Spot

 

The dog of Grandmother's that I remember was Spot. Spot was an English Bull Terrier, a big white dog with a black spot over one eye. Bob sent him to her from Mexico while he was working on his father in law’s ranch. WWII was grinding on, about to enter its fifth year, none of Grandmother’s children or grandchildren were left at home, and she was lonesome.

            She confided in Bob in a letter so he sent Spot, a lion dog. English Bull Terriers are big and strong and were used by the ranchers down in Mexico to hunt cougars, which sometimes attack their herds. Maybe not the ideal pet for an elderly lady, but Grandmother wasn’t your average spinster. She gave Spot all the love he needed to make him a loyal, devoted companion.

            Tom, my mother’s youngest brother, came home every once in a while. He was living in Oklahoma City at the time where he owned a bar. Uncle Tom was like a big kid, and he loved animals. He had an Arabian Horse. It was small but beautiful, blonde with a long flowing mane and tail. He called her “Lady” and taught her to kneel, to prance and to follow commands he gave by pressing her sides with his feet and knees. At home he made Spot feel like a puppy again, running with him through the house. I remember one time Tom ran into the dining room with Spot on his heels. Tom ran across the room and Spot jumped on the dining room table, sliding across with tablecloth, salt and pepper shaker, and flower vase all landing on the floor on the other side. At this point Grandmother sprang into action, grabbing her broom and swinging it at Tom as she chased him through the house.

            Spot had one ability which made him quite famous in the neighborhood. He could climb trees. Grandmother’s yard wasn’t completely enclosed, but there was a fence bordering the street and sidewalk on one side. In order to give Spot a little fresh air, Grandmother would tie him to a Chinaberry tree next to the fence. It wasn’t long before he learned to climb up on a tree branch to watch the cars and people go by. He made a lot of friends that way, and caused a lot of double takes by people driving by. It wasn’t unusual for drivers to circle the block just to make sure that really was a dog sitting in the tree.

            The following is from a letter Grandmother wrote in 1946. She describes getting in late one night:              

I went out to see Spot. he came to the fence to look at me. neither one of us spoke. then I came in to see if I could find anything for him to eat. & there wasn’t one scrap of anything so I cooked him some oat meal & took that to him & then when I came in he cride, so now I bring him in & let him sleep in the rocking chair.      

      

                                    Grandmother and Spot