Stray dog captures hearts of lake residents
Staff writer
No one knows how the white dog with the suspicious nature ended up at Marion County Park and Lake.
But for the three couples who have grown to love the stray, the furry dog has become a member of their families — more or less.
Whitey, as she was dubbed by the lake residents, truly lives a dog's life. She goes where she wants, eats where she wants, and sleeps where she wants. She belongs to everyone and yet, no one.
In spite of her independent nature, three families of lake residents — Helen and Dwight Beckham, Jim and Frances Smalley, and Johelen and Dean Fincham — have taken on the responsibility of feeding, housing, grooming, and even providing medical care for the dog.
"Whitey is a difficult dog to describe," Helen said. "When we get together we just sit and talk about her."
Whitey first made her appearance at the lake during a big ice storm in late March 1996, Jim remembered.
"It was a terrible cold snap. We looked across the road in a pasture and saw a white ball curled up," Jim said.
Dragging a leg, the white dog would raise up at the sound of certain vehicles and chase some cars and trucks.
"We felt she was dropped off here at the lake or ran away or maybe fell from a vehicle," Frances said. "We don't really know."
No matter how she ended up at the lake, Whitey was suspicious of people.
"She wouldn't let anyone get near her," said Johelen.
"It took 18 months before she finally let me pet her," Dean said. "I kept talking to her and finally she walked over to me."
Jim agreed. "She'll get several feet from me but still doesn't let me pet her."
Despite the dog's fear, the lake residents were determined to make friends. Former residents Elmer and Mary B. Laughlin were the first to gain her trust, Helen said.
A trip to the veterinarian determined the dog was a full-blooded Great Pyrannes, probably about six to eight years old, and had been spayed.
"Then she surprised us by having six pups in the Richardsons' carport," Dean said.
"Elmer could hear her whining. He followed her and found her babies," Helen recalled.
The Laughlins made a bed for the mama dog and her pups in one of their buildings.
"The door got shut and Whitey went right through it on one of the coldest days of the year," Dean said shaking his head. "She went right through the window and screen."
Whitey had been living at the lake approximately four years before she had a litter.
"We figure that papa dog must have been pretty special," Helen said.
Although one pup died, the other five all found good homes including one with the Beckhams. Their dog, Zoe, which looks like a Labrador, is Whitey's daughter.
Soon after making herself at home at Marion County Lake, Whitey took it upon herself to start protecting the residents.
"Great Pyrannes are good watchdogs," Helen said. "At night, she'll go to our house, then to the back, then go back to several other houses."
"When I hear a big bark I know she's on duty," Johelen added.
Dean told of one instance in which an older lake resident came out of her home to get her mail.
"She had a slanted driveway and had a hard time getting to the mailbox," Johelen said, continuing the story. "One day a man tried to help her. Whitey came over and started growling at the man. She's very protective."
One time during her eight years at the lake, Whitey took a notion to start chasing people and someone called the sheriff's office.
When the deputy came out to haul her in, the couples convinced him that Whitey "belonged to everyone."
"She has no owner, but yet we're all her owner," Dwight explained.
Although Whitey has her fan club, she also has her detractors.
"There are some people who want to kill her," Jim said.
Although Whitey is pushing 10 or 12 years of age, she's an active senior.
"She does a lot of wandering around. If Zoe gets loose I figure she's probably around somewhere with her mother," Helen said. "And recently, she and John Waner's dog took a little trip somewhere."
Each of the couples has taken on the responsibility of some aspect of Whitey's care. For instance, the Finchams have a doghouse where she can stay when she's willing and the Beckhams take care of her medical expenses. The Smalleys help out with the food.
"If we roast a turkey, she likes the bones," Jim said.
"Jim will look outside, see Whitey and say 'the mooch is here,'" Frances recalled with a laugh.
The couples chip in together to help with the big expenses like spaying and clipping, Dwight said.
After Whitey gave birth to her litter, she was taken to the vet to be officially, certifiably "fixed."
"Once you get her to the vet she's very submissive and there's no problem," Dwight said. "The big problem is catching her."
Whitey also likes to be groomed. When she was first clipped many of the lake residents didn't recognize her.
"We had Johelen and Dean shut their eyes when we brought her in. She was so cute with her tail trimmed like a poodle," Helen said. "And she was so proud."
Whitey doesn't appear to be afraid of anything — except thunder and lightning.
"It can be lightning at three o'clock in the morning. I'll open the door and she'll scoot in," Helen said.
Even though Whitey is a little more trusting of people than she was initially she's still a little standoffish.
"Sometimes she'll let a particular person pet her and the next time she won't. We just say 'it's not my day,'" Dwight explained.
"People are often afraid of her at first. But she either likes you or doesn't like you," Johelen said.
Although Whitey is a dog with her own mind, her friends don't care.
"We all just love her so much," Helen said.
"Well, she's definitely a conversation piece," Johelen finished.
