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Archive through September 09, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions: 2004 Aug - Oct: Dogs (ARCHIVES): Archive through September 09, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 11:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh, no, Dahli!!!!

I know how much Maxoom meant to you. And you could see how well he was cared for by just looking at his beautiful face in your lovely picture of him. I understand how broken you feel, and I am so sorry, hon. So very, very sorry.

The only thing I can think to say to console you is that you rescued him, right? He had a longer, happier life because of you--something he would not have had otherwise. And he died doing what was natural and instinctive to him, running. His death is a tragedy, but please dry your eyes long enough to look deeply into his eyes in that picture; you gave him the best gift of all--happiness. What else could we all wish for when we die, but to die happy, doing the thing we love most.

rip


Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 11:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Congratulations, Hermi, on bringing that adorable baby home with you! Luna is a lovely name, and please understand that I adore the name LunaJuju, but somehow, I keep wanting to say Lunajuna! (That goofy rhyming thing I do.)

I know nothing about cats except that they rule the day! So I am sure they will be Luna's best teachers about the boundaries. That doggie gate idea sounds like a great plan!

I know people swear by that crate thing, but I know I could never do it. To me, a dog's natural tendency is to roam and explore. Keeping a dog in a crate just seems so wrong to me. Do the professionals recommend it as something akin to wrapping babies tightly in blankets when they are newborns? Feels like the womb, hence makes them feel secure?

Not trying to discourage anyone; just that my Herc(who came to us housetrained, but not by any person, I swear) never needed that and I can't imagine treating him as anything other than a member of our family. Herc, however, DOES like his own bed, which he sleeps in alot during the day, so I can readily see how important stability and security are. Just seems awful to me to put a dog in such a cramped space.

Sasman
Member

07-08-2003

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 11:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dahli, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Maxoom. I know you gave him a wonderful life and he died doing his favorite thing.

{{{{{Dahli}}}}}

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 11:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Emmy, I love Tiny! He's beautiful (such a glorious, shiny coat) and looks absolutely huggable despite his size. Such a nice thing that you took him in. It appears he's more than repaid you by being a faithful and loving companion. Bet he follows you everywhere!

I'm with you on what makes the best pets---mine have always been 'found' dogs except one--a beagle named Topper (my first dog when I was a kid). Topper was a beastie (very, very independent and always 'escaping' and running the neighborhood), but we loved him just the same.

After my hubby and I became a couple, there were all the foundlings: Jake (The Fake), Spot, Boopy and Omar. All were wonderful, wonderful companions that are now gone but remembered with love and as important in our lives.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 12:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Bearware, what a great picture of your doggie! You worried people are scrutinizing the pic, looking for stray dog hairs in your rug? Don't be goofy; we're all gazing at Bearware's beauty.

Your comment reminded me of a birthday party I held in our home in Wilmington on June 29, the date my son was turning 3 (24 years ago). All the family was coming and the day was HOT of course.

We weren't able to afford carpeting then, but we reveled in our beautiful oak floors with (face nailed) inlaid mahogany anyway. The only two problems were that we had no air conditioning and had a dog who was a big-time shedder. I was proud of our home and my son, and I baked and cooked and cleaned and got everything ready for the party. Turned on our floor fans when everyone had assembled in our rug-less living room to open presents.

Suddenly tumbleweeds of dog hair skittered across the floor! I swear I don't know where they came from, but there they were. No one was perturbed (I think) except me! I was mortified! (It may have been that event that prompted us to purchase a couple of rugs for the downstairs area.)

No big punch line here. It's just that everyone who has a shedder has been there. So no big deal about dog hair (never saw any, btw!) among dog lovers. We all understand!

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 12:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thankyou everyone, your words and kindnesses shown make me feel less alone with this.

I wanted to share what someone sent to me it is so beautiful.
I didn't rescue him though, Maxoom was barely 2 yrs old when he died and I got both his brother and him at 7 weeks from a local breeder. I may consider a rescue someday maybe if I figure out how to get through this....

Sorrow's Door

A treasured friend, but somehow more
Has left me here at sorrow's door.

With courage and a dignity
And all the trust he placed in me.

He was grace and beauty, living art.
A soul of good, and honor, and heart.

Brought down in prime, the body fails,
But in my depths, his life prevails.

This dog, my dog, a part of me.
Taken too soon, a pain that we

Who love our dogs, must all endure.
The price, so dear, of love so pure.

Though he's gone, and though I mourn,
There's gladness from this sadness born.

The privilege of having loved and known
This noble soul, my heart, my own.

I am better for the years he gave.
Better for the games we played.
Better for the quiet times.
Much better for that dog of mine.



Lucy
Member

10-08-2002

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 12:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dahli, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 1:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh Dahli. I have no words. Just my prayers and love to you and your family. {{{{Dahli}}}}

What a lovely poem. Thank you for taking time from your pain to share it with us.

Bearware
Member

07-12-2002

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 1:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Herckle, thanks so much for your kindness! I have to share my story as well. I had just bought my first home, same hardwood floors, and big hairy dogs - was SO proud of my new home, so I invited several teachers over that I work with. (This is a HUGE deal, by the way, I'm messy, and don't allow visitors, partly due to this incident) Anyway, they walked in the door, 3 of the oohed appropriately, and the fourth just looked around and said, "You DO OWN a vacuum cleaner don't you?" Mortified. So that's the 'inside scoop' on my vacuum obsession.

Oh, my birthday is the 29th of June as well! Thanks again!

Bearware
Member

07-12-2002

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 1:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dahli - I'm so sorry for your loss. Please don't feel guilty - accidents happen - but know he loved you, and was doing what he loved - none of this fixes anything though, I know. I'm so sorry.

Lostintheglades
Member

07-10-2000

Monday, August 30, 2004 - 2:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh ((((Dahli))))). I am sooo sorry. You have nothing to feel guilty about. The happiest dogs are those with jobs and with purpose. You provided a loving home and an active life. I know it doesn't make it any better or easier though.

Lostintheglades
Member

07-10-2000

Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 10:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hermi...beautiful pup there. And yes...the cats will be fine. The will probably end up teasing the crap out of the dog just to watch her get in trouble for playing with the cat. Our cat is very creative this way.

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 10:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I've been working out of my home for almost five years and to keep me company we got our two whippet pups 2 plus years ago... this loss has left a huge hole in my life, so I want to thank you all for taking the time to offer me the support and understanding that someone who is alone all day does not typically get
For those of you who believe I wanted to post something my boss sent me this morning, he had dinner with his sister last night in PHX - she is a woman with the gift of clairvoyance - I have never spoken to her and my boss knew my dog had died but details were not shared. This is something I am struggling to take in and make my heart feel something besides despair... thanks again for all your kindnesses

Laura's impressions about Max: Nothing made him happier than chasing the rabbit. He wanted to catch it and tear the crap out of it. All he remembers is he was going into a turn and his right shoulder gave out and he fell. He remembers no pain and the only reason he knows something is different is that he keeps looking for food and then realizes he doesn't need it any more. He misses you and someone he calls "the girl", Savanna I suppose. If he could speak he would have a very deep voice but he would stammer alot because he gets so excited. He doesn't want you to get another dog because it will just upset you more. Other than missing you, he is very happy where he is. He was doing what he loved to do and he is what Laura described as joking about his accident like a kid after a playground mishap. He cheerfully says he just "lost it". I am sure he has a different perspective than you but I wanted to convey her impressions of what he shared with her.



Lostintheglades
Member

07-10-2000

Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 4:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I believe that with all my heart Dahli!! What a great gift you received in that. I work out of my house as well and know the companionship that our pets bring to us. I also know the pain (very recently in fact) that losing a friend like that brings. For me, just knowing that their are others who understand that it's just like losing any other family member is so wonderful. I love story about God creating the Dog to be a reflection of himself. If you've never heard it it's great, I'll try to find a copy of it and send it to you.

Lostintheglades
Member

07-10-2000

Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 4:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Update......

Canon has settled in so quickly and has assumed his place as a member of the family. Even Millie has finally realized that he will play with her much longer than Ethel was able to. Jack Russells tend to think of themselves as such "big" dogs so the match up is perfect. At first she would just growl and snap at him but now, every morning they spend about 40 minutes, wrestling and running around the yard. He actually give her a good workout and is quicker than what I'd imagined. Of course, when Millie gets tired she has to discipline him and let him know she's had enough but like any child he doesn't always get the first warning.

He's also taken his place as guardian of the house and Millies backup to anyone who dares knock at the door. We're working on his habit of bolting out the front door as he jumped on the pizza man the other night. DH quickly picked him up by the scuff of the neck and he's been much better since then.

What's really strange is that the corner where we buried Ethel used to be Millies favorite place to check out in the mornings. Smelling for anything that may have passed through our yard during the nights. She has not been to that area of the yard in 3 weeks now. She has always walked the entire fence line smelling and checking things out but that one corner she goes around and she doesn't allow the pup to go over there either.

DH grows roses and uses one to pollinate another. (He's a regular little bee...) The other day he used a red "Kennedy Rose" and pollinated a bud on a "Pink Heather". when the seeds from this are ready he's going to start a few and name it "Ethels Rose" and we'll plant it in the corner where she's laying. He's mixed the red roses with yellow ones but this is the first time he's mixed the Kennedy Rose with anything and will be the only time. He's such a softy! Of course, that's one of the many things that attracted me to him some 28 years ago.

edited to add that dd comes home from college this weekend so we still have the task of telling her about Ethel. How can you tell her something like that when she's upset about math tests, friends, and stuff....yikes. I'm hoping it won't be a total shock to her, I keep hinting about Ethel's age and she's looking forward to seeing the new puppy.

Bandit
Member

07-29-2001

Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 9:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lost--I'm pretty sure Millie knows Ethel is there. When I was a kid, my dad buried my cat that got hit by a car in the backyard by the fence. My other cat didn't see him do this (my dad didn't want him to, so we kept him sequestered while my dad did the burying), and sure enough, when kitty went outside, she made a b-line for the spot where her brother was buried and sat there for hours afterward. It was weird, but also very touching.

Lostintheglades
Member

07-10-2000

Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 11:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yeah...it's really strange how animals pick up on stuff like that. She's very protective of that spot. I'm just glad she's getting along with the new pup. Before we brought him home, she spent most of her time under our bed.

Secretsmile
Member

08-19-2002

Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 3:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Had to share this.


If...

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and still be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you, when, thorough no fault of yours, something goes wrong,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,

If you can face the world without lies and deceit,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

If you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion, gender preference, or politics,

THEN, you have reached the same level of development as your dog.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 10:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You know you're a dog person if....

You believe every dog is a lap dog.

You buy your dog ice cream cones.

You go to the pet supply store for fun because you can take your dog inside.

You walk in the pouring rain because your dog needs her walk.

You reach into your pockets for change and dog treats fall out.

You talk to your dog on the phone.

You like people who like your dog. You don't like people who don't.

The first thing your friends say when they see you is "How's (the dog)?"

You have a kiddie wading pool in the yard, but no children.

Your parents refer to your dog as their granddog.

Your dog sleeps with you.

You let the neighbor dogs sleep over.

No matter how large your bed is, it is not large enough for you and the dog(s).

You like to talk to, pat, and feed every dog you know.

You believe there is no such thing as a naughty dog.

You talk to your dog when you are driving. She answers.

You can't see out your car's passenger window because of all the nose-prints.

No one wants to ride in your car because they know they'll get dog hair on their clothes.

You always have dog hair on your clothes.

You match your furniture/carpet/clothes to your dog.

You'll watch a bad movie because a dog like your is in it.

Books and movies are ruined for you if the dog references are wrong.

You meet people with dogs and remember their dogs' name right away, but not theirs.

You have 32 different names for your dog. Most make no sense, but she understands.

The highlight of your day is spending time with your dog.

You sign and send birthday/anniversary/Christmas cards from your dog.

You sit on the floor if the dog got in the chair first.

Your dog has taught you to fetch.

You keep eating even after finding a dog hair in your food.

Your dog has her own web site.







Riviere
Member

09-09-2000

Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 11:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hmmmm, my hounds have their own website, since before this site existed.. We're going to lose Blue this year, sadly.. He turns 11 in Oct.. I know, adopt Greyhounds, they age well but don't live forever, be happy for the 6-10 years with them, aye?
Emerald Moodyblu is his full name.. He raced 2 yrs in Wisconsin before I helped permanently close that track. He is so beta, so fun, just a friendly dog to know. Think of him as happily retired 8 yrs, and be happy! We are gonna miss Blue, but he's going to find peace from cancer, and meet a lifetime of old and new pals when he gets to Rainbow Bridge...


Bandit
Member

07-29-2001

Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 7:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    


(((Riviere)))

Riviere
Member

09-09-2000

Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 11:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thank you, Bandit, I know you'll be someone with hugs for us when Blue passes away.. This is such a hard decision, you know? After near 5 decades of dogs, cats, birds, horses, it's always quite a tough task. I never cry until I'm alone... Be happy as me that Blue did have a happy life for a lot more years than many Greyhounds have.. He is a beta pack animal type, beautiful brindle grey coat. His 11th BDay this year will be the finest kind he ever had! The thing about old dogs like Blue, they know they don't feel good and they're winding down fast. They need help eventually and tell us in little ways...

Sillycalimomma
Member

11-13-2003

Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 9:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
((((((((Riviere))))))))))
I'm so sorry to hear that. It is always so hard to say goodbye-sometimes I think it may be harder when you have to plan for it.


Things with Buddy are going pretty well. I have at least figured out his little schedule and all of the whinning has stopped (well,except for when I leave and come back he cries for a good 10 minutes-like "don't you ever leave me again")
He is not completely housebroken yet, but he refuses to go #2 in the house so hey that's a start.
I am a bit worried about his behavior though. I know he is still a puppy and all but he seems a bit too agressive to me. When he is up and playing he runs wild growling at everything and charges everyone. He nips sometimes during these fits, but no real bitting. I see it as his way of releasing energy and having some fun, but when he is bigger I think it may be pretty scary. Maybe it is just a puppy thing. I don't know. He's very cute though and we have all just fallen in love with him. Even dh who has never been an animal person. He always wants me to let Buddy sleep on the bed with us (real cute now when he is a pup, but not going to be so cute when he is full grown!)
He has an apt. with the vet on Friday-fingers crossed all will go well!

Riviere
Member

09-09-2000

Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 4:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thank you for your kind thoughts of Blue, and I wish you the best with Buddy! If he's really so aggressive to you, have you given him lots of hard bone chew toys for puppy teeth? Puppies do teethe as humans do.. Teach him a good chore, like fetching, he's born to that!

Aside re Dahli... I am so sad and more than hurt when folks get a Greyhound or Whippet and go lure coursing.. It's a very dangerous game and many a fine, healthy, young dog has been badly injured or killed because of an owner's ego.. I recall when Dahli got the puppies and being so happy.. I just feel numb now seeing what happened.. I'll say another thing most dog owners won't agree with.. Sighthounds may give chase to a piece of paper, a cat, a rabbit, a smaller dog, but that is NOT what they love to do, nor were they bred for it. Don't kid yourselves. A sighthound will run for love of running, chasing nothing. I've seen sighthounds alone on a high school track and they simply run because the track is there to run, no lure, no prize, no winner circle. The lure coursing is beyond me.. Sighthounds were bred to chase big game like gazelles, or buffalo in Custer's case. Deerhounds, Wolfhounds, and Greyhounds, and Whippets, too, all same roots. My 3 huge Greyhounds live with a 17yo 8 pound cat and there's no problem.. I'm so sad for Dahli.. I understand the guilt, too. Maxoom would be safe now if he hadn't been lure coursing, and Dahli has to live with that.. I hope the grief makes her aware of how special her other pets are and keep them safer.

We lost our son this year, he was 20.. Maybe it has made me more an advocate of responsible pets ownership, seeing life is really just too short? It is short for our beloved dogs, without asking for it.. We do make the decisions for our hounds while our sons make their own decisions after they are barely more than pups themselves in the human world.. Sometimes things go terribly wrong and we lose our most precious gifts..

Buddy is so cute! Hope you have many happy years together, please keep his progress posted.. :-)


Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 5:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Riviere, good for you for rescuing Blue. (and helping to close the dog race down. What people will do for their own enjoyment is ridiculous at times!) Maybe after a bit, you can rescue yet another deserving pup.

And my heart goes out to you on the loss of your son.