My Bubba, my friend

MY BUBBA MY FRIEND

Bubba at 9 weeks old Bubba with Chris and Bubba at 10 months old

This month, my Bubba has been with our family for 8 years.

His birthday is in Dec. but I think his becoming part of the Stephenson family is a more special time.

He was 8 weeks old when Chris and I drove to Conyers, GA to get him.

We had decided on a male miniature red dachshund and I found a litter in the AJC.

The couple that we got him from were very nice......I told her what we were looking for and she had one that fit the description, she also had a male red sable (a little darker), they were from the same litter. So, I asked to meet both. they were only suppose to get 8 pounds......(well, I now know that if you are buying a dog, you must ask to see the parents. That being said we love Bub no matter what his size).

Oh how cute they were, little wienies running all around the room.

The little red guy was running and playing so much he did not have time for me. But, the little red sable boy stopped playing and climbed into my lap for a brief moment. That was it.....he was now Benjamen Buford Blue...Bubba for short. He whimpered all the way home and I was in puppy heaven.

I wanted Bubba to be my baby, Jake my real baby was 15 and active in sports and school, so Bubba was spoiled rotten. I did a lot of things wrong when raising him. I treated him more like a human than a dog and it really back fired on us.

Bubba became my protector, he became aggressive toward others and so protective of me. At first it was "funny" and "cute". In my eyes I had a dog that adored me and I adored him......

What could be wrong with that?????

Well, as I later learned and now strive to tell others

A LOT!

Bubba was so loved by me, but hated by everyone else.....he had bitten some of my best friends and terrorized Jake's friend. It was terrible!!!!

I had created a monster, not on purpose of course, I just wanted a dog that loved me.

During the time when Bubba was maturing, my family was going through major turmoil. Chris and I planned to build our dream house, so our house went up on the market......six days later it sold. Our new home was under construction.....nowhere near ready and we had to move out. We moved into a rental house that Chris had in the same neighborhood. That same summer my mother was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. My sister Tina and I began alternating staying with mom. After just 6 weeks my mom died, we were devastated.

I had started a new full time job at UWG and there was my new little pup.......he sensed my stress and reacted to it in a very negative way. He lashed out at anything that he perceived as a threat to me.

After everything had calmed down some, I realized that something had to be done about my Bubba, he was not happy, and it was not his fault.

Best friends, Bubba and Harley the early years

I began to do research on the problem, I read books, I searched the net, I called professionals.....Bubba had to be fixed and I was determined to do it. I loved this little dog and he was MY responsibility!

I began crate training him, showing my dominance over him. I took him to training classes and to a vet for help. We started him on Bach Flower herbs and pressure point therapy. Bubba and I became the butt of many jokes........Tammie's dog is in therapy.........

I really didn't care what people thought, I would laugh along with them.But it would not be long until my Bubba became everyone's favorite dog. I was always asked...... How's Bubba? When people would come over they wanted to see Bubba, people were amazed at the transformation. I still have people marvel over the change that came over him.

Bubba is my friend. He has been through a lot here in the Stephenson Pack. I am happy to say that he is very comfortable and secure here. He loves visitors and he loves his family....and we love him!


Bubba's morning coffee


Bubba and Sugar

my two wienies

My Bubba.....

My friend.