Posted on 03/10/2017 7:09:14 AM PST by RummyChick
But, dogs are damn near close ... [sniff]
I love ya, Murphy. You were our good boy. Phoebe would have been proud of her brother.
#15yearoldbeagle
#murphmymurph
I’m with ya brother. I’ve never been a dog handler, but I’ve owned quite a few dogs, only one of which - the best of them - I’ve had to put down.
We got “Chance” as a puppy, the pick of the litter and one of seven in the litter. When we went to pick him out, three of his siblings were nursing and three were sleeping on a blanket not far from their mom. But there was this one puppy, sitting on his haunches watching the cars and people go by. As we walked up the sidewalk to his home, he came bouncing out to greet us, wagging his tail so hard I thought his back would break.
It didn’t take us long to decide that he was “the one”. That was in 1986 and, in 2001, after raising and protecting all four of my children through the latter half of my Army career and several deployments, some difficulties with his hips and his digestive system, I held him close to me as I had him put down. I will never forget how his tail was wagging while the doctor shaved his leg and inserted the needle while I told him how much I loved him, that I’d miss him and never forget him.
I sobbed for over an hour and, until that point, didn’t truly appreciate the depth of the bonds between a man and his dog.
“Served our country.
So yeah...”
Lets not go overboard on this. I’ve had dogs put down too, and it’s sad.
But the dog didn’t serve his country. It had no conception of what a country is. It served it’s handler that it had bonded with, and rewards (treats) were a big part of the motivation just as with all other Canine/human relationships. It would have bit the Commander and Chief at the behest of the handler...
We’ve had an empty nest for quite few years and lately I’ve wanted to get a dog but husband doesn’t want the responsibility and with my hours it would require his help. So I’ve just consoled myself with the fact that at least I will never have to deal with the loss of a beloved pet in future.
But I’ll probably get one anyway upon retirement. Though it will most likely be one of those little foo foo or ankle biter types. Which I really don’t prefer.
Gut wrenching.
I’ve always had really large dogs, not just large but really large dogs. I’m afraid that when this one leaves I’ll have to get a fro from one too because it’s just too easy to be knocked over.
Life without a dog is really not life.
Folks with your perspective, while earnest, completely miss the point.
Yeah but we do.
The flag is for us, and I, for one, have no problem using the flag to honor this animal and his handler.
Had to put our lab, Jed, down last year. Terrible.
This is an act of love so I'm good with it.
Had to do this to my 19 year old kitty two years ago.
A massively suckful experience, necessary as it is.
I feel so bad for this guy. Been there, done that. It breaks your heart, and the pain never quite goes away.
Loss of a pet is a special kind of pain in this trail of tears called life.It never ends and hurts so bad. God bless, RIP and always remember the Rainbow Bridge. Amen.
It’s a gut wrenching experience to lose any dog, but especially one you’ve raised from a puppy, the bond is something that people who’ve never experienced it just don’t understand. They’re so loyal and true, so trusting and dependent. They don’t understand mortality, it’s all in your hands. Be good to them, that’s all I’ve got to say. They’ll give their all for you without a second thought.
We felt the same way when my daughter lost her black lab. She was our 1st. “grandchild” and we cried for days.
She now has the most wonder Golden and I dread the day that Kelly goes.
Know exactly how he feels. (Except for the together in battle part) Our pup died suddenly in January. Needed tissues for this one...
You know it is.
My own dog has taught me the past few years: anything which possesses the capacity for love, has a soul.
Per that measure, a dog possesses more soul than many humans. Too many of us have the capacity, but don't seem to care about it.
Every time I read a story like this, I start to weep. I weep for the owner’s loss and I weep because “been there, done that” with my childhood toy fox terrier after 16 years and 5 cats over decades of cat ownership, all of which lived to be 16 except one, who died last year just shy of 10 years old from bone marrow cancer.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.