Horses with No Names- Nothing but a Big Old "Yeller" Dog
This is the fourteenth in a series about the strangers that I meet in my life.
When I was 6 years old my mother brought me to a very old theatre in Montreal to see the Disney film “Old Yeller”. I remember wearing a red wool coat, itchy matching leggings and half way through the movie I peed my pants. The size of the screen and the overpowering volume had scared the droplets right out of me. Because fabric in those days was not made with permanent dye I had scarlet legs for days.
My mother and I cried forever at the end of that movie. She had a delicate whimper with flowing tears while I in turn was screaming my head off. We did not go to an in house movie again for a long time, opting instead for drive ins on the Vermont border.
Tuesday as I was taking the subway to the city this wonderful yellow dog entered the car and his mistress simply said,
“Momma sit!”
Looking at me dead straight in the eyes accompanied by endless tail wagging was the most wonderful yellow dog I had ever seen. The dog had piercing black eyes that had nothing but love in them. We both stared at each other for awhile and I knew I just had to get this dog’s story. I got up and moved next to them and asked owner Shayna if I could do a blog on her dog. She shrugged her shoulders and began to tell me about the life of this big old yeller dog.
The dog’s nickname was “Momma” but her real name was Rossi, named after Carlos Rossi. When Googling the name I have yet to figure out if the dog was named after Carlos Rossi the purveyor of wine or the Venezuelan politician. My money is on the wine.
Rossi was born on the 4th of July from a litter of 11. This dog is so loved by Shayna that I briefly caught a glimpse of Rossi’s head tattooed amongst tiny flowers on her left arm. Now that is devotion as far as I am concerned.
Rossi goes everywhere with Shayna and they both study art, German and archery at a local college. The duo also visit a lot of music venues together and I bet Rossi does not flinch an inch when she hears loud noise like I did as a child. She does not beg for anything and sits quietly beside food until she smells one thing. Once this Rottweiller Mastiff mix eyes fresh cheese you had better produce it quickly or else.
I have never seen a dog so relaxed as Rossi climbed up on the seat to be next to her owner. Shayna in turn casually put her arm down on Rossi who in return just let out one long loving sigh.
As they left Rossi had no idea she was on her way to Monterey to play in the surf which she dearly loves. As they exited she glanced from side to side to make sure all was well for her and her beloved Shayna. Did I also mention that Rossi is a registered service dog? That’s right she is a service dog that specializes in love.
Images and Text: Linda Seccaspina 2011
Dedicated to Catherine Forsythe and to her knowledge and love of the canine world.
Katie Coates: "If that dont beat all. I never saw such a dog."
Travis Coates: "And you wont never see another one like him! "
Old Yeller
"Horses with No Names Series"
Number 13- The Pay it Forward Caveman
Number 12- The People's Father Christmas
Number 11- The Busking Teachers
Number 1o - The Harry Potter Boy
Number 9 The Last Skull of Savannah Devilles
Number 8 Strippers, Burlesque and a Dream
Number 7 The Ponderings of Priscilla
Number 5 The Strange Tail that came at Dusk
Number 2 The Flea Market Professor
" Short Shorts"- by Linda Seccaspina
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Comments
Yserba.. : Hugs my friend..
Rossi and Shanya (worn pants) look so lovable - I thought of Robert Frost's poem`
Two Tramps - In Mud Times
The sun was warm
But the wind was chill
You know how it is with
An April day
When the sun is out and
The wind is still
Your month one month
On in the middle
But if you so much as dare
To speak,
A cloud will come over the
Sunlight arch
And wind comes off the
Frozen peak,
And your two months back
In the middle of March.
-
`
I love hobo, tramps etc,
and real muddy people.
You sure entertain OS.
When something hits me it hits me and I have to write about it. As soon as the dog came in I sat there and thought and thought and said go write about this dog hahaha
Eve: I sent it to her. She has great love for humans and animals. I could not think of a better person to dedicate it too.
I loved that.
the Love in that train was catching with the two of them. Now if everyone could have love like that.
Hugs Jon.. your blog made me remember today the old school days..:(
Rugrat: same to you..HUGGGGGGGGGG
Rei: I seldom do animal stories but this dog and her owner spoke to me..:)
♥R
HUGGGGGGG
Fusun: I seldom do pet stories so this was fun
lives in my heart
for all dogs
the look in their eyes
the way of their tails
when they bark
there is a reason
not just because they
are angry or sad
I too, fell in love
with "Momma"
want her sitting
on the seat next to me
studying art and German
shooting arrows into the sky
hanging out
listening to cool music
or riding the BART
gotta love them
and this wonderful post
Rated with love
Belinda: Old Yeller and Thomasina are still two of my faves.
HUGGGGGGGGG
rated~
Kimberley: I am sure it is
Bluestocking.. Rossi was too cool for her school:)
lea: I am sure we do.. I am sure that sigh is nothing but contentment
Susie: I am sure Shayna would never let anything happen to Rossi too
May: Old Yeller should be watch by everyone and Thomasina
Now THAT'S love and devotion!
Wonderful series, Linda. Congratulations on the EP!
but this was one nice dog
Little kate: I cried when I saw it.. today is our anniversary.. made it all the more special
Disco Fett: the first one has the American song. We expanded after that..:) I have never tried Dr Rossi hahaha. I am so allergic too so that is why I live through others
Robin.. thanks and huggggggggggggg
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
YAY!!!! : )
HUGGGGGGGGGGG
Now if I could only go play in the water at Monterey.
Scarlet: They just do not make great movies like this anymore with the exception of Marley and Me. As for Monterey I wish hahaha
And I didn't know dogs were allowed on the train either. I can tell I'm going to learn a great deal of new stuff here. Thank you for this story.
The dog was a service dog so she was allowed..
Marsha: Just nothing but hugs to you
Lezlie
Shayna and Momma make a nice couple.
Arlene W: I imagine one does not go anywhere without the other.:) Thanks!
America are an American band, but they initially got together in England, being Air Force brats with Dads stationed there.
Rated Highly
Little Willie: Like Marley and Me..sighhhhhh
Peter: Bow wow and good day to you and your boy..:)
Rei: HUGGGGGGGGGGGG
R
Another steve: What a sweetheart she is.
Zanelle: You betcha
Steve.. HUGGGGGGGGGG
again, with love. I am an asshole, but not to you. I am only an asshole because of the place I have been put in.
~hug~
Congrats on the EP and Ze Cover!! You well deserve it!!!!!
Rated by Tink, who still, writes ze shit!! :D
Loved it. Keep cool !
This is well deserved!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!
I would rate you again if I could....*); D
Trudge.. not as happy as I was when you got one this week.:)
Christine: me too!!
Donnuts: Brassawe started all of this..
Tink.. pass the toilet paper:)
Donnuts.. 80's music is the best
Margaret: that dog was such a natural she just dropped and got comfy anywhere.
Susie:: HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Thoth: Big hugs to you
Harleeeeeeeeeeeeee: yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :)
I love how you can approach people - I wish I could do the same. Congratulations on the very well-deserved EP!
Schmoopie: There is one person I want to do and we will see if she does it this week.
Alysa: It took a moment to ask but those eyes drove me in for the kill
Paul: marley and me.. old yeller.. get yer Kleenex;s out.:(
The beach! ...that sounds delightful...