Comments on: There are those dogs you never forget…

By: David S. Greene

David S. Greene — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:50:44 +0000

Oh Carol, what a beautiful remembrance of another very special Harry (I say that because I believe I have the current most special Harry). Thanks for sharing your memories and the video of a Golden boy.

By: Carol V

Carol V — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:56:30 +0000

I have been trying to post on this wonderful story…but tears come fast and I sign off… but my heart dog was with me the shortest..just shy of 3 years. His name was Harry..a beautiful quirky golden destined to be mine. I adopted him and his littermate Lucy just 6 weeks after our first golden, Barkley, had passed due to cancer at age 13. Not easy to lose Barkley, but we had a wonderful life with him. The silence of the house was deafening my hubby said so Harry and Lucy entered our home Labor day weekend 2005. He had a rough start—giardia and whip worm causing a swollen belly and “starvin”pup…but we got thru that…and when at 16 months I felt a stick-like lump on his neck—I never thought that tiny lttle thing would be able to bring this “scared of feathers and water” dog down…Despite aggressive treatment, we lost him April 2008 as the cancer was more aggressive than the treatment was available. It was during his treatment that my two kitties were stricken with ARF in Feb/March 2007 so his illness took a backseat, believe it or not…so when we found out that one year after radiation the cancer was back, this two health care member family was surprised. What followed was the realization that I could truly enjoy my pal Harry despite the fact that he was to leave us soon. I learned to “smell the roses” as the saying goes..I would be lying if I said every day was good—but those were the ones I spent “talking” to my pals on itchmoforums. I still am able to use what “Harry taught me” as I do look at the days very differently than I did prior to Harry…Tears still come, but more smiles come to this family…because Harry taught us that…to enjoy each and every day..and to laugh as he had us laugh at him…He did not know he was sick I was told by his oncologist so that is what I tried to remember…and in those days that I did…laughter and licks were plentiful.

A quick peek at my Harry—a you-tube was posted by one of the itchmo members..it was posted with the song Into the West but no longer is due to copyright stuff…but if you want to see the quirky golden …here are the pix my friend chose! He is the one with the beautiful to the floor ears! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOnfUHt2SOA

By: Melinda

Melinda — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:42:51 +0000

A beautiful and touching post. “Just five more minutes” really hit home for me. Our Nicky is battling a life-threatening pneumonia right now. He loves to have his crummy old hips rubbed and will back up to anyone he thinks will indulge him. He frequently does that as I’m trying to get out the door to work. This morning, I missed my usual morning ritual where I tell Nick “I can’t pet you all day, bub. Gotta go earn some kibble!”

What I wouldn’t give for some assurance that there will be another morning where his wiggly little butt backs up to me and makes me late for work.

By: Glenye Oakford

Glenye Oakford — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:03:28 +0000

That was lovely, David! Thanks for writing it and bringing to mind even more than usual our own much-loved and now departed animals.

By: Fatinha Kerr

Fatinha Kerr — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:27:54 +0000

David, I very much enjoyed reading your story. Our two Portuguese Water Dogs (Popeye and MacGregor) are only 4 y.o. and Geoff and I dread seeing them get older. We love them so, and are thankful each day for their unconditionally loving presence!
Keep on writing! You do it well!

By: Maria Goodavage

Maria Goodavage — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:57:42 +0000

David,

That is such a poignant, beautiful piece. I call dogs like JJ the “dog of a lifetime.” Thank you for sharing this, David. And here’s to Harry, your second “dog of a lifetime”!

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:24:19 +0000

Yes, this was definitely a heartfelt piece, brought back some wonderful memories. Baldwin is only a baby, but I have the same feelings as you describe. I think certain dogs and people make a soul connection, one that transcends any species conflicts in communication.

Only a look, and one knows what the other is feeling, saying, or what our needs may be mutually.

Very good David…now where is the kleenex box and my chocolates?

By: CatPrrson

CatPrrson — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:46:25 +0000

Some of our pets are our “Heart Pets” and it sounds like JJ was the one for you. When you lose a pet you love, you miss them every day. But JJ still lives on in your memories and the stories you tell about him.

By: Mary Mary

Mary Mary — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:12:11 +0000

And bunnies too.

I will never, ever forget my Zsa Zsa. She died last year and I still cry over her.

She was smart, stubborn, diplomatic, affectionate, confident, playful … on and on.

When I took her as a favor for my friends back in 2001 (their kids had grown bored with her, an outdoor animal they had to “visit” — no big surprise that they didn’t bond deeply), I expected very little. I was a dog person. Rabbits were dumb, right? Kind of aloof and noninteractive?

Boy, did I have a lot to learn. And she’s the reason that, over the last six years, I have taught hundreds and hundreds of rabbit owners how to care for these grossly misunderstood animals.

Sniff. I miss my best girl.

By: KathyF

KathyF — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:55:04 +0000

There’s something about those dogs we have when we’re young, the ones we tell our secrets to. They teach us how to be human, don’t they? How to nurture and love.