My Mama Shar-Pei (Treasure) Was Left Handed

This is just a short memory. Treasure has been gone eight years, but it seems as if it were yesterday that we brought her home. That sweet pup who waited by the door until I went back for her. She knew that I was her human and she, my Shar-Pei, no matter what.

Anyway, she became an absolute part of my life. She went with me everywhere. When I went to work, she was at the door waiting to go and go she did. It was much easier when I finally gave up and work from home. (Easier on me any way!)

Treasure would lie by my desk most of the time when she was inside or not playing with the other animals. She and Shadow became best of friends. She even let Shadow be a second 'Mom' to the two litters of puppies we had.(Another Shadow story there.)

When she wanted something, she always managed to let me know. If I was busy or on the phone and she wanted to go out, she would stand up at the side of my chair and nudge my arm. If that did not work the first time she would nudge me again. If I was really busy, I would tell her to wait or go away. Then she would stand at the side of my chair again and reach with her left paw and turn my head so that I would have to look at her.

Now Miss T was not a small dog. She was over seventy (70) pounds of muscle and loose skin. She was not a dog to ignore; she knew who was the head bitch (me), but she also knew that I would listen to reason, (sometimes). When she turned a paw to move something, it was moved. So, all though she was always gentle, she did insistent upon your attention being focused on her at certain times.

I said at the beginning that Treasure was left handed, or left pawed if you prefer, and she was. Anytime she reached out to touch one of us (the family of humans who surrounded her) or her puppies or Shadow, it was always with her left paw. I never saw her use her right paw for any gentle touching. 

Once a neighbor brought a small dog over with her to visit (strange I thought since I did not know this neighbor well). When I say small dog, we are talking under two pounds at the most. Treasure walked into the room, looked at this 'dog' and promptly put her left paw on top of the dog to make it hold still for inspection. There was no growling or showing of teeth, no bitting or hurting in any way. Nevertheless, the little one was frightened, the neighbor angry and Treasure was calm - walked out of the room and went back outside. I think she just wanted to see what the little thing was that was walking around her living room floor. When the neighbor finally felt, I was in tears from laughing so hard. (Really, it was funny!)

A friend saw Treasure pat my cheek one day and was amazed that an animal would 'pet' a person. I supposed that I was used to Miss T's ways and had not even thought about it. She was loving, giving (as in gift bringing), gentle, protective and loyal. She slept at the foot of my bed every night of our lives together. I sometimes can still hear her snoring when I am falling asleep or just starting to wake up in the mornings. Life is strange that way. Keeping our loved ones close to us in our near conscious state of mind. And I thank God for that gift!

You might like to know how Treasure came to be in our lives. Please see True Treasure.

Or if you want to know about Shadow. Click here.