Billy Tucker 05/10/2005 In December of last year I posted two articles, Rufus 1 and Rufus 2, intending to write a series on the dog of that name. In the event, it never happened, mainly because I realized that it was a very long story indeed and too much to take on in addition to everything else I was doing.There are tales of other dogs that are more suitable for blogging, however, and today I feel like talking of Billy. He was the first dog my father owned when we returned to England and, like most of his dogs, he was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a Staffie.I grew up with Staffies and would never have anything but that breed. But my father stumbled upon the Staffie purely by chance and so took time to realize how special they were; he experimented at times with other breeds, once a Boxer and later with two Bull Terriers (bred from the Staffie but not as intelligent). By the time he and my mother followed me back to England, he had learned his lesson and knew that only a Staffie would do.Once they had settled into their new house, my father decided it was time to have a dog again; he began to look around for a Staffie. The one that took his fancy was up in Chesterfield, about an hour's drive north of Coventry. We planned an expedition to see this Staffie and I was to be a part of it, to hold on to the dog on the way back, should we decide that he was the right one. A four year old Staffie can be quite a handful if unused to traveling in cars.We found the right house and were ushered through to the back yard, where the owner released the Staffie from the shed where he'd been kept. The dog erupted from the doorway and began to run around the yard like a mad thing, only pausing for brief seconds to greet us. Had we not known Staffies, we might have thought he'd gone mad, but it was quite obvious to us that he was desperate for exercise, that he'd been cooped up in that shed for far too long.It was also quite clear that he'd been half starved; his coat was staring (dog breeder language for a coat that is too thin and dull), his ribs were showing and a Staffie's ribs are normally covered by hard muscle. But we could see that, in spite of his poor condition, he was a good Staffie, with heart and temperament. I think my father would have bought him whatever he looked like, just to get him out of those terrible conditions but, as it was, the dog gained a good home and we all came to know a truly great dog. His name was Billy.On the way home, I remembered that I'd brought some sandwiches for lunch with me. I produced them and Billy was all over me immediately. He would not take them or fight me for them (this is a Staffie we're talking about) but it was clear that he was so hungry that it took an effort for him to remember who was in charge. I gave him all the sandwiches and they disappeared in an instant.We fed him again when we arrived back at my father's house. He devoured everything we put in front of him and then looked around for more. And that was to remain his attitude towards food for the rest of his life; his experience had taught him to eat while he could. My father was amused at his insatiable appetite and renamed him Tucker but I always preferred his original name and called him so. In time, he became the dog with a first name and a surname: Billy Tucker.With proper food and exercise, Billy filled out in a matter of a few days and attained the potential that both my father and I had seen in that starved, half-crazed creature that emerged from the shed. He was one of the best-looking Staffies I've ever seen, a brindle in color (for some unknown reason, the brindles are always the best). More importantly, he had that sharp intelligence that is the mark of the true Stafford. And his temperament was typical too; sure of himself, proud of his humans and devoted to them, always ready to play but serious about his responsibilities, above looking for a fight with other dogs but a killer if they insisted.People do not understand this about Staffies. They know that the dog was bred for fighting, see the muscled body, square skull and massive cheeks, and assume an aggressive nature lurks within. But the real Stafford has nothing to prove. He knows full well that he's the finest fighting machine of the canine world and has no need to go looking for a fight, as a Bull Terrier will do. And he's a gentleman as well; nothing will provoke him to fight a dog smaller than himself. I have seen the perplexed look in a Staffie's eye when beset by some Yorkshire Terrier or some other yapping miniature. The Staffie walks on, pretending not to notice the pandemonium of sound and fury erupting at his heels. Only the glance directed at his master shows that he knows what is going on, the glance that says, "Boss, if I bite this thing once, I'll break it. What can I do?"And that was typical of Billy, a gentleman to the core. He became part of the family, like a wise and ever-present old uncle.I read somewhere that dogs acquire an understanding of about 100 human words but Staffies extend this to 500. Personally, I think this is a gross underestimate and Billy demonstrated often that he understood whatever was said. Just one story out of many is sufficient evidence of this.Every Sunday, my father was in the habit of taking Billy in the car to open fields where he could have his fill of exercise. My father would leave by the back door, get the car from the garage and bring it around to the front door. Then he would re-enter the house and get Billy, who would be waiting at the door, trembling with his eagerness to go. Billy knew when it was Sunday and understood the arrangement so that, when my father prepared to leave, Billy would go immediately to the front door to wait.On one occasion, my father decided to break the routine and take Billy to the garage with him, so avoiding having to drive the car around to the front of the house. As he got up to leave, Billy rushed to the front door. My father emerged from the living room, saw Billy at the front door and said conversationally, "No, Billy, today we're going straight out by the back door."That was enough for Billy. He shot past my father and was there at the back door immediately, ready to go.There were many occasions like that, when Billy would show just how much he understood of human speech. But that is quite normal in a Staffie; any owner will tell you the same and back it up with countless examples.Billy grew old with my father and died a short while before him. They were both fit until right near the end and remained good friends and companions, often seen far from home on one of their walking expeditions.May they both rest in peace.
Clive
Ken A lovely story, Gone Away. As an old Africa hand, have you ever read "Jock of the Bushveld" by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick? If not, I think you might really enjoy it! Date Added: 05/10/2005
Gone Away Have read it many times, Ken. In fact, I have pushed it in a few earlier posts! ;) Date Added: 05/10/2005
Broken Messenger Great story, thank you Clive. Brad Date Added: 05/10/2005
Mad I was there that day we picked up Billy and he'll always be the blue-print of a true staffie in my mind. I remember one time Keith and I were walking Billy over the wedge and he was being his normally self; charging around at warp speed. We entered a field that happened to have some horses in it. We didn't think anything of it as Billy had seen horses before. But on this occasion things didn't go smoothly. He bounced over the horses, just to see what they were up too and they took immediate offence at his presence and charged him. Billy looked at the huge creatures pounding down towards him and deciding that discretion was the better part of valour he turned and fled; straight past Keith and I. Which of course means that the horses are now charging us! We too turned and fled just in time to see Billy shoot under the five-foot fence that surrounded the field. Now I can tell you that I cannot jump a five-foot fence but with the sound of galloping hooves in our ears we both cleared the fence without even touching the top rail. Awaiting us on the other side was Billy with a big staffie grin on his face as if to say: "that was fun huh!?"It took me and Keith quite some time to recover. Date Added: 05/10/2005
Sarah wow. the first thing I thought of here was Jock of the Bushveld. touching. very touching. sorry to change subject.. but wont you please look at my blog for a couple of seconds and either approve the button i made for your site or make me one to put up please? I'd have to limit you to 170x63 pixels though. Thanks Date Added: 06/10/2005
Gone Away Thanks, Brad! Date Added: 06/10/2005
Gone Away I remember that too, Mad. Funny thing about Billy - he seemed always to be having problems with large animals. There were those cows that followed him in the field by Kenilworth Castle, f'rinstance... Date Added: 06/10/2005
Gone Away Jock was a Staffie too, Sarah - no wonder he came to mind. ;) Your site is looking great now and the button is fantastic! Hey Mad, go to Sarah's site and see the button she made for the link to us - I know you'll love it! Note also that the whole site is Sarah's; it's a home-made just like this one. :) Date Added: 06/10/2005
keeefer Ahhh Billy Tucker, he was a lovely dog. I notice you have neglected to mention that, if the event had exhisted, he would have won champion farter at crufts year in year out. I kid you not fellow readers, this dog could create a stench so vile that your eyes would stream with its potency. You would be sat around in the lounge chatting away when suddenly the person nearest Billy would scrabble frantically for a lighter and begin waving its naked flame around them. As the noxious vapour rolled across the room so others would follow suit until you were sat there on couches staring down at the dog, ampitheatre style, holding aloft your torch at the Billy Tucker nasal experience lounge tour. Date Added: 06/10/2005
Gone Away ROFLOL You're right, Keef, I'd forgotten that. Even as Staffies go, Billy was a great noxious fumes creator. And your description of the torchlight adoration of the Great Billy is spot on! Date Added: 06/10/2005
Ashley Wonderful. Never found myself so enthralled in someone else's memories of a pet. Date Added: 06/10/2005
Gone Away Thank you, Ashley. Actually, it's easy when you're talking about Staffies... ;) Date Added: 06/10/2005
Janus I remember a while back I posted about Understanding your pet and you first mentioned Billy the dog that knew at least 500 words. I am glad to hear more of the story, though I regret for the loss of two very good influences in your life. I never adopted a pet in my life, my pets have always come to me. My house was a shelter for strays in a rural area with no pounds and shelters. I am so happy to hear that you were able to bring that dog back to health and that it lived a filling and loving life. Beautiful writing Clive, and hoping to read more as always Date Added: 06/10/2005
Gone Away Thanks, Janus. That business of being a shelter for strays - reminds me of another story... More blogging material! Date Added: 06/10/2005
John Ah! You are touching my heart here Clive! Great story. I just love dog stories, and I admire the Staffie, even though my dog Rocky, is a Toy Poodle, but clever, just like Billy! :) Give us more! GBYAY Date Added: 06/10/2005
Gone Away Funny you should say that, John - Janus up there just reminded me of another dog story and this time it wasn't a Staffie... Date Added: 07/10/2005
Scot Clive: First, congratulations on your one year anniversary with blogging. Second, I really enjoyed reading such a well-written personal narrative that serves as a poignant tribute to both your father and your boyhood "pal." What especially impressed me, though, was how well I got a sense of Billy's personality, and the friendship you developed with him. Date Added: 07/10/2005
Gone Away Thanks, Scot - a year in servitude to the blog; no small matter! ;) But I think I have misled you as regards my age when Billy was around. I was married and had a son already at the time. We lived fairly close to my parents and so visited quite often and also looked after Billy when they were away. That's how we came to know him so well. If you want to know of my real boyhood pals, try Whistler. It mentions Rufus, the dog of my teenage years and tells just a little about him. Some day I will tell his full story but that is a very long tale (but not tail!). Date Added: 07/10/2005
Scot Clive: Guess I was thrown off a bit. Still a poignant tribute, nevertheless, but I can see how I easily misconstrued how old you were at the time. I think the confusion could be resolved by establishing the time of the event more clearly at the beginning of your essay. Date Added: 07/10/2005
Gone Away You're quite right, Scot. When I wrote it I was thinking of the dog and failed to notice me in the background... ;) Date Added: 07/10/2005
keeefer I thought it was quite clear it was in your later years. After all you do mention the use of an automobile....... Date Added: 07/10/2005
Gone Away Which my father drove since it was his car, Keef. The real clue is that my parents "followed me back to England". But it's a bit obscure, I know... Date Added: 07/10/2005
keeefer Actually i was implying that in your youth the Automobile was just a dream. It was subtle i know Date Added: 07/10/2005
Gone Away Too subtle for me, it seems! :D Date Added: 07/10/2005
cj That is so sweet! Date Added: 07/10/2005
Gone Away Thank you, CJ! :) Date Added: 07/10/2005
Ken I'm sorry not to have picked up on those earlier posts at the time, Gone Away, although I was still a blogging babe-in-arms in those far-off days. It's the wonderful marginal illustrations that I like so much. My copy, which I've had for fifty-odd years now came from an uncle who worked in what was then Rhodesia for many years and I can still remember the eye-opening effect it had when I read it for the first time. Your description of Billy Tucker brought Jock straight back into my mind, which I hope you'll take as a compliment to both you and the dog! Date Added: 07/10/2005
Gone Away The highest compliment one could pay a dog, Ken. Billy would have been proud! :) Incidentally, if you have a copy with the original illustrations, hang on to it - they're becoming quite rare. Date Added: 08/10/2005
Ken Thanks for the tip. Date Added: 10/10/2005
Steve A very touching story.I have just resued a half starved Staffie.I have had Ossie who is 13 months old, for a week now and he is the best little dog in the world.We have always had Rottie's before and i loved them dearly,but i have already seen the great potential of this wonderful dog.He has put on quite a bit of weight in this first week and charges around the local park like a thing possesed.A real bundle of fun. Date Added: 09/03/2006
Mad Congratulations Steve you have accepted the king of dogs into your home, I'm willing to bet he will repay you many times over in the coming years! :D Date Added: 09/03/2006
Gone Away And I must second Mad's congratulations, Steve - Ossie will reward you for your rescue with years of loyalty, companionship and fun. Staffies may be little when compared to Rotties but they have the biggest hearts of all! Date Added: 09/03/2006
Steve Thanks Guys.Im already starting to find out that what you say is true.Ossie follows me everywhere already and just seems to adore the kids.It has taken me a while to get another dog,because when my last Rottie Duke had to be put to sleep through cancer (although a good age of ten) it destroyed us all.But i have always had an affection for Staffords and as soon as i saw Ossie I knew we had to help him.Because even though half starved like Billy he was charging around,tail going mad and looking really pleased to see us.Now he is home with us he looks happier still. Date Added: 09/03/2006
Aaron Taylor That is great story.Made me laugh my head of.I have my first 7mth Staffie and love him to. Date Added: 04/07/2006
Gone Away Glad you liked it Aaron. And you are a lucky man - your Staffie will give you years of fun, pleasure and staunch fellowship. :) Date Added: 04/07/2006
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