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He was just a dog.

Forums General Melanoma Community He was just a dog.

  • Post
    jag
    Participant

                       RIP Trout the dog, 7/14/1998-10/5/2011 (the guy on top had him since 2nd year in vet school.)

                                                          

       

       

      Just a Dog

       

                       RIP Trout the dog, 7/14/1998-10/5/2011 (the guy on top had him since 2nd year in vet school.)

                                                          

       

       

      Just a Dog

       

      You were just a dog. But a good dog. Right from the start. Your loyalty was never in question. And what you didn't know, you didn't know because I never took the time to teach you.

      When you were young I was harder on you. I expected you to understand the basics…and you learned them. A "bad dog" was like a whip on your back.

      But when uncontrollable instinct got you in trouble, I didn't hold it against you. I doctored you up, changed your bed and remembered that reason gets left behind in the heat of passion. Be it skunks, gyps or cloven hooves.

      You were patient with the young, pups or kids. They pulled your hair, barked around you in circles and rode on your back. I never had to worry. They were safe with you.

      You suffered the indignities of veterinary examinations, injections, probings and overnight incarcerations, refusing always to lift you leg under anyone's roof.

      You posed for pictures, rode on loads like an acrobat and endured spring clippings yet never lost your dignity.

      A fierce guardian of your territory, you did your best to protect us. I knew better than to shout you down at two in the morning. I always figured you were barking for a purpose.

      Old age was not unkind to you. Despite the hearing loss, cataracts and stiff joints, you carried on. Sure, I had to help you in the pickup, but you were part of the crew. I noticed you ate less, slept later and turned gray but you never lost your enthusiasm for being part of our outfit.

      People debate if dogs have a heaven. I'm not sure that matters. What is heaven to a dog? Enough to eat, something to chase, shade in the summer, someone to scratch your ears and pay you a little attention now and then.

      All I know is you added to our life. Companion, listener, guardian and connection to a part of nature we tend to overlook because we're too busy worrying about the minutiae of life.

      You reminded us to appreciate a sunny day, a bone to chew and a kind word. You'll be missed around here.

      You were just a dog. But you'll be in my heaven. Rest in peace, old friend.

      by Baxter Black

      Reprinted from The Edge of Common Sense with permission of the author Baxter Black, a retired veterinarian and a cowboy poet.

    Viewing 26 reply threads
    • Replies
        LV
        Participant

          Aw, sorry, John.

          LV
          Participant

            Aw, sorry, John.

            LV
            Participant

              Aw, sorry, John.

              akls
              Participant

                So sorry John. 

                 

                Amy S. in Michigan

                akls
                Participant

                  So sorry John. 

                   

                  Amy S. in Michigan

                  akls
                  Participant

                    So sorry John. 

                     

                    Amy S. in Michigan

                    yoop
                    Participant

                      Sorry John,

                      Trout the Dog sure sounded like one of the best.

                      yoop

                      yoop
                      Participant

                        Sorry John,

                        Trout the Dog sure sounded like one of the best.

                        yoop

                        yoop
                        Participant

                          Sorry John,

                          Trout the Dog sure sounded like one of the best.

                          yoop

                            Bonnie Lea
                            Participant

                              Oh John, I am so sorry to hear about Trout.  his grey chin gave him that – don't bug me you spaniels you.  But ya I am sorry.  At least he had you two as his 'mom and daad' and who better than live with our own doctors.   (no trips to emerg vets)  but tis hard on you and Merry and the little ones sure won't understand.

                              Take care

                              Bonnie

                              Bonnie Lea
                              Participant

                                Oh John, I am so sorry to hear about Trout.  his grey chin gave him that – don't bug me you spaniels you.  But ya I am sorry.  At least he had you two as his 'mom and daad' and who better than live with our own doctors.   (no trips to emerg vets)  but tis hard on you and Merry and the little ones sure won't understand.

                                Take care

                                Bonnie

                                Bonnie Lea
                                Participant

                                  Oh John, I am so sorry to hear about Trout.  his grey chin gave him that – don't bug me you spaniels you.  But ya I am sorry.  At least he had you two as his 'mom and daad' and who better than live with our own doctors.   (no trips to emerg vets)  but tis hard on you and Merry and the little ones sure won't understand.

                                  Take care

                                  Bonnie

                                Janner
                                Participant

                                  No such thing as "just a dog" – at least in my book.  RIP Trout. 

                                  Janner

                                  Janner
                                  Participant

                                    No such thing as "just a dog" – at least in my book.  RIP Trout. 

                                    Janner

                                    Janner
                                    Participant

                                      No such thing as "just a dog" – at least in my book.  RIP Trout. 

                                      Janner

                                      Jerry from Cape Cod
                                      Participant

                                        John,

                                        our condolences to you and family for your loss.

                                         

                                        Jerry and Monty

                                        Jerry from Cape Cod
                                        Participant

                                          John,

                                          our condolences to you and family for your loss.

                                           

                                          Jerry and Monty

                                          Jerry from Cape Cod
                                          Participant

                                            John,

                                            our condolences to you and family for your loss.

                                             

                                            Jerry and Monty

                                            Gale
                                            Participant

                                              That tribute brought a tear to my eye. I'm so sorry for your loss John. RIP Trout.

                                              Gale
                                              Participant

                                                That tribute brought a tear to my eye. I'm so sorry for your loss John. RIP Trout.

                                                Gale
                                                Participant

                                                  That tribute brought a tear to my eye. I'm so sorry for your loss John. RIP Trout.

                                                  Kimmer
                                                  Participant

                                                    it does defy common sense to love so much.

                                                    the words above by the cowboy poet gave me great comfort when you sent them for our AbbeyDog's passing.  I do so hope they do the same for you, John.  you know that good thoughts are coming your way.

                                                    I would like to think that Trout and Abbey are leaving silver pawprints all over our Heavens right now.

                                                    take good care, k.

                                                    ps we drove from Orlando to Atlanta last week and adopted another lovely lemon senior beagle from the Atlanta Beagle Rescue.  Hubs took me just 'cos I saw her picture on the website…he is a real good guy.  our CappiDog is helping me to heal and EmmaDog has a new friend.

                                                    Kimmer
                                                    Participant

                                                      it does defy common sense to love so much.

                                                      the words above by the cowboy poet gave me great comfort when you sent them for our AbbeyDog's passing.  I do so hope they do the same for you, John.  you know that good thoughts are coming your way.

                                                      I would like to think that Trout and Abbey are leaving silver pawprints all over our Heavens right now.

                                                      take good care, k.

                                                      ps we drove from Orlando to Atlanta last week and adopted another lovely lemon senior beagle from the Atlanta Beagle Rescue.  Hubs took me just 'cos I saw her picture on the website…he is a real good guy.  our CappiDog is helping me to heal and EmmaDog has a new friend.

                                                      Kimmer
                                                      Participant

                                                        it does defy common sense to love so much.

                                                        the words above by the cowboy poet gave me great comfort when you sent them for our AbbeyDog's passing.  I do so hope they do the same for you, John.  you know that good thoughts are coming your way.

                                                        I would like to think that Trout and Abbey are leaving silver pawprints all over our Heavens right now.

                                                        take good care, k.

                                                        ps we drove from Orlando to Atlanta last week and adopted another lovely lemon senior beagle from the Atlanta Beagle Rescue.  Hubs took me just 'cos I saw her picture on the website…he is a real good guy.  our CappiDog is helping me to heal and EmmaDog has a new friend.

                                                        MarieM
                                                        Participant

                                                          I'm so sorry John. He was lucky to have your family.

                                                          Marie

                                                          MarieM
                                                          Participant

                                                            I'm so sorry John. He was lucky to have your family.

                                                            Marie

                                                            MarieM
                                                            Participant

                                                              I'm so sorry John. He was lucky to have your family.

                                                              Marie

                                                              KyCyn
                                                              Participant

                                                                So sorry, John… pets are so very special…

                                                                KyCyn
                                                                Participant

                                                                  So sorry, John… pets are so very special…

                                                                  KyCyn
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    So sorry, John… pets are so very special…

                                                                Viewing 26 reply threads
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