Anita Jones
I have a special connection to animals (especially dogs), and they have a special connection to me.
My name is Anita Jones, and I live in Detroit, Michigan, where I was born and raised. I’m the mother of a grown daughter, and I am a retired executive assistant.
Background
When I was born, my parents brought me home from the hospital to three older siblings and a very young Doberman Pinscher puppy named Duke. Duke and I grew to be very close. Best friends. Duke is responsible for my being a great dog lover!
When I was ten years old, I started handwriting a story about Duke and me. I didn’t finish it. I put it in the family Bible and forgot about it for many, many decades. By that time, I had been blessed with guardianship over 14 dogs throughout the years. Duke died of old age complications when we were both 12 years old. I don’t know what made me remember the story about Duke, but I’m glad I did because remembering him inspired me to write “My 15 Dogs: A 55-Year Journey of Love.”
I now have dog-guardianship over my 16th dog, Shadow, whom I found on the street back in 2007. He was about a year old, weighed less than 40 pounds, and was nothing but skin and bones! I fed him and took him to the Michigan Humane Society. I told the shelter representatives that I wanted to adopt him if no one came to claim him. After about a week, I got a call from the Michigan Humane Society informing me that I could come and pick up my dog. I named him “Shadow” because he’s a black Lab, and boy does he live up to his name! He follows me everywhere. Sadly, on September 11, 2020, Shadow was euthanized due to bone cancer. When I think of him, he brings a smile to my face and a feeling of warmth to my heart. He was such a lovable dog. We had a shared love for 13 years!
My current dog (#17) is Little Girl. She is a five-year-old Shih Tzu and has been a part of my life since early 2017.
Did I mention the birds? I have a few bird feeders in my backyard. It’s amazing to watch them, especially in the Spring and Summer. I get quite a variety of birds visiting my feeders and eating the seeds that I toss on the ground. I have two male pheasants that are regular visitors to my backyard. I’ve named them “Phil” and “Phineas.” Believe it or not, they actually will come when called (if they’re within earshot of my voice!). It is truly something to see!
You know that old saying, “kill two birds with one stone,” well, I’ve changed that saying to: “feed two birds with one seed.”
That sounds better!
Thanks for visiting our site!