OT: Said Goodbye To The Dog Today - I'm Sad.

[DerbyDad03]

A while back SWMBO and I were out of town. My son called to tell us that we would be dog-sitting for a few weeks while a bad situation at his friend's house was being worked out. The dog was not being treated well by one member of the household. That "few weeks" turned into 12 years. Chopper never left.

We nicknamed him Chopper because he would snap at certain people, mostly men, including me. We could not let the neighborhood kids pet him. It took a few years before he trusted me enough to let me pick him up. He would tighten up into a defensive stance, ready to pounce and bite. He drew blood a few times. SWMBO could do whatever she liked to him, but not me.

I'm not a patient man, but he taught me to be. I never gave up. Eventually he graced me with his trust, even curling up next to me every now and then. Maybe the miles of hikes in the woods and the years of people food snacks helped a bit. Of course, if SWMBO was around, I didn't even exist. ;-)

Now, at about 15 years old, his time was up. The Big C. Later today he'll be buried in one of SWMBO flower beds in the back yard.

I'm sad.

[Leon]

Sorry to hear that. We have an 11 year old Great Dane that is ticking down pretty fast. They live 7~9 years. She and I have probably walked a couple of thousand miles together.

[-MIKE-]

It's not easy letting go of pets. You fall in love with the little bastards. :-) What's the saying? "There's something about outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." It sounds like you both benefited greatly from the relationship.

[Spalted Walt]

Kind thoughts and sweet memories..... so sorry for the loss of your loyal friend, DD3.

[OFWW]

I'm saddened too, a tough loss. But the good memories and stories will last forever.

[Sonny]

Our pets, whether we select them or they us, always seem to meld their way into our lives.... in the good ways.... and are surely missed when they depart.

High praise to you for adopting Chopper. I have no respect for someone who mistreats an animal, especially a family pet.

Sonny

[nailshooter41]

It's awful to lose a friend like that. I had a evil tempered German Shephe rd for years that tolerated me as his roommate for a couple of years. I go t him when he was badly abused like you did with chopper. He was scheduled to be "put down".

I think it makes the relationship more meaningful when you have to forge an understanding. After about 3 or so years we got the hang of each other an d I couldn't have asked for a better companion. He was totally devoted to me, and me alone.

I have his ashed in an urn on my fireplace, along with his last collar and tags, and he was gone 25 years ago this year.

I feel your pain. But remember too, dogs like that have to go to the right owner. Good on you for giving him a home, not giving up on him, allowing him to be who he was, and and being a good friend to him. No doubt, it was a two way street with you guys. Sorry for your loss...

Robert

[Dr. Deb]

Those last two words say volumes about you. Like Chopper, we give our love to very few beings. You have given the best of you to him, and he gave yo u his most precious gift, trust. Its been 65yrs since Champ died, I still get choked up when I think of him. That is their gift to us, to make us a bit more Human.

[Casper]

My sympathies on the loss of your friend. It took much heart on both sides to overturn the negatives. It's never easy or painless to lose those that can never talk yet speak volumes to our hearts. You both grew stonger and happier during your time together. Take heart in knowing that will always remain with you both forever.

[Casper]

I whole-heartedly agree. I have a neighbor who mistreats one of her two cats. The one that belongs to her ex-husband.

The other day I caught the wife grabbing the cat buy his scruff and painfully hoisting him up from my yard and storming off.

I first found the cat cowering in winter snow, afraid of everything and everyone. I finally earned his trust enough he would come sit with me outside or follow me as I worked around the house. I had no idea if anyone owned him as he wore no collar.

Eventually I found out the new neighbor on the street owned him, along with another cat and two dogs, who remained in the house or leashed.

The young couple hit a rough spot in their relationship and splt. During that time the male cat was often thrown out of the house in snow and rain and very fearful in thunderstorms. I often wake at night and, if I saw him outside on my porch, would sit with him for a bit.

Eventually she tried to lock the cat in the house but every time he gets out he comes to visit and hides near me when someone comes looking for him. He's taking to growling now which he never used to do. I not only feel bad for him but angry that she treats him so rough, especially since she is a vet-tech.

I told the ex-husband a couple of times that if they needed to find a home for the cat, I would gladly take him. She makes it seem like it's evil that this little fellow likes to come see and sit with me. The cat shies away from the ex-husband now too; a few times jumping into my lap when the ex-husband comes looking for him, which is rare.

[Michael]

Sorry for your loss. You took him in and gave him a good life. You are good people.

[DerbyDad03]

Thank you all for your kind words. He wasn't the most affectionate dog, but we knew why and accepted him for who he was. His life started pretty rough and it's hard to out grow that.

I think they call this a hint: I could feed him scraps by hand and he'd lick food off of a spoon or a knife, but even after 12 years with us, if I put something on a fork, it didn't matter how hungry he was or how special of a treat I was offering him, he'd back away slowly and walk away. "I want that, but I'm going near that fork." Put the fork down, hold the treat in your hand and he'd come right back. Just wondering what went on before he came to us makes us shiver.

[woodchucker]

I'm sad for you too. I hope your memories of those good moments are enough to help fill the void. I miss my guy. And almost a year later, I still miss him.