A Sad Goodbye

In my first post, I told all about the family dogs I've grown up with. A week ago, Ace died of cancer. It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to watch. He was weak, not eating and could barely stand. It was one week from diagnosis to death, barely any time to process anything.

While it was gut-wrenching to lose Ace, a part of our family for 10 years, it was made a little easier by a sympathy poem sent to my mom. It goes like this:

Dog heaven is a special place
My tail is wagging fast
With all the things we dogs enjoy
I'm having such a blast.

Each night when I look in my dish
I get filet mignon for dinner
Never that dry stuff or stale meat
No cereal or filler.

So many other dogs are here
I never get dog lonely
It never takes me long at all
To find that night's "one and only."

We have so many balls to chase
I'm getting so much fitter
With water flowing everywhere
Always sweet and never bitter.

Sometimes it looks like Star Wars
When I stare into the sky
It isn't UFO's I see
But countless frisbees passing by.

The firemen here all love the place
A perfect spot they can retire
With one hundred hydrants for each dog
They'll never have a fire!

Cars with windows lowered
Pass by me on the street
With dog ears flapping from each one
It makes me feel complete.

Yet in this perfect playground
Doing all I love to do
I find I'm often thinking back
Of all the times I spent with you.

There could be no kinder owner
We always had so much fun
Don't forget that I had seven years
Every time that you had one.

You always gave me so much love
Such kindness and attention
You deserve an owner's blue ribbon
Not just an honorable mention.

So please keep my memory active
In the morning when you eat
As you're chewing on your bagel
I'll be sitting at your feet.

Arf!

Love,

Ace


I still can't read this without breaking down into tears, but it is one of the most special letters a person can receive after losing such a cherished pet. So thank you, Theresa.

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Chew Toys, Anyone?

A little less than a year ago, my brother adopted a sweet little Boxer puppy. Everyone has great hopes for their newly adopted pups, and my brother was no different. While Gunner is an incredibly sweet, loving, smart dog, he definitely has one big vice: chewing. In all, Gunner has destroyed:

--a Blackberry

--an iPhone

--two additional cell phones

--a pair of Oakleys

--a windowsill

--a set of blinds

--a CD case, and the 72 CDs in it

--countless rolls of toilet paper --power cords

--a TV remote

--business cards

--and a pair of glasses.

He’s also taken all of the shorts out of a dresser drawer and chewed off the buttons. Just the buttons. The corners or mattresses and bedroom furniture are favorites as well.

I know many of you out there are thinking exactly what I was, “Then don’t leave him alone.” Unfortunately, Gunner does it at night when he should be sleeping. I also suggested not leaving things like phones and glasses on the floor, where Gunner has easy access. To which my brother replied, “He climbs onto the bed and takes them off of the nightstand.” Also, keep in mind that it happens quickly. Once, I was on the phone with my mom, who was dog sitting Gunner. She turned her back on him for a second, and then I heard, “Well, there goes the rug.”

The moral of the story? Be prepared when you bring home a puppy. My brother has handled it well, providing chew toys for Gunner and isolating him when he’s alone so that he has minimal access to off-limit items. Other adoptive owners have difficulty with destructive dogs, and unfortunately, many get returned to shelters because owners don’t want to put in the time to train them. So when you’ve got a newly adopted puppy on your hands, here are a few tips to remember:

--Breathe. Remember, it’s a phase. With the proper instruction and reinforcement, this will pass.

--Find the humor in it. I once used my boyfriend’s library card to check out a book. I promised him it would be returned on time, and I wouldn’t mar his name with late fees. Freckles had other ideas and promptly chewed the cover off. While I could have been upset and angry, I had to see the irony in the fact that he chose that particular book to destroy. And really, what’s $25 when I get to come home to this cute little face every day?

--Provide toys that dogs can chew up and destroy. Then, leave those toys with the dog when they’re alone. Isolate them if you can, either in a kennel or in a room that isn’t easily demolished (like the laundry room. Just make sure all cleaners and detergents are stowed).

--Play dates are a great way to socialize your dog and tire him out, leaving him less inclined to misbehave. Dog parks provide a lot of stimulation, or scheduling time with friends who have dogs can give those dogs who are more shy the opportunity to play one-on-one.

Now, go forth and enjoy your new addition. Your patience and constant love will be worth it in the end :)