They call them Reconstructs

       Something different for a change.  Usually, I start off on subject and wander off about midway through the story.  This time maybe we'll start off out in left field an mosey back in to the subject matter through the back door.....

    In the early eighties there was a big thing with pick up trucks.  'Reconstructs' they called them.  Guys would buy old, wrecked trucks and assemble a truck using parts from several different ones.  I purchased one.  It was a beauty too.  Fresh dark gray paint, a Chevy cab, a GMC bed, a three quarter ton truck with one ton axles 350 four barrel engine, 4 wheel drive 4 speed transmission  very solid truck..  would go anywhere and haul anything you could stack on it .  But always wondered  "What kind of truck is it ?"  It was like a Johnny Cash Cadillac.

    I only bring this up because I firmly believe that Animal shelters are doing the same thing with animals.  Hear me out!   

    Recently we rescued a dog from the local shelter.  A year and a half old Cocker Spaniel (or so they say)  Back story is he was dropped off not far from our home where he wandered around for several months before getting hit by a car.  He was then taken to the vets and treated for very minor injuries and then taken to the shelter.  He spent a few weeks there where they gave him his shots and all the necessary attention boy dogs need...lol  plus what I called a 'prison haircut'   I'm sure it was better than the matting but not too much better. Anyway we saw him on the website and decided he needed another chance, so we brought him home.  Pretty pup with the darkest soul searching brown eyes imaginable.  Then I started noticing things....  First thing was his feet. I think they may have come off of a Newfoundland.  Huge.  Almost resembling brown bear paws..  I thought it was all hair but after grooming they are still huge.  Secondly his front legs are as strong as a kangaroo and as nimble as a raccoon.  When we wrestle, he will lay on his back and wrap those giant bear paws around my arm and immobilize me.  This where he does his Alligator impression!   He will snap and growl like a lion but lay on his back and chew my arm ever so gently.  He won't open his mouth to my wife but seems to like the taste of me..(of course with no provocation on my part)   I'm not sure where they got the parts to build this dog but I'd almost bet he's a reconstruct.  Too many parts don't match.  He thinks he's a lap dog  NOT  He wakes up in the morning.. yawns.. stretches .. picks up one of his toys and don't put it down to it's time for bed..   Wears me out.  But you know it's all worth it when I see him looking through the glass door or looking down from the deck each time I come home.  I've had dogs all my life and when we lost our last ones, we said NO MORE DOGS !   That lasted a little over a year.  He has made the last couple months almost bearable.   People say we saved him... I think it's the other way around.