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To Greener Pastures: Vanity
Self ^ | 7/12/07 | Self

Posted on 07/12/2007 9:59:24 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack

This morning, for the first time in almost nine years, I was not awakened by my canine alarm clock. I rolled out of bed to see my best friend Timber, stretched out at the foot of my bed where he laid down last night for what would be his final sleep.

Last night when I came home from work, all seemed fine, and even though he's been showing signs of age, there was nothing unusual about his demeanor or behavior. After my shower last night, I played with my dogs for a little while before bed, and will be forever grateful that I spent some time scratching his head and belly, tossing his ball and enjoying his company on his final day. Loyal and selfless to the end, he spared me the pain of deciding where and when he should be put to sleep, and he died silently in his sleep.

Timber came from excellent blood lines, and his noble and dignified appearance was only a pale shadow of his exceptional character. He stood by me through some of the worst times of my life, literally saving me twice that I know of. He was exceptionally gentle with children, and possessed of the kind of quiet self-confidence that we admire in the strongest, bravest humans. While I resist every effort to anthropomorphize my dogs and read human thoughts and emotions onto them, I can't help but liken Timber to the old knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: dignified, tired, but standing his post, loyal to the very end. I can honestly say that when I picked him from the litter in the autumn of 1998, I chose wisely.

It is said that a dog assumes the personality of his master. I should be honored if the reverse was true.

RIP buddy.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Miscellaneous; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: doggieping; dogs; germanshepherd; pets
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Timber 6-Pack
9/17/98 - 7/12/07

1 posted on 07/12/2007 9:59:25 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack
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To: HairOfTheDog

HOTD...If you’d let the group know, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.


2 posted on 07/12/2007 10:01:00 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack
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To: Joe 6-pack
I know its tough now but the memories will last you a lifetime. This is a Rainbow Bridge moment.


3 posted on 07/12/2007 10:05:55 AM PDT by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
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To: Joe 6-pack

damn...

RIP. Looks like a good ole boy....


4 posted on 07/12/2007 10:08:09 AM PDT by HOTTIEBOY (The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.)
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To: Joe 6-pack
Excellent vanity.

I took the opportunity to send it to my brother and his wife.

Their dog is near 13 years and they will soon face what your going through.

5 posted on 07/12/2007 10:09:51 AM PDT by OKIEDOC (Kalifornia, a red state wannabe. I don't take Ex Lax I just read the New York Times.)
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To: Joe 6-pack
Doggie Prayers...

Great looking guy.

6 posted on 07/12/2007 10:11:40 AM PDT by TexasCajun
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To: TexasCajun; OKIEDOC; HOTTIEBOY; darkwing104

Thanks...


7 posted on 07/12/2007 10:22:30 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack
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To: Joe 6-pack
I recently lost one of my pack. She was 18 years old.

It does get better.

L

8 posted on 07/12/2007 10:24:43 AM PDT by Lurker (Comparing moderate islam to extremist islam is like comparing small pox to ebola.)
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To: Joe 6-pack; sinkspur; 88keys; DugwayDuke; Severa; the OlLine Rebel; naturalman1975; Abathar; ...
Oh Joe... I'm so sorry. But be proud he lived and died so loved. It's all we can do.

Ping!


Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

When the body that lived at your single will,
When its whimper is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

(From Rudyard Kipling's "Power of the Dog")

9 posted on 07/12/2007 10:29:51 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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To: Joe 6-pack

Very beautiful dog, I am very sorry for you loss....~Pandora~


10 posted on 07/12/2007 10:30:24 AM PDT by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah ...... dilligaf? with an efg.....)
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To: Joe 6-pack

No truer love then the love of a pet. Sorry for your loss.


11 posted on 07/12/2007 10:32:24 AM PDT by Millee (Tagline free since 10/20/06)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Beautiful! Sorry for your loss.


12 posted on 07/12/2007 10:34:08 AM PDT by Sue Perkick (And I hope that what I’ve done here today doesn’t force you to have a negative opinion of me….)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Very well written tribute, Joe.


13 posted on 07/12/2007 10:37:44 AM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Condolences on your loss.


14 posted on 07/12/2007 10:37:51 AM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Joe 6-pack; devolve; HairOfTheDog
I'm so sorry Joe. I know the pain of losing a much loved dog - named 'potlatch'!


15 posted on 07/12/2007 10:49:11 AM PDT by potlatch (MIZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MIKAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_MAZARU_ooo_‹(•¿•)›_ooo_))
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To: Joe 6-pack
He was a good dog. May he rest in peace.

Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
and all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.
This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
BOATSWAIN, a DOG,
who was born in Newfoundland May 1803,
and died at Newstead Nov.r 18th, 1808

- George Gordon Byron, Lord Byron

16 posted on 07/12/2007 10:52:54 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother ((Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment)))
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To: HairOfTheDog; All
Timber taught me a lot about my relationship with my Master with regards to obediance, loyalty, and rendering unconditional love toward Him. Even in passing he taught me how important it is to embrace our loved ones as though it is the last time we might see them...it very well could be.

His presence was a blessing in my life and in the lives of many others, and I will be forever grateful that he spent his last night in a household that was free of anger, animosity, or ill will.

17 posted on 07/12/2007 10:54:58 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack
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To: Joe 6-pack

Oh no. Joe, I’m so terribly sorry to hear about Timber.
My heart is breaking for you.


18 posted on 07/12/2007 10:57:31 AM PDT by iceskater
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To: Joe 6-pack

God bless you and keep you in your time of loss.


19 posted on 07/12/2007 10:58:42 AM PDT by PeterFinn (Build the border fence and build it NOW!!!!!!)
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To: Joe 6-pack

I’m so sorry, Joe.

Your tribute to your faithful Timber was so obviously from the heart that my screen is all blurry.


20 posted on 07/12/2007 10:59:54 AM PDT by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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