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.
Tammy518 says
Rhoda, I’m so sorry that you lost such a precious baby. We lost our Sassy at age 11 in April of 2005. Losing her was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face, and I’m tearing up now, thinking of her and your sweet Tara.
You mentioned wishing you could see Tara running again — you will, when you meet her in Heaven. That’s what really got me through when Sassy died, and thinking over her strong and healthy again. Have you read the Rainbow Bridge poem? If not, you really need to look it up on the Internet. It’s about precious furbabies waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for their human family members to come meet them and go on into Heaven.
On a more cheerful note, our life has been taken over by another baby — this time one crazy pug named Lucy. She is not quite two years old yet and she really keeps us hopping! It’s hard to put your heart out there again, but I couldn’t imagine not having Lucy.
All your neighbor doggies are so sweet! Thanks for sharing their pics.
Julie says
Life without animals…WHAT IS THAT??? ha ha…
I have often said that when I die, I have 1 bone to pick with God and that is …if they are “man’s best friend” how come they don’t live as long as the man???
I have had so many wonderful animals in my life it would take forever to share them all..but the current Corgi we now have (the one who lives indoors with us) is the smartest dog I have ever seen!
Mary Ann Tripoli says
Hi Julie,
I’m Mary Ann and I love the rainbow bridge poem!My 11 yr old yorkie (princess Bling bling) is terminal 🙁 Triccia probs and very enlarged heart. I am trying to prepare myself but just can’t imagine not havering her, Bling is the daughter I never had and after I lost my Ma Bling became my new best friend and we have been inseprable for over a decade . This will be every bit as hard on me as loosening my Ma. But what I was going to say is, I have rescued animals well all my life really and I have even gotten angry at God wondering why do dogs have such short lives???? Why when dumb turtles can live to a hundred! We’ll I have come to believe that God loves dogs so much that he couldn’t bare to see dogs chained to a tree for 15 years or worse so he shortened their sentance. Dogs are a gift to man and I’m so greaful that I was allowed to be my little angels Mommy! Bling is stable, not in pain, she knows I love her like my own baby, I’m taking good care of her every day and hope God doesn’t take her too soon!
DiddleDaddleDesigns says
Rhoda, thanks for sharing this story. I know there are many of us who can relate. We really do get attached to these furry creatures just like they were human. They love us even when we bother them. I have two cats and the older one especially would prefer to be left alone most of the time. I love her just the same. I know she loves me too even though she sometimes has a weird way of showing it :).
Tonja says
Oh sweet memories you have. My fox terrier, Scooter, is 11 years old. I don’t know how I could enjoy life without him. Beautiful pics!
Funny you should mention Cahaba Heights in your previous post. I took Alex to B’ham for a dr. appt on Mon, and afterwards he wanted to see the Harry Potter movie. So we went to the Summit, so I could be entertained as well. As we were leaving to start home, my DIL called and said, “since you are at the Summit, take this road and this one and go to the shop, Lamb’s Ear.” So we did, and I saw all those shops you were talking about. Oh, how my junking genes were kicking in! I could spend a week just exploring all those neat shops! Did find Lamb’s Ear. Are you familiar with it? Lovely little shop. I’m going to do a post on the treasure I found there.
Blessings,
Tonja
Deb says
Wonderful post & pictures Rhoda. As a dog lover – this post was a favourite :-}
Nicki says
what a sweet post!! sorry about your dog…..we lost a dog last year who was actually a golden, those pictures of sam made me think of him!! loved reading about all your neighborhood buddies!! =)
Sandy McTier says
Oh! you know you want to!
I was so there for the longest time and as you know just added to additions to our family. We’ve had to get rid of so many pets due to military moves overseas and my kids asked me how long we were keeping these dogs, this time? How sad huh? Well, I told them they are ours to keep no matter where we move to!
Wonderful post. Love the pics of the neighborhood dogs and your precious dog that you lost.
Have a blessed day.
Suzanne says
Rhoda~ you had me crying at the beginning of your post about Tara. Pets are sooo much a part of our lives, and so special. We have a min. shnauzer (8 yrs. old) and my hubby says after he is gone (our dog, not my husband!), we won’t get another dog, because there will never be another dog like Roscoe.
It’s nice that you can visit and play with the neighbors dogs!
Please stop by my blog sometime this week, I’m having a “gift-away”.
Jen says
It is so amazing how a dog or a cat can enter our lives and leave such a lasting mark. Your story brought back such wonderful memories of a puppy I received when I was five, also a mutt, named Patches. He lived until I was 17 and was missed so terribly when he was gone! Now my children have a puppy of their own that they are growing up with: a rambunctious beagle named Snoopy. I loved all of the pictures you have shared. It is great that you have neighbors with pets you can visit when you feel the desire to spend time with a furry friend.
Susan Ramey Cleveland says
Rhoda, I was so sad reading your story of your sweet doggie Tara. She was so pretty. We almost lost our Sophie this past spring. She came down with hemolytic anemia very quickly and was almost gone by the time we knew she was sick. It has been a long pull, but she’s back in good health. She’s only 5 years old, so we’re hoping to have her for many years to come. I hope that you do someday have another sweet fur baby in your life. There’s nothing like the love, fun, and companionship they give.
Did you know that the pet clinic on Hwy. 280, I think it’s Riverview, has a chaplain now? I read about him in the newspaper. He believes, as I do, that animals have souls, and that we’ll see our lost ones again.
Nathan's Uncle says
Now that’s my kind of post! A fitting tribute to an angel in fur. I for one know everything Rhoda wrote about Tara is true.
I still remember when I stayed at Rhoda’s once back in the 1990s. The first morning Tara came running in the bedroom and jumped up in bed with me, a proper welcome. I remember she had the sweetest eyes. I’m a dog lover, but Tara was special, and I always looked forward to seeing her every time I went through Atlanta.
I can’t believe how it worked out that I got to tell her goodbye. The week before Rhoda had to send Tara back to Heaven, I just happened to be heading up to my cabin in the mountains. Rhoda was not at home, but she left the garage open so I could go in. When I opened the door, Tara barked, but then she saw it was me and she was her same sweet self. I could see how she had aged and how difficult it was for her to get around. I stroked her soft fur and told her goodbye. I left with tears in my eyes, but I was grateful that I got to tell her goodbye.
We miss you Tara . . .
Love, Cousin Howie
P.S. Rhoda, I have a great picture of Tara with me in your living room in Marietta, of course we are both much younger with less gray in our beards. When I find it, I’ll scan it and send it to you.
extra good mom says
Rhoda, I completely understand your feelings of loss and not wanting to get another dog. It took me about 5 years, maybe more, to get another dog after my beloved Boston Terrier had to be put down. There is a children’s book called “Dog Heaven” and there’s also “Cat Heaven” that is so comforting. Just don’t read it in the store. I used to work at Barnes and Noble and cried like a baby at the customer service desk when that book came in on special order. But then I had about 10 people order it! My stepmom and dad have a standard poodle that does not cause an allergic reaction and he’s great. So, you might think about that breed – if you ever want to get another dog. Sometime way down the road, perhaps. PS – this is my first comment to yu and I have to mention that I feel like a stalker. I check your site every day and get a little thrill when there’s something new! I’m not weird, just a beginning blogger that LOVES your site and decorating! Hugs, Lisa
http://www.extragoodlife.blogspot.com
Rosemary says
What a sweet dog that you had.
I know what you mean. I am petless too for the first time. My last cat died a year ago. I pet the neighbors dogs too. My daughter has 4 cats at her house. So I play with them.
I must admit, that it is a lot less work now, but you do miss them.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Rosemary
Simply Me Art says
Rhoda, So sorry about Tara. I do know your feeling, I have had to put an animal down and it hurts so much. I’m sure when you are ready you will add another four legged friend to your home.Sometimes I think we need longer to get over something. I have three Loves and it is in my mind that someday I will have to say goodbye. I tell them almost daily that they will be with me forever! Hugs, keep getting those doggy fixes from those Gorgeous Neighborhood dogs that will help. Jamie
PAT says
This is a sweet post, Rhoda! I remember Tara. She was beautiful and I know how much you loved her.
Great photos of your “neighbors”! Pets are known to lower blood pressure, so a visit with these wonderful animals is good for you!
Pat
RealEstateGirl says
Awwww, your dog was so precious! It is like losing a member of the family, isn’t it?!
But I love that you can love on the neighborhood dogs. We have a neighbor dog like that…he likes to come and play but then goes home to his “mama and daddy”… kinda like having grandkids!
daisy cottage says
Rhoda I remember when you went through that heartbreaking time with Tara. Such a beautiful dog she was and oh what a sweet, sweet face. I know you loved her so very much. ((hugs)) She was SO incredibly blessed to have spent her life with you.
xo,
Kim
Betty says
Rhoda, I sympathize with you. We had Bandit, a Shitzu, for 12 years and he developed a heart condition so the vet said. We were living in Thomaston at the time. We gave him the first dose of medicine and he died in my husband’s arms shortly thereafter. We brought him 160 miles to the farm that afternoon and buried him. I knew one day we would leave Thomaston and I didn’t want to leave him there. He needed to be at home.
I haven’t gotten a dog since….just can’t bring myself to get one…although we had collies when our girls were growing up. Edward would like to get one now….maybe…….
Thanks for coming to see me…..Betty
cityfarmer says
lots of sad pet stories this week…
Anonymous says
Hi Rhoda,
I so enjoyed looking at your sweet dog’s pictures and your neighbors too. I realized a few years ago while scrapbooking a few pages of our pets past and present that I had so few pictures of my sweet mutt, Suzette. Like your Tara she was my sweet baby. I’m disappointed that I didn’t take more pictures of her.
It was years before I got another dog. Now I have three Chihuahua’s and they are my life. So never say never, if can happen……lol.
Hugs,
Judy (in McDonough)