded me of another - here's Crash - part Black Lab and part Dalmatian (all black with polka dotted toes).
Crash was adopted, I was her 3rd owner. City dog, should not have been She had been abused as a puppy, the assholes used something called dominance aggression on her. When I first got her from a friend, I went to pet her goodbye, and she opened my hand. Surprised her when I did not beat her, simply sent her to her bed while I took care of the bleeding.
She got to a point where I could pet her at any time, even when she was lying down. We used to play a game I called Cujo where I would pat her cheeks and she would bare her teeth growl a little and make like she was going to take my hand off - but never did. She gave soft, wet, slow "Crash" kisses.
She learned to chase bunnies on a ranch in Wyoming. Best part was when she buggered a nest and went in circles trying to figure out which one to chase - by which time all were gone.
She developed bad arthritis, skin tumors, etc. Still tried to keep up with the puppies when we went to the hills on the ranch, and I would have to send her home. Left the house doors unlocked, I knew she would destroy anyone who did not belong there.
She left us in July 2007, barely able to walk, falling down all of the time, incontinent, but still a sweet dog who enjoyed her life with me. I had the vet put her down. I would have done it, but she had so much violence in her life, I wanted her to leave quietly and peacefully, and she did, cradled in my arms.
I cried like a damn kid.
This is Crash near the end.