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Some Days I Miss My Dog

August 1, 2007 By Rhoda 47 Comments

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I had the sweetest dog in the whole wide world & her name was Tara. She was with me almost 15 years. She was a stray, just a mutt, but aren’t those the best kind? I adopted her when someone from the neighborhood I used to live in (in GA) brought her by trying to find a home for her. She was less than a year old (above) & she quickly earned a soft spot in my heart that is still there. I realized after she was gone just how few pics I had of her & I really hate that, cause she was the sweetest dog ever. She was a mix of cocker spaniel & I think, Lab & had the best temperament. She was my watch dog & would bark at anyone who dared come into the yard or to the frontdoor, then as soon as someone talked sweet to her, she would lick them to death. She was my faithful friend, companion, & baby I never had & I don’t think there will ever be another dog like her for me.

Sadly, I had to put her down before we moved to Birmingham, in October of 2005. She was just shy of her 15 birthday & really not doing very well. She had severe arthritis & could not climb stairs anymore & the last 3 mos. of her life began acting strange & not herself. She started not wanting to come in the house with me at night when I got home from work. And that was really not like her! I knew her quality of life was gone at that point. So, I knew her time was coming & I had to prepare for it & I couldn’t move her in the shape she was in. But, I don’t think you really ever prepare yourself for something like that. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I cried for the first week & then things began to get better. I knew I would miss her & time would move on, but sometimes I think about her & wish I could see her running to greet me just one more time & get those doggies kisses she so freely gave me. Talk about unconditional love…those dogs know how to give it!

The first week or so after we moved in this house, I saw a dog right down the street out walking with the owner….and I did a major doubletake. That dog is a dead ringer for my Tara. I finally met the owners & told them about Tara & I still want to show them pictures. They could be twins! I mean identical! I just don’t get to see her all that often, I think they keep her in the house most of the time. Tara had a beautiful black glossy coat of fur & furry feet that looked like she was wearing house slippers & she dropped black hair all over the house. Now, the hair…I don’t miss that! Between her & the cat, my house was one big furball! I know you who have pets totally understand that. My mom almost disowned me (not really!) when she found out I had a dog in the house. She did not raise me like that. I wasn’t planning to have a dog in the house…it just slooooowly happened. Here she is in 2003 in my old GA backyard. She was getting some age on her by then, but still got around pretty well.
How could you not love that face?? By this time, she really had a gray beard. She was my spoiled little girl & I’m so thankful that I had her for as long as I did. She followed me around & was a faithful companion.

So, what do you do when you are petless for the first time in many years….well, you go & play with the neighbor’s dog.

Meet Sam…Sam is a fun-loving, let’s play all the time Golden Retriever next door (remember Grant from my landscape project…Sam belongs to his family) & he is always ready to come out & see me. So, when I get the urge to pet & hug on a doggie, I go & visit Sam. I took his picture & he wasn’t quite sure why I was pointing a camera at him. See, he looks sort of sheepish…like, why are you pointing that thing at me?! Let’s do something fun! I want to run & play. You should see this dog…he can jump higher than any dog I’ve ever seen…his legs are like springs! He has an invisible fence in the frontyard that does the trick in keeping him in & I have seen him soar over their back gate to the frontyard like he’s a pole vaulter. I told him to sit while I took his pic & he was a very obedient young man.
Hurry up..I don’t want my picture taken anymore! So, I said Sam….go get your ball! Those ears perked up & off he went in the bushes, searching…..and out came the frisbee!
So, I threw the frisbee with him for a bit….he never gets tired…he can go & go & go & will bark at you if you stop! He doesn’t always drop it though….he wants to lay down & keep his paw or mouth on it so you have to play tug-o-war, but will eventually give it up.
Good boy, Sam!

There are a few others in the neighborhood too that I love to visit. Like the sister dachsunds down the street named Maggie & Molly. They are such snugglers (especially Molly) & will give lots of kisses. Aren’t they adorable in their leopard collars?!

So, I can hear you now….Rhoda, you have to get another dog! But, you see, after all those years of taking care of my precious girl, I am just not ready to commit to it again. I know I could fall in love with a new baby in an instant, but we are going to remain petless for now. I have allergies & after my dog was gone & I found a home for the cat, I have to say, I do not have nearly the troubles I used to have with my allergies.

 

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Filed Under: Family Friends and Me 47 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. willzmom says

    August 3, 2007 at 8:52 am

    I know what you mean. We lost our sweet golden retriever after about 11 years and I said then I would never get another dog, it hurt SO bad. Then I had a baby and we were petless until last year when he told me he wanted a dog. We now have Rex, a mixed breed who is all kinds of crazy, but he’s a sweet boy and once again I’m HOOKED! Enjoy the dog next door-it’s just like being a grandparent or aunt-love them and then they go home!haha

    Reply
  2. Felicia says

    August 3, 2007 at 9:35 am

    Thank you so much for honoring Tara by sharing her story with us. She was lucky to have you in her life. I enjoyed meeting your neighborhood dogs as well 🙂

    Reply
  3. Naturegirl says

    August 3, 2007 at 10:41 am

    I truly felt your emotion as you wrote about your ~Tara~ ..our fur friends are always in our hearts even though they have passed on.

    I have recently lost one of my babies
    but relize it was Freddis’ time. I am blessed to have my two girls with me Paisley and Babie and you have all those neighbourhood buds to pet and play with! Beatuiful post! hugs NG

    Reply
  4. Gretchen says

    August 3, 2007 at 2:50 pm

    I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your furrbaby. Nothing can ever replace the unconditional love they give. Do you know about the Rainbow Bridge?

    I would never suggest getting a new one. Sometimes, when you lose one, there could be no replacement.

    I just lost my beloved Adonis two weeks ago. He was my best friend. I can’t even look at his photo without crying. I miss him more than I can ever say.

    Reply
  5. Allison says

    August 5, 2007 at 3:13 pm

    Your dog was so cute! It’s wonderful that you had so much time with her. We’ve had our pets a very long time as well, and I know it will be very tough when their time comes. It’s nice though that you have neighbor dogs to visit and give love to. I understand about not wanting to commit again for a while. Tara sounds like a real sweetie and it’s hard to think of having another one that would be different.

    allie
    http://www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

    Reply
  6. Sadie Olive says

    August 6, 2007 at 7:39 pm

    It always breaks my heart to hear about animals who have passed. 🙁 I can imagine how hard a loss it must be. I have a cat that I have had for 12 years now, and I am so scared of the day I lose her.

    As long as you get your puppy love in somewhere, that’s all that matters. 🙂

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me?

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