The AM Forum

No you can't replace a dog, but you can hang on to all the memories, experiences and companionship they give you.

It's been a couple months now since we lost "Leo," a wonderful Labrador Retreiver who was homeless when we adopted him at Age 8. 

(http://qsl.net/wa3vjb/Leo-2.jpg)

I look at the hundreds of photos we took in our brief time together, and I see a cheerful member of the family with a sunny disposition, optimistic despite all his physical problems.  He probably knew he didn't have much time left, and he knew how to make the most of whatever Life had dealt to him.

We wish he had come into our home sooner.  But we also feel certain his final three years were his best.

Within a few weeks of Leo's passing in mid-March, another homeless Lab was featured on a group email that goes out from the volunteers at Lab Rescue of the Potomac.  Her name is Hershey, and right away she "got" me, just from the photo.  She's got those eyes.

Yesterday was her first trip in the boat.  What a great time we all had.

No, we can never "replace" Leo, but we are very fortunate that we have found yet another cheerful, optimistic Lab who brings so much into our lives.  I'm convinced Leo pointed her our way, somehow, to see to it she found a good home...

If you're in a position to bring a dog into your lives, please consider. They're so grateful, and they give far more than you could ever give them.

I'm sure Leo would thank you, if he could, for three years in a safe, happy home.  And hooray for Hershey, who looks to provide you with many, many entertaining days to come!

You're absolutely right, Paul.  My contractor friend recently lost his lab and after some searching in the rescue shelters, he found a perfectly mannered gentle cross between a beagle and a shepherd.  Odd match one might say but he's a beautiful dog and quite gentle.

He had been in the shelter for a very long time and the folks said that because he just hung back and didn't do the cute things that many dogs do.  There is another companion out there just waiting for you to drop by and invite him into your life.

GL with your search, Al

Our four-legged companions here are very much a part of daily life :D. 

The 'changing of the guard' over the years is very emotional, and those past on are never forgotten.

73DG

Court puts man's best friend in his place (http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-05-29/opinions/39599773_1_damages-appeals-court-pets)

Paul

After rereading your post I see I missed an important point.  I'm glad you found Hershey and know you will both enjoy each other.  I think it's a wonderful thing that we rescue our friends. I don't have a dog companion but Rosie my kitty companion certainly provides her own brand of friendship

Al

 Dogs are people too.  

It's always a tragedy to lose one - and a necessary thing to find another.


A nice tribute to Leo.

Hershey looks like a spunky one and now has it made...  ;D  


T

Hi Paul --

Sorry to hear of your loss.    As someone said,  "When we talk to our dogs, we sometimes forget they're not people" !

Our Black Lab "Diamond" is 14 years old and we give her insulin shots twice a day.  She is still active (well, as active as a 14 year old dog's gonna be....), eats fine, doesn't have accidents (very much) in the house,  and like to tease the heck out of our other dog.

Still, she's visibly slowing down and having trouble standing etc.  I sincerely hope she passes quietly in her sleep and we don't have to make a decision to put her to sleep if she can't stand, eat etc.

If man treated his fellow man like man treats their dogs,  this planet would be in far better shape!

Paul,
So sorry about your ddog and so happy about your new one. My dog Grace is a pug who looks a lot like Winston Churchll. She is famn-colored and blends into our living rooom couch so well that one has to be careful not to sit on her. She is the ultimate lap dog and will lie in your lap for hours. Sometimes when I have had a particularly tiring day, I go over to her and place my forehead against hers in what I call a tete-a-tete position. She seems to absob my worries with each breath, and before I know it, I am floating along with Grace in her dog cloud, her eyes slightly open to steer the way for her dozing owner.
Peter
w1zzz

Thanks for the replies.  I knew there were other folks on here who really, really appreciate "Man's Best Friend," and without being maudlin I am glad to read about that appreciation we have.

What's sad, as the days pass, is realizing that the guy on the left in my avatar, Batemon, is now the "senior" dog in the family.  We've had him since he was 7 weeks old.

(http://qsl.net/wa3vjb/Leo%27sSpringtime-ae_edited-1.jpg)

I knew from the outset these critters don't live long enough, but he just turned 9 on Memorial Day, and I feel the time I get to spend together is getting all the MORE precious.  

Then there's the inevitable, gradual fading of all the little reminders of Leo, including the avatar. I know I'll change it soon, but I'm reluctant, just "hanging on" to a memento. I'm still pulling white hairs out of the truck carpet when I vacuum, and his dog bed downstairs went out to the Radio Lodge where Batemon apparently enjoys some reminiscence about Leo with me when I'm on the radio.  He had that bed or his own to pick from downstairs, and when Leo passed away, Batemon kept going for Leo's bed.

Anyway, thanks for indulging me, and take a long sweet look in your pet's eyes. They know what you mean when you do that.

No one's truly gone until the last person that remembers him is gone.

That's why a generation defined as 20 years does not take into consideration the human element of memory.

Memories have no time limit. Ol' Doc Stone that used to live across the way from me, graduated from the same college I attended in 1895. That means he was born around 1875.
He was my dentist as a kid and I'll tell you, many memories are crystal clear including the time one of his roosters chased me halfway home.

My granddad was born in 1864. ...a charming old gent who offered us kids dates that he kept in a brass scarab in his den.  -Could have been yesterday.

My first dog, Chow Chow,  really a neighbor's who continually escaped and we fed is still crystal clear from many memories.  Our family's first permanent dog, Chumly, (my mother named him Chomondely Tolliferro Wilson), might as well be watching me type this, the memory of him is so clear.  Escorted us everywhere, fought other dogs we'd sic him on...won some, lost some, ran with his buddies for 14 years happier than a clam...you know, all the stuff dogs and kids used to do before an overly protective, self absorbed society became stuffy with criminalization of everything including free dogs.

And a train of dogs thence, all unique, some sneaky, some swift as lightning...their joy of life, all the places and vacations we went to and had together,...all their aging and infirmities and sad last days are solidly etched in my memory, my wife and family's  memory with interlocking detail and will stay so until the last of my children are gone too.

We sure enjoyed every moment with those loyal companions.

But time is good for one thing Paul...  The gradual release of angst and sorrow, the newly found sense of having lived with fine fellows and animals.

Hi Paul,
Sorry to hear about Leo. Labs are great dogs. Very loyal and friendly. My son is a firefighter and on the days he does his 24 hour shifts
my wife and I take care of his black Lab, Micky. Micky and I have a great time together especially when there is water involved.
Give Hershey a pat for me.

Regards
Q

Just one final reminder: I try never to refer to myself as my pets / companions  "owner" - rather I refer to myself as their "human" - Just who owns who?

Al

The one who pays for the food.

Sorry for your loss, Paul.  I've been through the same thing - it's never easy.

Regards,

Steve