In memory

I lost a friend yesterday, one of the best. A Border Collie/Blue Healer cross he defined the term “man’s best friend.” Life for him was meant to be lived extravagantly, along the way he fell out of Dad’s truck and slid down the highway, took a paintball to the eye, broke teeth chasing rocks and other things thrown for him, on numerous occasions went swimming with snow in the air, and through all of it was always ready for more. For almost 9 years he & I would do hikes, canoe trips and campouts together, his enthusiasm only dimmed towards the end as arthritis and his ailment took him. A working breed, the meanest thing you could do to him was expect him to sit quietly at home and do nothing. On rainy winter nights when all sane creatures wanted to stay inside by the fire he would beg to be let out, walk over to his frisbee and lay down in the mud beside it, looking at me with baleful eyes that asked “why won’t you play with me?” At 5:00 during the workweek he would station himself by the door, waiting impatiently for me to come home. When I arrived his whole body would quiver with the joy thrashing back and forth and he usually insisted on his hug before my wife got hers.

On Valentines 2002 he had his first seizure, a frightening thing that thrashed and flung him about, taking the recognition from his eyes. Minutes later, his side heaving, the recognition would come back and he would shakily rise to his feet and pace the house, driven by hormones loosened during the seizure. Medication would buy time but could not cure it. Over time it would get worse, as one level of medication would be unable to hold them back we would go to higher doses. Friday night they started again, by 5:00 pm Saturday he had been through 6 with no end in sight. This in spite of a heroic quantity of valium, a previously unbeatable medication. We took him out for one last time, to a favorite place, throwing a stick and letting him swim as much as he wanted. Then to the 24hr pet hospital and I held him while he went to sleep for the last time.

In 5 years or so I may get another dog but he will never be replaced.

Freckles: September 1998-July 28, 2007

I'm so sorry to hear about Freckles, Bruce. Animals have such a way with the unconditional love they give us, and in many ways, are almost human, as J.P. McEvoy put it so well:

Does anyone know, does anyone care
Where you go or how you fare?
Whether you smile or whether you sigh?
Whether you laugh or whether you cry?
Glad when you're happy?
Sad when you're blue?
Does anyone care what becomes of you?
I do, pal ---- I'll say I do!

Sounds like Freckles had a great life and brought a great deal of joy to all who knew him. What more could you ever ask of anyone? 5pm will be tough to handle for a while, but know that he will still be there at the door waiting for you....

Bruce, sorry to hear about Freckles. Dogs are great and their love is inconditional. The picture of Freckles says it all.

My heart is broken for Freckles and for you and your loss.

A moving tribute for a great dog. Thank you for sharing Freckles' story and photograph with us. As you say, he can never be replaced, but perhaps the best way you can honor Freckles would be to give some other worthy dog the kind of life that Freckles had. You sound like the kind of person who ought to have a dog, when you are able to face the idea.

Bruce, I'm sorry for your loss. We have always had dogs in our home since we were married 40 years ago. Their loss is always a shock but the photos and memories are always with us. We currently have two "Pound Puppies" we rescued from Animal Control and they have provided us with love and laughter for over 7 years. Another "fur friend" will come into your life, not to replace Freckles, but to merely "be there" for you.

Bruce, I am sorry to here about your loss of Freckles. I can tell from your post you had alot of love for him and that you will miss him very much. I have a golden retreiver named Copper. The unconditional love and loyalty from him is something I cherish also. I wish we all had more people in our lives with these qualities. After some time I hope you will consider another pet.
God Bless You
Gale

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Yes he will be missed, and for awhile it will be very intense, but I do have the memories and life does go on. Once we've finally moved out of town I will get another dog, when I'm able to let him/her roam some, not pen it up like I had to do with Freckles. I've seen it break the spirit of too many good dogs who weren't able to do what their instincts told them to. I was lucky he handled the confines of our home as well as he did.

Thanks again

Sorry to hear of your loss Bruce. I totally understand the connection you had with Freckles. In addition to your own family it sounds like there is a pretty good support group right here at CSNP to lean on. Best wishes and fond memories!

Hi Bruce,
I'm so sorry about Freckles. Sounds like you gave him a great life.
I lost a beloved one a few years ago and while the memories were fresh we wrote down all the goofy habits, funny memories, unique traits and anything else that made Cody our "wonder dog". It's been four years, but every now and then I see that list and it makes me laugh out loud, shed a tear or two and just makes me so thankful for the wonderful times we had. My thoughts are with you.

Bruce,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I never knew how much of a friend a dog could be until I lost mine 9 years ago. You're right. He can't be replaced. His memory will live on as I do.My heart goes out to you.

Sorry for the loss of such a great dog! I just got back from a week of vacation and read your post. Being a "dog person" it took a few minutes to get eyes dry enough to type this. Dogs are such a great freind to have. They are such good listeners. Just looking at Freckles picture brings a smile to my face. All these good memories will get you thru this.