› Forums › General Melanoma Community › He was just a dog.
- This topic has 30 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 2 months ago by KyCyn.
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- October 7, 2011 at 2:54 am
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.
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- October 7, 2011 at 10:14 am
Sorry John,
Trout the Dog sure sounded like one of the best.
yoop
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- October 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm
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
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- October 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm
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
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- October 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm
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
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- October 7, 2011 at 5:53 pm
John,
our condolences to you and family for your loss.
Jerry and Monty
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- October 7, 2011 at 5:53 pm
John,
our condolences to you and family for your loss.
Jerry and Monty
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- October 7, 2011 at 5:53 pm
John,
our condolences to you and family for your loss.
Jerry and Monty
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- October 8, 2011 at 12:29 pm
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.
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- October 8, 2011 at 12:29 pm
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.
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- October 8, 2011 at 12:29 pm
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.
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