Monday, February 06, 2012

The Dogs We Love

Tsuga, on a recent good day. Photo by Dave Lewis
I work in the dog industry and am surrounded by lots of different dogs each and every day. I've trained lots of peoples dogs, and get to play with dogs all day long. I like a lot of dogs- and love a lot of dogs too. I spend more time with the dogs at work than my own dogs sometimes, and as you can expect we form attachments. And despite what you may have been told there are always favorites. Dogs that we especially like for one reason or another, or dogs that we connect with. It's amazing to think that you can love a dog that's not your own.

Today one of the dogs that I loved died of Cancer. He has been sick for a few months now, and actually lived longer than the Vets guessed. What makes this even sadder is that just a few months prior they lost their other dog to Cancer aswell. That dog also was a favorite- a flatcoat that had a wag and a kiss for everyone. Their hearts haven't even had a chance to heal from that sudden loss and now they are faced with another.

Tsuga was a great dog- a border collie cross pup rescued with his littermates, that grew into a handsome Shepherdy looking guy. Full of life and happiness. He was never a wild player at work- but had a thing for the "girls" and would often hang out on the outside edges flirting with a pretty little lab. Tsuga was sweet, and affectionate, and eager to please. A dog that didn't like to make mistakes or be wrong. A sensitive soul who liked to jump up to say hi even though he wasn't supposed to.

He will be greatly missed. :(

Life is not fair.
This sort of thing makes my own problems seem so small and petty.

8 comments:

Tucker The Crestie said...

Tsuga's family (as well as you, and all who loved him) will be in our thoughts as you grieve for a special soul gone too soon.

Lybertygirl said...

Cancer Suck - we too have lost two beloved members of our family in as many months...my thoughts are with you and their family. Tke comfort as I truly believe they wait for us at the bridge.

Jenny Glen said...

I lost 2 dogs within 7 months (a few years ago) -both from a tumor in the gut. You got to wonder if sometimes the best friends try to go together. Maybe a little bit of Where The Red Fern Grows... Please pass on all of our sympathies to his owners.

onecollie said...

:(
I didn't know :(

Mary Lou said...

Oh, my.... Those poor people.... First one dog, then the other.... Please accept my deepest, most heartfelt condolences....
Rest in peace, Tsuga....

^..^Corgidogmama said...

What a beautifully written and loving tribute. Gone too soon.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Amanda - Tsuga & Jasper were our special boys, nice to know they were loved by others just as much as by us.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the kind words Amanda. You had a special place in their hearts...the mention of your name brought 'smiles', squeaks, and wiggles. They were lucky to have have met such a passionate animal person.

Dave