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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
To: HairOfTheDog
HOTD...If you’d let the group know, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
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)
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.)
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.)
To: Joe 6-pack
Doggie Prayers...
Great looking guy.
To: TexasCajun; OKIEDOC; HOTTIEBOY; darkwing104
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.)
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 gonewherever it goesfor 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")
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.....)
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)
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….)
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?)
To: Joe 6-pack
Condolences on your loss.
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_))
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)))
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.
To: Joe 6-pack
Oh no. Joe, I’m so terribly sorry to hear about Timber.
My heart is breaking for you.
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!!!!!!)
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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