Billdog’s Story
Bill was a charming and unique dog, beloved by all those who meet him. Born around 1992, he was believed to be a cross between a bulldog and bird-dog, affectionately known as a “Billdog”. With his 95% white coat, small brown spots, brown ear, and bobbed brown tail, he is a handsome pooch that stands out in a crowd. At 55 pounds, he was muscular, athletic, fit, and trim.
When Lisa, a friend of Julie’s working at the vet’s office in Ocala, Florida, told her about Bill, he had already been hit by a car and his back leg was injured. Luckily, Dr. Kierstein was kind enough to treat him and keep him there until a new home could be found. Julie and her mother Jessica agreed to take him in, and Bill was over the moon to finally have a home.
From 1993, Bill enjoyed life at Riverwood Farm, where he spent most of his time running and playing with the other animals, including horses, burros, cats, and wild squirrels. He slept anywhere he pleased, usually in his comfortable dog house in the garage, but sometimes he made his way into the house and chose a leather chair for the night.
Bill was a beloved companion who has been cherished ever since he joined the family. His energy and enthusiasm for life was infectious, and he brought joy to everyone who came in contact with him.
Adventures and Another Friend (or Two)
In 1994, we found another homeless dog in the Ocala National Forest. He was a handsome tri-color beagle we named “Ben.” While Bill and Ben became big buddies and would run and play on the farm, they also spent a lot of time digging out of the yard and running into the woods to trail wildlife. This happened several times, and in around 1998, they did it again. After two days, Bill came home, but Ben did not. While we offered a $1,000 reward for Ben’s return, we never found him, and Bill never told us where to look. One time when we were searching for Ben, we found a lost bird-dog we named Mandy. Jessica was not about to leave Mandy starving for food and attention, so she brought her home to be Billdog’s new companion. Sadly, Mandy passed away in 2007 from cancer.
The Working and Traveling Billdog
We became afraid Billdog would run off to try to find Ben again, so we decided to bring him to work with us every day. He loved to ride in the car or truck and loved to be around the people in the office. This was when he was dubbed our first Public Relations Agent. Whenever a guest came to the office, he would greet them. He loved his work, waited for me each morning by the front door, and even had his own office.
We often traveled to the North Carolina Mountains for fun and real estate. Bill always joined us and loved to look out of the windows, rest on the back seat, and have snacks and water at hand. On one occasion, we were in Murphy, North Carolina, at noon – Bill’s lunchtime – and when we stopped at a traffic light in front of a McDonald’s, he started pawing and whining. We usually made stops every hour or two when traveling so he could get some exercise. Jessica liked to stop at shopping centers, but Bill and I weren’t interested, so we’d sit on a bench outside the stores while she shopped. About 50% of the people walking by stopped to play with Bill, which said a lot about the kindness of the American public and Bill’s charm. When we got to the North Carolina Mountains, we spent as much time as we could outdoors, which was a lot of fun for Bill. He’d take off full-speed up a mountain and look down at us as if to say, “What’s your problem?”. He also enjoyed running in and around the mountain creeks, and often ended up with muddy feet and legs. Bill never caught any of the rabbits or squirrels he chased, though.
The Reluctant Boating Dog and His Accident
Bill had not been particularly fond of going out on the pontoon boat, but he preferred it to staying home. One day, they went fishing and boating on the St. Johns River in Astor, Florida and when they stopped the boat to fish, Bill jumped out into the water. Little did he know that he had mistaken a thick carpet of water hyacinths for a lush green lawn! When he emerged from the water, Bill looked quite surprised, and we were quick to pull him back into the boat, to avoid any alligators that may have been lurking in the river.
In 2003, Bill had a freak accident while playing outside which resulted in a damaged ligament in his left back leg. He was unable to put his foot down, so Dr. Hogan put a cast on his leg in an attempt to heal it, but to no avail. Bill was then referred to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, where major surgery was performed to repair the ligament damage. After six months, Bill was back to his old self, running and jumping just like a puppy.
The Sunset Years
By the end of 2007, Billdog was still going strong, but not quite as fast and flexible as he used to be. At 17, it was remarkable that he was still in such good shape. He survived a tumor that was removed from the top of his head, though it was not cancer. He continued to work with them until his final day. In the last few months, he was falling and wasn’t able to get up on his own, so he started being treated with acupuncture and other Chinese medicines. During this time, he was feeling so good that he even chased a raccoon across the backyard at full speed.
Sadly, on November 10, 2009, at the ripe old age of 18, Billdog Wood passed away. He was truly a great dog, and we will never forget him.
Bill wanted most of all to inspire those who read his story to adopt a pet from the Humane Society or Animal Shelter. Bill would have guaranteed that an adopted pet will provide both of you with more fun and happiness than you can ever imagine. We thank you very much for reading his story and for your support for homeless pets.
Meet Our Pets
Adoption and the Humane Society
Homelessness amongst beloved pets is a sad occurrence that could have been avoided had there been more affordable and pet-friendly housing options. Fortunately, there are now many animal rescue groups that strive to find loving homes for pets, especially purebred dogs and puppies.
Adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue group doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag either. In fact, after including the cost of vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, microchip, dewormer and other ‘extras’ that are usually part of the adoption fee, one will be pleasantly surprised to find out the level of medical and behavioral care the pet has already received.
Although some of these furry friends may come with some medical or behavioral issues, the staff of rescue facilities are more than willing to help you find the perfect companion for your lifestyle and family. Moreover, they are always ready to provide advice on taking the best care of your pet to give them the most fulfilling life.
The Humane Society and Adoption Shelters are an invaluable resource for finding loving homes for rescue animals. These shelters offer a safe and secure space for animals who have been abandoned or are in need of rehoming, and they provide potential adopters with the opportunity to give a forever home to a pet that desperately needs one. These shelters work hard to provide a caring, compassionate environment for all animals in their care, and they continue to strive to reduce pet homelessness and create a more humane world.
Pet Rescue and Adoption Locations near Ocala
If you are thinking of bringing a new furry member into your family, we encourage you to check out these animal shelters and rescue societies. The pet you rescue will be a devoted friend for life. Do you want to help, but can’t adopt a pet right now? Please consider donating to or volunteering with these fine organizations.
