by Catherine Anderson
I want to thank you for entering Goliath in your animal "Hall of Fame." Goliath wasn't a fictitious animal. He was my best friend and every bit as extraordinary as the dog I portrayed in FOREVER AFTER. To my everlasting sadness, I lost him when he was only five, so it's wonderful to see that you've given him an additional bit of immortality. He deserved the honorable mention, and on his behalf, I extend appreciation.
He was such a dear heart, one of those incredible dogs that brought comment, even from strangers. Much like the Goliath in the book, his methods when he went into protective mode were sometimes initially alarming. When he met his first little girl, he became very upset when she giggled. Apparently he thought the shrill sounds she made were ones of distress. He promptly pushed her over and sat on her, then refused to let anyone else near her, not even me—a predicament the child further promoted by giggling hysterically. Another time, something in our backyard burn pile exploded, and my daughter-in-law started down there to investigate. Goliath planted himself between her and the fire, snarled, and bared all his teeth. When she tried to circle him, he lunged at her. The moment she turned away, he raced up to love her and "apologize." He simply couldn't allow her near what he perceived to be a danger.
Everyone in our immediate and extended family loved him. It was a tragedy when he died. He was truly a dog with heart, and when he loved, he did so with complete devotion. I have heard other Rottweiler owners tell similar stories about their dogs, which leads me to believe many of this particular breed are extraordinary animals. Given popular opinion, that they are vicious "demon" dogs, you will not only be honoring Goliath by sharing my note, but doing a great service to a misunderstood breed of dog that has gotten an unsavory reputation. How sad that the few vicious Rotties get so much publicity nationwide, but the heroic ones get only "spot" coverage.
Just north of here, outside of Portland, some campers lost their two-year-old daughter. It turned bitterly cold that night, and rescuers feared she would probably be dead from exposure when found. Not! In the morning, they found her sleeping, cuddled by the loyal family Rottweiler, who had dogged her footsteps as she wandered off into the woods. Over the twenty-four hours she was lost, the Rottie protected her, and when it got cold, he kept death at bay with his body heat. The child's only complaint when found was hunger, and romantic dog lover that I am, I believe her canine friend would have tried to find food if the rescuers hadn't come when they did. Why didn't CNN broadcast that story worldwide? But, no, we only hear about those few Rottweilers who do bad things. That is so terribly sad and such an injustice, not only to Rottweilers but all breeds of dogs whose reputations suffer at the hands of the media.
To Goliath and all great dogs!
Sincerely,
Catherine Anderson
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