I'm 66 and after the last 4-5 years wondering why I'm even still alive myself, which is why the old adage "I'll never have another dog" seems to make sense. When I was a kid we always had a dog and the dog I grew up with had to be put down when I was around 12, which was a really sad thing even then. After my wife and I got married in early 1973, we both had dogs but neither made it for our first year. In late 73 we got our soul mate, perfect dog .... a Queensland Blue Heeler that was "off color for the breed". She became our first child, best friend, helped me work cows, and became a full fledged part of our family. When we had to have her taken to the vet for the last visit in 1988 we both decided "Boo-Boo" was irreplaceable and we would not have another dog to work our life schedules around. That lasted until September of 2004 when a pristine "stray" Doberman (docked tail with intact ears) wandered up and adopted us. We called all the local veterinarians, placed ads in the "Lost and Founds" of the local newspapers and waited two (whole) weeks before we laid claim. Took her to the vet and had her spayed, shots and groomed and she was ours and named her "Guinness" (well, she was black and tan)... or better said "we were hers". During the first vet visit we were told she was probably 18 month old, and not expect her to live much past 11-12 years old. The statement was made almost 15 years ago which would have made her about 16-1/2 years old. We took her to the same vet this morning and had her relieved of her misery. Spent 3 hours after that trip trying to remove all the everyday "Guinness" objects from sight. It's going to take a lot of time to re-arrange day to day life with her gone.
Now, the ironic part is that we have a great grandson "Wyatt" to be "born" (C-Sect) around 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. My wife will meet them at the hospital a couple of hours earlier to pick up Wyatt's 3 year old brother (Josh) to keep him occupied for a few hours before we go back to the hospital to meet the new family member. Makes for a memorable day.
The last 4-5 years have been really difficult and/or life changing for me. Losing Guinness just adds to the pile of other events.
Nope, there won't be another dog for me ....
jd
Now, the ironic part is that we have a great grandson "Wyatt" to be "born" (C-Sect) around 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. My wife will meet them at the hospital a couple of hours earlier to pick up Wyatt's 3 year old brother (Josh) to keep him occupied for a few hours before we go back to the hospital to meet the new family member. Makes for a memorable day.
The last 4-5 years have been really difficult and/or life changing for me. Losing Guinness just adds to the pile of other events.
Nope, there won't be another dog for me ....
jd