I can relate to this story. My husband never wanted a dog, the girls always did. I visited a friend who had a Vizsla pup in May 2007 and completely fell in love. Found one for myself the day I got home from that visit. Asked my younger daughter, then 14, if she wanted to come check out a puppy. "Mom," she said, "if I go with you, we'll have to buy it." I told her I knew that and that I needed someone to hold the pup on the way home.
So we walk in the house carrying the pup, hubs sees it. "Don't tell me you bought a puppy." He was mad but I'm not big on asking for permission, more into seeking forgiveness later. The girls wanted to call him Toby which I disliked. After about 4hrs of having him here, hubs says, "Let's call him Bravo." That's ownership, when the one who doesn't want the dog, names it.
Bravo was with us for almost 14 years. He passed in 2021 when both girls were home to say goodbye to him.
Have a wonderful day with River. I’ve rescued 3 dogs now. My latest, part chihuahua and part miniature schnauzer, is parked right here next to me. She’s been my guardian angel now for a year and a half. My husband died on Valentine’s Day and she and I found each other in April. We will move down to Panamá together later this year. She’s my Guardian Angel now as so many of my other dogs have been during my life. I’m a believer in the saying, “DOG is GOD spelled backward”.
Loved your story! We have two rescued best friends. Amigo is from Cuba and Chili Pepper is from the Humane Society near our home. They are geriatric dogs but they make us laugh every day. The are perfect examples of true love with out any strings attached!
What a touching story. I fully believe dogs are brought into our lives to teach us many things, but perhaps the greatest is to love something unconditionally.
Fred, beautiful story of such an amazing dog and bond to your entire family. Our pup’s mom was the one rescued. She was on a NM reservation and taken to an under resourced shelter pregnant. Fortunately good people put out the word and this amazing dog whisperer in Salt Lake, that is legendary for rehabilitating disabled dogs, was willing to take her in and have the litter. Through the good fortune of a couple of young girls that Caroline taught who we’re helping Kathy with the puppies we got first dibs on visiting the 6-pups. Apparently there were 5-dads - a story for another day. The kids and I fell for Mickey but from first meet Caroline had her eyes on Kirby. Needless to say, she and he conspired to knock Mickey into a distant 2nd place and we’ve never looked back. Serendipity is such a powerful force if your open to its magic! Kirby says hi to River and would love comparing DNA results - both the perfect Mutts!
Having had dogs as companions since I was a little girl, I look at dogs as friends. We just lost our two "baby girls" in one year. This time, it has hurt so much and I miss them so much, I am not sure I'll get another dog, only to lose it in a few years. It is true, the hardest part of loving a dog is letting it go. Thanks for the beautiful story.
I love this story . I had several dogs and many rescue cats over the years. My all time favorite dog was Hobie , a hundred pound Flat Coated Retriever. Yes, there is such a breed . They are descended from Labradors , Newfoundland s and Golden Retrievers so I’m told . I first met one at a dog show , of all places. My sister Ellen was with me . We spoke with a woman who showed them , she was a Psychologist during the week . She was also a smoker , we called her “puff-puff” because when one spoke with her on the phone you could always hear the quick puff and then another as she got that last bit of nicotine before speaking rapidly. She was quite knowledgeable about the breed and eventually both my sister and I each got one , as puppies. They were beautiful dogs . I agreed I would show Hobie , my husband agreed he’d participate .
Unfortunately soon after he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and died within the next six weeks . Two days before he died , my father died unexpectedly .
At that point I didn’t have it in me to do the things required to have a show dog . So I did what seemed obvious to me and had Hobie neutered and made him a family dog . He excelled at that .
When Dr . Puff found out she was beside herself . She pointed out I’d agreed to show the dog . She considered it a verbal contract. She remarked that his paternal Uncle ( the dogs) was best in show several years ago and sold for some remarkable price . I explained I wouldn’t have sold him , she explained again very slowly her position on this .
I apologized but it was for me the right decision . I’m not sure she ever got over it .
What I apparently missed when she told us about this breed , they are prone to Cancers.
At about 7 years both Hobie and my sisters dog Simon, were diagnosed with Cancers . Simons was in his bones , he had an amputation of his affected leg at Cornell University Hospital and was there in ICU for an extended time . He did become well enough to return home but he was so traumatized by his hospitalization he became very destructive and eventually had to be put down.
My Hobie soon after was diagnosed with a tumor in his heart and lungs . The vet told me , he wouldn’t make it to Cornell. So I took him to a local Veterinary Hospital , the radiologist who did his studies has actually studied as a resident under my late husband who was a Radiologist.
He was very kind and very direct , he suggested I get my girls home from College to say good bye in the next few days . He said putting him down was the most merciful thing we could do for him . The seven years we had him were a joy , he was a gentle giant with a sweet demeanor with people and other animals including his litter mate Simon who predeceased him.
I was never able to have another ‘flat coat ‘ after Hobie But my sister and her husband kept going for flat coated retrievers . Everyone of them died from Cancer .
They were very brave eternal optimists. And they benefitted from having this wonderful breed for many years.
Mine was a Cat. I had come home from work on Jul 4, early evening with people already starting to shoot off various fireworks. My neighbor's kids were around the shrubs next to the apartment stairs and were trying to get something. I asked what was going on and they told me that a kitten (they recently had a litter born a few weeks prior) had gotten scared from the fireworks and got out and is hiding in the shrubs. I coordinated with them to finally get the frightened kitten out and when i had gone to give it back to them, they told me to keep him as they were giving them away.
Luke was with me for over 18 of my years. For him, in cat years, he was a very old man when I had to have him euthanized. During that time, he was my Anchor when I was about ready to just drop everything and pull up my stakes and see where the wind would take me. I had an obligation to see to his well being and he helped to keep me grounded. He gave me the reason to see things through and to the other side and back to stability.
He was there for times I needed something to hold onto and times that I was resentful of his presence because I couldn't just leave him to his fate. I was tied to him as much as he to me.
When I had to admit that he needed to be Euthanized, I took him to the Animal Shelter for them to do that. I knew he was scared and I comforted him while they gave him the shot. I was watching and holding and talking to him while he was watching me.... while the light went out of his eyes.
I went home, got drunk, howled and screamed and cried until I stumbled to bed.
I still miss him but I am glad that he was there for me as I was for him, even at the end.
I can relate to this story. My husband never wanted a dog, the girls always did. I visited a friend who had a Vizsla pup in May 2007 and completely fell in love. Found one for myself the day I got home from that visit. Asked my younger daughter, then 14, if she wanted to come check out a puppy. "Mom," she said, "if I go with you, we'll have to buy it." I told her I knew that and that I needed someone to hold the pup on the way home.
So we walk in the house carrying the pup, hubs sees it. "Don't tell me you bought a puppy." He was mad but I'm not big on asking for permission, more into seeking forgiveness later. The girls wanted to call him Toby which I disliked. After about 4hrs of having him here, hubs says, "Let's call him Bravo." That's ownership, when the one who doesn't want the dog, names it.
Bravo was with us for almost 14 years. He passed in 2021 when both girls were home to say goodbye to him.
Dogs really are best friends.
Always look forward to reading your stories.
Great story.
And you're right; we don't deserve dogs.
Beautiful, all of it, hope you have an amazing day!
Have a wonderful day with River. I’ve rescued 3 dogs now. My latest, part chihuahua and part miniature schnauzer, is parked right here next to me. She’s been my guardian angel now for a year and a half. My husband died on Valentine’s Day and she and I found each other in April. We will move down to Panamá together later this year. She’s my Guardian Angel now as so many of my other dogs have been during my life. I’m a believer in the saying, “DOG is GOD spelled backward”.
I’ve owned four rescue dogs over the years (all basset hounds). They are the best.
Very sweet story. Give River a tummy rub for me 😁
I’m reading this with my rescued cat, Luigi, lying on my chest, purring...of course, I’m crying.
Loved your story! We have two rescued best friends. Amigo is from Cuba and Chili Pepper is from the Humane Society near our home. They are geriatric dogs but they make us laugh every day. The are perfect examples of true love with out any strings attached!
Man, I felt that saying "No" and then loading them into car to take home. Pretty amazing story.
My little guy, Gene Kelly, saves me, too.
What a touching story. I fully believe dogs are brought into our lives to teach us many things, but perhaps the greatest is to love something unconditionally.
Fred, beautiful story of such an amazing dog and bond to your entire family. Our pup’s mom was the one rescued. She was on a NM reservation and taken to an under resourced shelter pregnant. Fortunately good people put out the word and this amazing dog whisperer in Salt Lake, that is legendary for rehabilitating disabled dogs, was willing to take her in and have the litter. Through the good fortune of a couple of young girls that Caroline taught who we’re helping Kathy with the puppies we got first dibs on visiting the 6-pups. Apparently there were 5-dads - a story for another day. The kids and I fell for Mickey but from first meet Caroline had her eyes on Kirby. Needless to say, she and he conspired to knock Mickey into a distant 2nd place and we’ve never looked back. Serendipity is such a powerful force if your open to its magic! Kirby says hi to River and would love comparing DNA results - both the perfect Mutts!
Having had dogs as companions since I was a little girl, I look at dogs as friends. We just lost our two "baby girls" in one year. This time, it has hurt so much and I miss them so much, I am not sure I'll get another dog, only to lose it in a few years. It is true, the hardest part of loving a dog is letting it go. Thanks for the beautiful story.
I love this story . I had several dogs and many rescue cats over the years. My all time favorite dog was Hobie , a hundred pound Flat Coated Retriever. Yes, there is such a breed . They are descended from Labradors , Newfoundland s and Golden Retrievers so I’m told . I first met one at a dog show , of all places. My sister Ellen was with me . We spoke with a woman who showed them , she was a Psychologist during the week . She was also a smoker , we called her “puff-puff” because when one spoke with her on the phone you could always hear the quick puff and then another as she got that last bit of nicotine before speaking rapidly. She was quite knowledgeable about the breed and eventually both my sister and I each got one , as puppies. They were beautiful dogs . I agreed I would show Hobie , my husband agreed he’d participate .
Unfortunately soon after he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and died within the next six weeks . Two days before he died , my father died unexpectedly .
At that point I didn’t have it in me to do the things required to have a show dog . So I did what seemed obvious to me and had Hobie neutered and made him a family dog . He excelled at that .
When Dr . Puff found out she was beside herself . She pointed out I’d agreed to show the dog . She considered it a verbal contract. She remarked that his paternal Uncle ( the dogs) was best in show several years ago and sold for some remarkable price . I explained I wouldn’t have sold him , she explained again very slowly her position on this .
I apologized but it was for me the right decision . I’m not sure she ever got over it .
What I apparently missed when she told us about this breed , they are prone to Cancers.
At about 7 years both Hobie and my sisters dog Simon, were diagnosed with Cancers . Simons was in his bones , he had an amputation of his affected leg at Cornell University Hospital and was there in ICU for an extended time . He did become well enough to return home but he was so traumatized by his hospitalization he became very destructive and eventually had to be put down.
My Hobie soon after was diagnosed with a tumor in his heart and lungs . The vet told me , he wouldn’t make it to Cornell. So I took him to a local Veterinary Hospital , the radiologist who did his studies has actually studied as a resident under my late husband who was a Radiologist.
He was very kind and very direct , he suggested I get my girls home from College to say good bye in the next few days . He said putting him down was the most merciful thing we could do for him . The seven years we had him were a joy , he was a gentle giant with a sweet demeanor with people and other animals including his litter mate Simon who predeceased him.
I was never able to have another ‘flat coat ‘ after Hobie But my sister and her husband kept going for flat coated retrievers . Everyone of them died from Cancer .
They were very brave eternal optimists. And they benefitted from having this wonderful breed for many years.
Mine was a Cat. I had come home from work on Jul 4, early evening with people already starting to shoot off various fireworks. My neighbor's kids were around the shrubs next to the apartment stairs and were trying to get something. I asked what was going on and they told me that a kitten (they recently had a litter born a few weeks prior) had gotten scared from the fireworks and got out and is hiding in the shrubs. I coordinated with them to finally get the frightened kitten out and when i had gone to give it back to them, they told me to keep him as they were giving them away.
Luke was with me for over 18 of my years. For him, in cat years, he was a very old man when I had to have him euthanized. During that time, he was my Anchor when I was about ready to just drop everything and pull up my stakes and see where the wind would take me. I had an obligation to see to his well being and he helped to keep me grounded. He gave me the reason to see things through and to the other side and back to stability.
He was there for times I needed something to hold onto and times that I was resentful of his presence because I couldn't just leave him to his fate. I was tied to him as much as he to me.
When I had to admit that he needed to be Euthanized, I took him to the Animal Shelter for them to do that. I knew he was scared and I comforted him while they gave him the shot. I was watching and holding and talking to him while he was watching me.... while the light went out of his eyes.
I went home, got drunk, howled and screamed and cried until I stumbled to bed.
I still miss him but I am glad that he was there for me as I was for him, even at the end.
Thank You Fred
Words of wisdom, '"Sometimes the universe just provides you the answer even when you don’t know the question." - F P Wellman'