Never getting another dog..

[cohiba66]

I just wanted to share another dog rescue. I know Paladin had just recently posted an fantastic rescue story and I wanted to also share something similar that happened to me and my family recently.

I lost my black border collie mix in 2016. I buried her in my back yard after 13 years of wonderful devotion. She was our first "child" that me and my then girlfriend now wife adopted in 2003. We got married in 2004 and of course began our two legged family. Brandy ( Collie) was there every step of the way helping raise and protect her two legged family members. When she passed, we wrapped her in a blanket and brought her home from the vet to be buried the next day. My middle child and I just lost it that night and stayed with her body until the next day when I had to begin digging a grave, not fun.

I said we are never getting another dog after that. Its too hard losing them and I'm not going thru this every 10~15 years. I told the kids you can do whatever you want when you're on your own.

Here are some old images I dug out of my DVD vault of Brandy when she was a pup in 2003.

Here she is fully grown in 2005

SO fast forward two years later to June this year. My wife said she and the kids wanted another dog and they were not putting up with my selfish **** anymore. Her friend started sending various images of local dogs for adoption and one was at our local SPCA. I said NO, not doing it, end of story.

On my way home June 16, I don't know why but I was passing the SPCA and something made me pull into the parking lot.

24 hours later...What the heck, lost my fight with the wife and kids but couldn't be happier!! Here is Dakota, returned 3 times to the SPCA by her previous owners for "not fulfilling expectations". She's a 1 year old Great Pyrenees mix that is not going back.

A dogs purpose....

Thanks for reading!

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...you can never replace the ones that have passed...

...but each new one is a new and special soul to share your life with...

...I too have hesitated in the past...but my dear wife never did...

...bless her...

 

[Rustyt1953]

Beautiful kids, beautiful dog.

This would be a great Christmas card:

 

[PALADIN85020]

I love that shot on the bed. That picture says it all.

Our new love, Corey, has wormed her way into our hearts. Her puppy antics include playing with all of Joe's former toys - his favorite is also hers. Of course, she can never replace Joe, but she sure has brought a ray of sunshine into our lives.

I think that this "Dog's Will" reflects what Joe would have wanted for us and for a stray dog that needed a happy home.

John

 

[LVSteve]

Beautiful kids, beautiful dog.

This would be a great Christmas card:

That dog's face is priceless!!! It says "What have I gotten myself into? My street cred is blown".

 

[soFlaNative]

That great looking crew is good for years to come.
Interesting times for sure when they all start to reach full size!

 

[mdf9183]

we recently lost a long haired chihuahua after 12 years and what did my wife do. She got a long hair and a short hair chihuahua to replace him. We also have a border collie who really runs things around here. I coudn't live without dogs.

 

[Rastoff]

I'm glad you decided to get another dog. I feel your loss and have been there a few times myself. But I agree with those that say the joy of the life is worth the pain at the end.

 

[doublesharp]

Way to go!

 

[hostler]

When my wife and i lost our first dog we said we weren't getting g another, we went almost three years without. That was three years that we both secretly wanted another but didn't talk about it. When our current one goes we will go straight to the SPCA and get another, there's no sense in waiting.
It's not a replacement for the old one, it's to honor the old one.

 

[kmyers]

Here Wendy would say that you don't get the dog when you are lucky to have the right dog come along he or she gets you.

 

[WardenRoss]

Man, I'm all choked-up. Teardrops on my keyboard!

Pardon me a second whilst I get it back together.......................

....................................................................................

That is a BEAUTIFUL dog! Family too by-the-way.

 

[GKC]

My wife has had dogs all her life...or sort of dogs, since they have all been Chihuahuas. She always adopts a senior dog from a rescue group or the pound...she may not have them as long as if they were raised from puppies, but she gives them a good home and life for their remaining years. When she loses one, she immediately gets another.

I've never been much of a dog person...I didn't like them nor did I dislike them...just didn't really care too much one way or the other. Then I "inherited" my mother's dog when she passed...she asked me to find him a good home, and I intended to, but he found his own home, right where I lived! I never knew I could love a dog like I did him, and for 5 years he was my constant companion and my fur covered best friend. We had to have him put down in 2013, and I just haven't been able to get another dog. My wife keeps urging me to, and I've even gone to the pound and various rescue events, but I've never even gotten close to taking one home. It's heartbreaking, because I'd like to see them all get good homes, but it's just not in me. I don't know if it ever will be.

I'm so happy for all of you who can find another dog...there's nothing like having such a loyal and loving companion.

 

[Inusuit]

Someone more eloquent than I am said "The death of your dog is exactly the kind of thing your dog would help you get over."

We have four at present, all rescued from shelter or rescue groups.

 

[mauser9]

Glad you took the plunge. Best thing I ever did was get my lab after losing my husky. Talk about companionship!

 

[OMCHamlin]

We made it a month after my beloved Sheltie, Hope, passed in 2013. Down to a Collie rescue in NC, and back with two older Collies, a boy and girl. Well, now their time is nearer than not, and (of course) I dread their passing, but; that's what dog people do, as Kipling so eloquently said...

The Power of the Dog
Rudyard Kipling, 1865 - 1936

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it's your own affair—
But … you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Damn it , this brought tears to my eyes , thanks ! I remember all the dogs I've had to put down , it rates up there with the hardest things you will do . I also have said never again , but it doesn't work . I mean , all they ask for is food and love , and the love they give back is astronomical . I don't know what will happen when I get older , but I don't think I could live without a dog in my life .

 

[MRB1]

We've done the "never have another dog" thing several times in the past. Doesn't work, if you're a dog person. Our problem is that we live in the country at the very end of a dead end road. City folks all seem to think that any house in the country needs another dog or cat, so they dump them on the road - regardless of weather. For the last 40 years, all of our dogs have been dumped. A person that does that is the lowest form of life, but am grateful they chose our place for a few of them.

 

[Robspeire]

We've done the "never have another dog" thing several times in the past. Doesn't work, if you're a dog person. Our problem is that we live in the country at the very end of a dead end road. City folks all seem to think that any house in the country needs another dog or cat, so they dump them on the road - regardless of weather. For the last 40 years, all of our dogs have been dumped. A person that does that is the lowest form of life, but am grateful they chose our place for a few of them.

X2. 4 dogs +3 cats.

 

[Iggy]

I have said no more dogs so many times, but it's never worked.
Took our 6 pound pooch 50 miles to a 24 hour emergency vet clinic yesterday.
Woke up yesterday and he was really sick. No questions asked, we loaded up and were on the way. He rode in my lap all the way.
Diagnostic test estimate was $850.00 to be paid up front. Wife drew a credit card faster than I can draw a gun.
Left him there and came home.. Waiting for test results which will be additional charges.
We've been through this before.. Pancreatitis and heart murmur.
I keep lookin' to see if he's sleepin' on the couch in his usual spot, even though I know durn well he's not here.
Plumb ridiculous for a dog that don't particularly like me, but what you gonna do?

He's family.