Life with Dogs: Part 10-Tula

Tula came to me as a scared, skinny runaway from Chico, CA, age unknown.

She’d recently given birth, had a dry, raggedy coat and kept her tail permanently tucked between her legs.

She refused to jump into a car, but broke three (empty) bowls by jumping onto the kitchen counter in search of food to filch.

She’d had a hard life to that point.

I took her to Holly Park on her first day in Bernal Heights so she could get  a view of her new neighborhood.

Tula never met another dog she didn’t like, or at least tolerate. I saw her growl only a few times, and she had to be taught how to bark again.

Though she always kept an eye on me, She liked and tolerated children of all ages too.

Tula got around.

As my black and white shadow, she traveled from California to points all over the East Coast.

On the Pacific Coast at The Sea Ranch,

At the Brooklyn Bridge with Illustrator Paul O Zelinsky.

And on top of Vermont’s Mt Abraham with Sabin Russell.

 Tula’s favorite spot was belly deep in some body of water.

but she was happy in all weather as long as I was there too.

After any encounter with moisture, she would joyfully roll in grass or sand or the dusty driveway.

Tula was the sweetest dog I’ve ever had and she will be profoundly missed.