Sarge's Story

So, there is a lot I could say about our boy Sarge, now in his old age we refer to as 'the grumpy old man', but let's start at the beginning.

I'd wanted a Cane Corso ever since I saw these pictures right here:

I thought they looked like panthers and I loved it. I'd been studying dogs, behavior, training and the such for as long as I can remember. Before cell phones and computers, I would sit for hours with encyclopedias and read about all the different breeds of dogs and what they were bred for. I loved it and when the AKC dog shows came on I was right there, always picking the winner based on breed standard.

So, when I started looking into this particular breed I learned that they are incredible protection dogs that require a strong consistent owner. They can be stubborn and without proper obedience training, would ultimately try to take over the home. Any dog that is raised without proper socialization and at least basic obedience training can ultimately become a threat to its owner and community, so I will always be an advocate of training. Like a child, your dog only knows what you allow and don't allow. They don't come with a pre-installed understanding that you don't want them to chew your shoes or jump on you when they are excited that you've returned home.

Since our family had primarily owned Rottweilers, I was in no way intimidated by the idea of a 100 plus pound dog that could require a strong hand in order to establish hierarchy in my home. At the time I was a single mother with 3 young children, 12, 10 and 8, and the idea of having a large dog that could protect myself and my children was appealing. However I also knew that I would have to be vigilant about ensuring the safety of my children in respect to the dog as well.  I didn't want to take the chance that one of them would be injured due to the dog being large, hyper, uncontrollable or aggressive. So training would start from day one. I set a goal to get a puppy with my next income tax check, knowing that a pup from a good breeder would be costly. This search began in 2008 and ended with me finding my Sarge in 2011.

I'd finally gotten settled in our new home with my children and my now husband and decided that it was time we got our Corso.  I searched the internet and came across an ad for a litter of puppies that were a couple weeks older than what I was looking for (I wanted an 8 week old, still tiny and ready to learn). What I found were 15 week old pups, one of which has a slight medical issue and the breeder was asking significantly less for. I have always been a sucker for a charity case and had to meet this little pup.

My now husband and I rode to Georgia from South Carolina to meet this pup that most people wouldn't have looked twice at due to the issue he had with his eye. But as far as me and my family were concerned he was a perfect addition to our crew. It was love at first sight all the way around.

He came into our lives and fit perfectly as one of the kids. He loved each and every one of them and was eager to learn, picking up commands almost as fast as I could teach them to him.

He spoke body language very well and always knew exactly what we meant when we spoke to him, though sometimes he didn't care. He was far from perfect. We lost several power cords, many stuffed animals and at least two couches to his adolescent antics, but it was a learning experience for all of us.

A few trips to a veterinary specialist revealed that the growth that Sargent had on his eye was called a fibroid and could be removed with some cosmetic surgery but if not, wouldn't impede or impact his quality of life at all. We opted to not put him through an unnecessary surgery if he was going to be fine and able to enjoy his life. And enjoy life he does.

Despite his small size when we got him, he grew into a big beautiful boy that we could always count on to be exactly whoever he wanted to be (within reason). Like I previously mentioned, Sarge decided that he was 'people' a long time ago. I'd say when he was about 5 years old and went on strike against his kennel. It was as if he didn't understand why he had to go into his kennel when we would be away for several hours or when company came over. Everyone else got to say hello to the company, why couldn't he? Nobody else had to sleep in a kennel, why should he? So anytime we would put him in his kennel he would leave us a nice big steaming pile of warm, 

'I knew you were 

about to be back so here's a mess just in time 

for your arrival', to clean up. But, if I took a 

chance and allowed him to stay out of his kennel 

while we were gone, he would find a comfy place 

to sleep that he knew he shouldn't have been on, 

and there would be no mess waiting for us when 

we got home. Like I said, he speaks body language 

very well, and that goes in both directions.

Every day we saw Sarge's personality come together and become the character he is today. He is goofy, lazy, silly, hyper intelligent, stubborn, 

obedient, patient, attentive and always a guardian, even when he himself is terrified. 

Sargent has lived quite the well rounded life for a dog. He's grown up with my children who are now 19, 21 and 23 years old. He's sat at the end of the road as they got off the school bus with friends and walked them home. He's sat by many a teary bedside and provided comfort and is beloved by everyone that has ever met him. Even being welcomed into my own mother's home whenever we are away for any reason. They consider him to be their granddog and even ask about him whenever we visit.

Sarge has had a beautiful girlfriend in Nova and an amazing litter of pups, 16 total, which we thought was incredible for a first litter.

Sarge has had several kitty friends that he loved to run and play with, shared meals with and allowed to cuddle up with him on a regular basis.

To this day, at 11 years old Sarge is still quite the character. He is our 'grumpy old man' who makes you call him at least 3 times just because he can. He is our ever vigilant protector, sleeping at the bedroom doors to ensure that everyone is safe. Our lives would truly be less without him and having him as a part of our lives is a blessing. I don't know who's spirit came back as this outstanding boy, but I am grateful.

In Loving Memory of Our Girl

Nova