Posted on 12/13/2001 12:07:14 PM PST by Flyer
I want a puppy for Christmas!
Okay, I don't really want a puppy for Christmas. Yes, I do want a puppy, but not quite yet. My last three dogs have come into my life as adults. I haven't had the joy (and aggravation) of raising a puppy since 1986.
I had four dogs until just a couple of years ago.I had to put one to sleep due to trauma injuries, and another that was old with failing health. A third I put to sleep just about six weeks ago. She had severe spondylosis, but lived 3 - 4 years longer than the vets had expected. I cherished every extra day we had together.
I have mentioned here before that I used to work with dogs (and cats), up until a year ago. I worked at an animal shelter for 3 years, a veterinarian for 6 years and 2 years at a first class boarding kennel. During those eleven years I touched the lives of about 10,000 different dogs. That's not an exaggeration. I crossed paths with about 100,000 dogs, but I'm just counting ones I, in some way, have touched their lives. (yes, much of this was from the work at the shelter. We took in 35 - 40,000 animals a year) Of the ten thousand there were probably 500 that I knew very well from seeing them over and over at the vet and the boarding kennel. I loved them as my own dogs and they loved me as their own 'person'.
My new puppy will be a Golden Retriever named Re-Boot, in hopes of filling the shoes (paws?) of the Golden I recently lost. My remaining dog is a Golden and yes, they are my favorite breed. There any many other breeds I like, though. Border Collies are very smart and I will probably have one some day. Corgi's have taken a piece of my heart, too. I will probably never own a Standard Poodle but they are very fun dogs once you get to know them. Over the years it was quite an experience spotting the common traits in the different breeds.
I want a puppy for Christmas. So why don't I get one?? Raising a puppy properly requires time and money. The time I have now. The money - I don't. So I will wait. My puppy will be there when I am ready. (and please reconsider if you are thinking of giving a pet as a Christmas gift - but that's a chapter in itself)
So why am I posting this frivolous little story? Because I hope to get the attention of all of you that read these animal threads and ask a favor of you. Lately Tabitha Soren has been a pest on these innocent, "G" rated animal threads. I want to ask you to join me and just ignore her and not give her the dignity of a reply. I know, she gets us all PO'ed, but if we just ignore her she will lose the satisfaction of the attention she gets, and she won't have replies to reply to.
BTW. . . post your pet stories here and we won't let this warm and fuzzy thread get hijacked!
Merry Christmas,
Flyer and Gilligan
I would have to see this place with my own eyes before I believe it. I have a friend in a high level at the HSUS. I may ask her what she knows of this place.
Good suggestions, but I'm at a point where a new pair of sneakers is a major purchase. I don't want to have to think twice about a trip to the vet. My puppy will wait for me.
Remember -- Irish Setter puppies who sit on laps grow up to be Irish Setters who think they're lap dogs.
My chances of a laptop are slim to none. Ah well, but I have ZERO material complaints, so... wants are one thing, needs another. All my material needs are generously met.
Dan
On both these shows, which depict true stories related by the people involved, I have seen cases where a dog or pet has passed from this life, and the owner continues to sense or actually felt the presence of their beloved pet. I don't feel like this is blasphemy to one who loves God, because I firmly believe God sent my Bea to me. She and your Brunna are GIFTS from Him. Why wouldn't He continue to let them love and comfort us?
There is a thread here on FR this AM, "Do Animals Have Souls", or something like that. I haven't read it yet, as I wanted to respond to you. I believe they do have spirits, if not souls. They would give their lives for us ... many have. That takes something really special. On this one, I have an open mind.
g
I know my Brunna was a gift from God. When I got him at 6 months old his name was Cavendish and I waited a while before renaming him. Although my own surname is NOT O'Dea, I called him 'Brunna O'Dea' because that translates loosely in Gaelic (Irish) as "Gift from God".
People on FR, such as yourself, have been a source of great consolation at this dreadful time - something completely unexpected because I think I've posted only three times since I registered back in '98.
Thanks again and a prayer of thanks for this great site.
They're great companion dogs. They're fiercely protective and think they are dobermans. Piper was our first Yorkie, he was small about 4 lbs at his heaviest. When I took him to obedience class the first night he introduced himself to a german shephard by leaping up and grabbing the shephard by the throat and would not let go - no matter how hard the shephard tried to shake him loose. He didn't hurt the shepherd, but it was clear that Piper earned his respect that night. The shepherd never came close to him after that.
Pugs are handy, because when they're being obnoxious you can always just stand them on their faces in the corner :)
What's up with "Tabitha Soren" and G-rated animal threads? She some kinda perv or something?
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