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.