I had a pup.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I had a pup. Her name was Tara, she was a Black Lab, mostly.

Tara came to us from an animal shelter, one of a litter of pups that someone abandoned along a road somewhere. I never understood how anyone could abandon a litter of pups, but in this case it worked out for the best as homes were found for all the pups, and I got Tara.

Tara was a rare find. As a puppy she liked to chew everything in site, but she was incredibly easy to teach. As she grew older she became the pup everyone wishes they could have. She didn’t bark unless something needed barked at. She didn’t bother guest in our home unless they needed bothered. She would have rather exploded before she made a mess in the house. She was completely loyal and fiercely protective of her family, especially the kids. She knew her property and would never run off, but she would go visit the neighbors on occasion, especially if there was a cook out going on (she had a standing invitation) or if our one neighbor was giving her treats, as he tended to do.

Tara loved to play. She was a whiz at playing ‘keep the balloon in the air’ with the kids, but her favorite was playing ‘sorta fetch the ball’. She loved to have the ball thrown for her and she would bust her butt retrieving it, run it back to you, then not give it up. This was fun for her.

Tara, being mostly Black Lab, also loved to swim. She would take any opportunity to jump in the lake/pond/river/what have you. This combined with her protectiveness of the kids’ leads to one of my favorite Tara stories. We took Tara and ‘her boy’ down to the lake one day when he was little. Tara was in the water as soon as we got there. ‘Her boy’ also wanted to go for a swim, and that’s when her protect mode kicked on. Anytime he headed out into the water Tara would grab him by the shorts and put him back on the beach. He got so mad, but it was damn funny.

Tara took a few lumps in her life. At an early age she contracted heartworm, and it was successfully treated, but the vet warned us that the treatment could shorten her life span. She learned early that playing with the black kitty with the white stripe is a bad idea, as she took a direct hit right in the face, but that’s a whole other story in itself. She also was at the task when our idiot neighbors dog (not a nice one) decided to break chain and come over the fence when the kids were playing it the back yard. Tara had a few cuts and bruises on her but the other dog made a retreat. You didn’t mess with her kids.

Tara, despite the warnings of the vet, grew old. In her advanced age she began having problems with her hips, and she developed some internal problems. Recently it had become very difficult for her to walk. Last night, due to complications of the internal trouble she had, the decision was made to have her put down. I know in my heart that it was the right decision to make, but at this moment I am very torn up for making it. I couldn’t bring myself to be in the room when it was done, because I can’t stand for anyone to see me getting emotional, including Tara, and I don’t think that her seeing me crying would have helped anything. I am certain I will regret this decision but I believe she knows why and I hope she understands.

Tara, you are very loved. You brought such joy to your family. You are a true friend, companion, and protector. I am honored to have had a pup such as you. You will be sorely missed.
For Tara
1988-2001

2

{{{{{KP235}}}}} I don’t know if you do cyberhugs, but I do, so there. Sorry about your pup. It’s tough having to make a decision like that, but know it was for the best and she is no longer in pain. When my father died, what I learned from that is that death is not a bad thing for the one who dies, but for those who are left behind because we miss the one who is gone. Let yourself grieve, and remember all the wonderful times you had with her.

3

I am a quoteful person (just ask Cougarfang) and there is a quote that will go with it:

“Death is but the beginning.”
“The only true death is when one is forgotteby all.” ~ don’t forget those that you love, and even in the after-life, they will never forget you.

This might not make you feel better, but whenever im upset, i just think about the truth in life, and i feel more glad that at least i know the truth of life; when you love one, they will love you back, even if it will take a lifetime for them to realize. (urgh, my spelling sux)

4

The screen is blurry, forgive typos. Tara sounds like a wonderful companion, and the kind of dog that few of us could ever know. Count yourself lucky to have had her share her life with you and your family, as I’m sure she considered herself lucky to have you. It is an amazing experience to be with such a great dog. My condolences to you and your family.

[sub]RIP Laddie, 1972-1983[/sub]

5

Sweetie, so very, very sorry for your loss. May your pain be brief, and your memories long.

6

I had a collie for years that was more of a human than most of the men I dated. When we had to put him down, I cried for three weeks. (I still get misty thinking about it.) I’m so sorry for your loss. You truly have lost a member of the family. I’ll be thinking of you and your family and sending lots of good thoughts.

7

KP235, I’m sorry to hear of your loss.

It’s hard to make the decision you had to make but in the long run you know it was the right thing to do. Do not regret the choice to spare your friend a period of needless pain and suffering.

You have many fond memories of Tara and those will be what remains when the sting of her loss fades.

[sub]RIP Patches 1989-2001[/sub]

8

Thanks to all of you for your kind responses, and my apologies for my taking so long in getting back to thanking you.
The past week has been kind of a trip in many ways. The kind of week that I wish Tara was there to let me pet her and to reassure me all was right with the world. She’s not there anymore, and I do miss that, but it’s ok.
It’s a fact of life that people outlive their dogs, many times over. She was the second BL mix I’ve had and like Boots before her she was wonderful.
So my plans for now are, here in the next few months I’ll be moving. After that is done I’ll be checking the local animal shelter for a BL mix puppy. She’ll have to be a BL mix and she’ll have to be a she. They’re just the best.
After that, I’ll have all the fun of puppyhood, housebreaking, chewing everything in site, etc. It will be worth it.
There is a special joy in having a good pup in your life.
Tara won’t be replaced, only succeeded, and I’m looking forward to it.
Again, thanks for everyone’s responses.

9

I’m so sorry for your loss. But you know you did the right thing. And she’ll look down from Doggie Heaven and make sure your new pup only chews your good shoe a little.

10

“The misery of keeping a dog, is his dying so soon; but to be sure, if he lived for fifty years, and then died, what would become of me?”
– Sir Walter Scott

I’m so glad. A good dog would find it an honor that you loved her so much that now you must also love another. Our Miss Emily’s successor, Miss Phyllis, has been an absolute joy from the day we brought her home. Our love for her doesn’t diminish our love for Emily – it multiplies it.

[sub]RIP Miss Emily Kimberly 1988-1999

“I miss the wagging little tail;
I miss the plaintive, pleading wail;
I miss the wistful, loving glance;
I miss the circling welcome-dance.”
– Henry Willett, “In Memoriam”

(Damn, did he write that just for Miss Emily? It’s made me cry, as usual.)[/sub]

11

:frowning:

RIP Nike 1996-1998

Then, 3 days later, we got stuck with the “shit disturber”, Sully. He’s a good pup, though, and somewhere to put the love. Sadly, I’m living away from home at the moment, and DAMN do I ever want to go back home NOW!

2 1/2 more weeks…

12

Damn, why do I always read the threads that make me all teary. I am so sorry for you loss, but I truly believe that taking another living thing into your life and into your heart is never a mistake, no matter how they might hurt you.

[sub]RIP Petey 1981 - 1994
Tieg 1982 - 2000
Nelson 1995 - 1996

Cats, but all the same, I miss them.[/sub]

13

RIP Cloudy 1988-1991. A car hit her and we had to put her down, too. It was the first and only time that the entire family slept together in one room outside of a vacation, as we were all too heartbroken about it to be alone. We got a new dog the very next day, our sweet Stormy, and I swear I think it was the only thing that could have made our loss any less painful.

Good luck with the new pup, KP235. I know it’s almost as hard to take a new dog in as it was to let the old one go; there’s that phase of guilt you go through for daring to care about another animal, but it’s the best thing you can do for yourself. Tara was a lucky dog and you a lucky owner, and I’m sure it will only be the same way for your next pet. :slight_smile:

14

Well here’s the follow up.

A week ago Sunday my daughter, my niece, and myself made a trip to the Delaware County Humane Society.

This was our first trip out looking for a new dog, and damn if she wasn’t sitting there. Must be karma or something.

We have now adopted a 4 month old female black lab mix. The people at the shelter called her Lexus. My daughter ammended that to Alexis. I’m happy to call her Lexi.

I knew as soon as I saw her she was the pup, but someone had already put a hold on her. The shelter, it seems, has a policy of letting people put holds on dogs while they make up thier minds. We waited for the hold to expire and she hadn’t been picked up, so she’s ours.

We’ve only had her less than two weeks, but so far she reminds me alot of Tara when she was a pup, especially when she’s sleeping on my jeans that I left on the floor (Tara did that all the time). She’s only 4 months but she is already mostly housebroken. She’ll whine at the door to go out, even if it is snow and ice outside, and man I do appreciate that. She’s even been good about chewing stuff. I haven’t lost a shoe yet. All in all I believe Lexi will be a fine successor to Tara.

I’ll still miss Tara, but last week was the first time in a long time I was wakened by a pup licking my face wanting to go outside!

Life is good.