He was the 3d golden we’ve taken from puppy to end, and he might’ve been the best (and the previous 2 were no slouches!) Our kids were at college and have been out of the house for most of his 11+ years, so he pretty much accommodated perfectly to my wife’s and my schedules/preferences as we’ve aged.
Perhaps the highlight was about 8 years ago, when I was working/living alone during the week in NW IN, 20 minutes from the Dunes. EVERY afternoon, every season, no matter the weather, I’d get out of work at 3:00 p.m., pick up Buster, and head to the Dunes. The park was generally deserted on weekday afternoons, and we’d walk for approx. 2 hours. Depending on the day, he’d run up and down the dunes, standing at the top waiting for me to catch up, or we’d walk along the lake, with me throwing a stick into the water over and over. He was the best workout buddy at the best workout facility imaginable.
I feel for you, as I’ve been there a few times. I am a greyhound person and commented to someone last week that I’m “on my second pack”. I generally have two at a time because my husband won’t let me adopt all of them, so their ages are staggered such that their time with us overlaps by a year or two.
I have to say that after losing one at an early age to osteosarcoma and another one to old age, the latter is absolutely more satisfying even though you feel the loss just as much. They come into your life as little balls of sunshine and bless you with their presence and love before they have to leave again. I am better for having known and loved them, as I’m sure you are for having known and loved Buster.
Thanks all. Hmm - wonder if I can get away w/ not vacuuming for a couple of weeks, w/ no more tumbleweeds…
Thinking about blowing the diet w/ a comfort pizza…
Anticipate getting another dog - just not sure what breed. We love goldens, but approaching 60, hauling his 73# around last night was more than we want to take on.
I’m so sorry, Dins. Since I’ve been here for over twenty years, I remember your goldens. I thought you still had Daisy.
You might try an English setter. They are sweet, soft dogs like a Golden, but usually weigh a lot less. I do transport for a rescue that brings setters in from Greece, where they bred them for the field, then dump them on the street to starve if they don’t hunt well enough.
Wow - your memory is better than mine! Daisy was a good one - as was Bowser before her. But Daisy was our kids’ dog, and Bowser was MY college dog.
These past 5 years or so it has just been Buster and the 2 of us, and we just got to the point where we all really liked each others’ company, and knew what each other liked/disliked. The dummy would give us the look saying, “Can we go downstairs and watch some TV?” And I guess I’ll have to walk down to the street myself to bring in the paper. That was always HIS job!
We’re thinking abut something smaller - 20-30# or so, but I REALLY like the golden personality, behavior. I’m REALLY wary about getting a terrier or something, and missing the golden…
Dogs give so much and leave an empty space in both your home and your life when they go. But having that connection with an animal is amazing – even though it hurts so much at the end.
It is amazing how many times your mind thinks of things related to the dog. Coming into the house, you think you’ll have to let him out. Then immediately after reminding yourself he is gone, you look to where he used to greet you…
My wife became enamored of King Charles Cavs after a dog show a while back. A niece who is a vet says they are horribly overbred and prone to all manner of disease.
Funny, several neighbors have expressed their sympathy and - may I say - grief. They enjoyed watching him run out and get the paper, chase a ball at the schoolyard down the block, and hang out while I did yard work. Our neighbor teen who watched him when we travelled was REALLY broken up.
We aren’t in a rush, but I’m thinking we are likely to fill this dog-shaped hole in our hearts and lives sooner rather than later…
Daisy was a good one - as was Bowser before her. But Daisy was our kids’ dog, and Bowser was MY college dog.
And I guess I’ll have to walk down to the street myself to bring in the paper. That was always HIS job! 