From Lupe the Piano-Playing Cat to a House Full of Dogs: Why I Have a Soft Spot for Rescue Animals
Earlier this week, I was told about something happening at the White Horse Auto Wash on Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
It's called Wash for a Cause, a fundraiser supporting a no-kill dog rescue, and it caught my attention.
I've had quite a history with animals, particularly dogs. And when I say history, I mean we've had quite the collection over the years.
Before I get to the fundraiser, allow me to take you on a little trip down memory lane. The story of dogs in my family is wild. But, as you'll see, it actually starts with a cat.
It all started with Lupe.
At some point, we brought home a cat. I think we got her for free at a store that had adoptable cats. It was one of those hardware-store-type places, something like Ace Hardware.
I named her Lupe, which means wolf in Spanish. I think I heard the name on a children's television show, possibly Sesame Street.
Lupe was not your average cat.
She was an indoor/outdoor cat with a few special talents. She rang the doorbell when she wanted in. Yes, you read that correctly. She figured out the doorbell!
She also played our piano.
I can't make this stuff up.
Lupe lived a very long life, although it wasn't without incident. She survived a couple of hit-and-run encounters, brought rodents and birds into the house, and kept us entertained with her various adventures.
She also had a few litters during her lifetime.
Lupe was quite the character.
The Doberman who never made it home
While Lupe was still around, my father took us to look at a dog—a Doberman.
We were getting excited about the possibility of bringing this dog home. I believe we were trying to prepare Mom for the idea.
Then Mom said something that has stayed with me for more than 40 years.
And I'm not mixing up the words.
"If you bring this dog home, I'm going to cook it."
Yes. That was the response.
Now, my mother is from Taiwan, and I'm not going to get into cultural stereotypes or make assumptions about what people eat. But I can tell you that statement ended the discussion pretty quickly.
There was some family strife, and the Doberman never made it into our home.
Apparently, the dog had been voted off the island before it even arrived.
Enter Buddha: The 160-pound surprise.
Lupe eventually passed away. We still had fish and birds around the house, and I was off at college at CCNY.
One weekend, I came home.
And there was... Buddha.
A BIG puppy.
My first thought was, "Are we watching him for the weekend? Are we fostering him? Am I in an alternate dimension? What happened?"
Apparently, on her way home from work, Mom had seen Buddha and decided to bring him home.
Just like that.
Buddha was a Rottweiler-Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. He grew into an enormous dog, easily 160 pounds or more.
He was strong. Really strong.
But he was also a big, goofy, gentle dog.
Well, most of the time.
One time, he pushed through a wooden panel fence in the backyard to warn people not to mess with the house. He was protective, and when he decided something wasn't right, you knew about it.
Buddha was quite a presence.
Princess, Buster, and the Rottweiler years
Then came Princess, a full Rottweiler.
She was awesome. Gentle, obedient, loving, and just a wonderful dog. My ex-wife absolutely loved her.
Then my ex-wife and I brought home Buster.
We were supposedly looking at puppies at a farm whose main purpose was to help children and adults with developmental and other challenges.
You know how this story goes.
We were looking.
There was a Rottweiler puppy, and somehow we ended up putting down a deposit. Then came the job of convincing the in-laws we were living with that we absolutely needed this dog.
And somehow, Buster came home in a 1998 Volkswagen Cabriolet GLS.
I'm still not entirely sure how we managed that, but we did.
Buster was another fantastic dog. Loving, obedient, protective of the family, and incredibly gentle with children.
He was the kind of dog who could make you feel safe while still being a big softie with the people he loved.
And then the household became a dog convention
After Buster, the collection continued.
We brought home Bubba, a hound-Lab mix.
Then Jojo, a Chihuahua weighing about five pounds, if that.
Then Jackie, another Chihuahua, around 25 pounds, with enormous ears. The jury is still out on whether Jackie was actually a purebred Chihuahua. Those ears were something else!
Then came Tank and Tinkerbell, sibling Rottweilers.
And let's not forget Meatball, an English Bulldog.
My parents eventually brought home Shirley, another Rottweiler.
At this point, I think we had moved beyond being a family with pets. We were operating an unofficial animal sanctuary!
Looking back, there were a lot of personalities, a lot of barking, a lot of feeding, and plenty of memories.
Every dog had a different temperament and personality. Some were big, some were small, some were protective, some were goofy, and all of them left their mark.
Are dog parents happier and healthier?
I've come across studies and articles suggesting that having a dog can have benefits beyond companionship.
I did a little reading, and organizations like the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Heart Association have discussed some of these benefits.
Here are a few things that stood out to me:
More physical activity: Dogs need walks, playtime, and opportunities to get outside. That can encourage their humans to move more, too.
Less loneliness: Having a dog provides companionship and can help people feel less isolated.
Stress relief: Interacting with animals may help reduce stress and blood pressure.
More social interaction: Walking a dog can create opportunities to meet neighbors and other dog owners.
Emotional support: Dogs can provide comfort, affection, routine, and a sense of purpose.
Potential cardiovascular benefits: Some research has found associations between dog ownership and better cardiovascular outcomes, although that doesn't mean owning a dog guarantees better health.
The CDC discusses pet companionship, physical activity, and potential health benefits here:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/about/
The American Heart Association also has a great overview:
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets/pet-owners
And the NIH has an interesting article called The Power of Pets:
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
Of course, owning a dog also comes with responsibilities. Veterinary bills, food, grooming, training, exercise, and making sure the animal receives proper care.
A dog isn't a novelty or an accessory. It's a commitment.
But if you've ever had a dog greet you like you've been gone for 10 years when you've only been out for 10 minutes, you understand there's something pretty special about that relationship.
My soft spot for rescue dogs
I've always had a soft spot for rescue dogs.
Whether they're being fostered through an organization or waiting for a family at a shelter, I like the idea of giving an animal another opportunity.
I've considered adopting through an organization called Bullies to the Rescue, which operates in North and South Carolina.
I was looking into bringing a dog into my life, but then things happened with Mom and her care. That became the priority, and I had to put the adoption idea on pause.
That doesn't mean the interest has gone away.
I still think about it, and I still like the idea of giving a rescue dog a home.
Sometimes the timing just isn't right. And when you're taking on other responsibilities, you have to consider whether you can give a new pet the time and attention it deserves.
That's part of being a responsible pet parent, too.
Wash for a Cause: Here's how you can help
Now, back to the reason I started writing this post.
I was told earlier this week about the Wash for a Cause fundraiser at White Horse Auto Wash in Mount Pleasant.
According to the information shared with me, dogs will be available for adoption, along with other ways to support the cause.
>Here's the location:
White Horse Auto Wash
2154 SC-41
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
If you're local, consider stopping by.
You can get your car washed, support a rescue effort, meet some dogs, and maybe even find a new family member.
There's a Lowe's Foods supermarket and a Starbucks nearby, so if you adopt a new friend, you have a couple of places to make a quick stop before heading home with your new companion.
And if you're adopting more than one, well, that's between you and your new pack!
Give a dog a second chance
I've had a lot of animals in my life. From Lupe, the cat who rang the doorbell and played the piano, to Buddha, the 160-pound Rottweiler-Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, to all the dogs who came after, they’ve given me plenty of memories.
I know what it's like to have a dog become part of the family.
And I know plenty of dogs out there are waiting for that opportunity.
You don't necessarily need to adopt to help. You can support a rescue organization, volunteer, foster, donate supplies, or simply share information about animals looking for homes.
My hope is that if you're in the Mount Pleasant area, you'll consider stopping by White Horse Auto Wash on November 14.
Maybe you'll leave with a clean car. Maybe you'll leave having made a donation to a good cause. Or maybe you'll meet a dog who changes your life.
And if you aren't ready to adopt, that's okay, too. Supporting the people who rescue and care for these animals still makes a difference.
A little kindness, a little compassion, and maybe a little dog hair on the furniture. What's not to love?