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.
DebraK from ~the Bunnies Bungalow~ says
I remember when you’d mention your Tara on GI. My daughter’s name is Tara.
Pets are the best, especially dogs. I was thinking of my pet today too & was surprised to see this post about your pet, we were thinking of the same thing! I can so relate to all your feelings….My dear Kira, a llhasa apso, was laid down 5yrs ago & I still think of her all the time. It was devastating to me at the time & only this year did I have enough nerve to travel on the same road as the vet’s office where she was put down. I just couldn’t bring myself to go on that road & I’d drive out of the way to avoid it. She was 14 at the time & was having seisures. Cushings disease was suspected but we never did know for sure. One night she had a pretty bad one & that was it. I could not bear to watch her suffer. I had a site for her at the “rainbow bridge” web site. It was so very hard….I loved that dog….
Now you have a new wonderful friend in Sam. He looks so friendly & fun. I can tell you enjoy his company. He looks like he is smiling at you! Molly & Maggie are cute, love those collars too!
I probably won’t get another dog either because of all the responsibility & worry, but I do love them all.
Jen @ The Cottage Nest says
What a sweet pup you had. It’s so hard to lose one. When our last golden died at the age of 14 1/2 I was devasted. I had been saying for years that I would take a long break from dog ownership when she was gone. I lasted 4 months. Loved the pictures of all of your doggy friends.
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
It’s so sweet to hear all of your wonderful comments about your own experiences with pets. I think we all understand how it feels to love & lose one & when it happens, you don’t forget it easily. Dogs have a special way of wriggling their way into our hearts & there is just nothing like ’em!
Thank you all SO much for telling me about your furbabies. I loved hearing your stories too!
xo,
Rhoda
Lynne says
I can’t imagine a house without dogs. I don’t know what I’ll do when Maggie and Teddy leave us.
When Teddy was diagnosed with his heart condition in December 05, we were told that he probably wouldn’t live another 6 months. Luckily, the predictions were wrong. He’s still with us and doing fairly well.
It’s so nice that you have neighborhood dogs that you can love on.
Andi says
What a wonderful post about your beautiful Tara. She was such a beauty with her shiny black coat.
I’m so glad you have visiting neighbor doggies to play with now.
Betty says
Rhoda,
I tagged you for the Eight Random Things About Me….Hope you will participate….it’s listed on my post today….Betty
Sandy says
Love the photos!
We are so in love with our dog, Haggis. We’re crazy in love.
Sandy 🙂
Robin says
Hi! I’m new here and LOVE your blog! I totally know your feeling of loosing your sweet dog, we lost our first dog on our six year wedding anniversary very unexpectedly….it was devastating! I thought I could never love another one again. We did however continue to have dogs and have enjoyed every moment….except the hair! I look at it as such a small price to pay for the “return” that I get back!
Bonnie says
Hi Rhoda…….I remember Tara too & the difficult time you had putting her to sleep. It hurts sometimes to do the best thing for them. You know we think Duke (our boxer) died in his sleep after 9 yrs of being with us. Macy (our new BullMastiff ) is the sweetest most docile dog we have ever had & we are just crazy about her…….she even looks like Duke!
I am so sorry about Tara…..glad you find joy in the dogs in the neighborhood & yes, we understand!
Bonnie
"Maggie" says
I can completely relate to your sadness. We had to put our lab Blue down last year and we forever miss him. We rode behind a small SUV a few days ago that had a dog that looked so much like ours I wanted to stop them but couldn’t. It’s a sadness that just never goes away. We too have a neighborhood dog named “Maggie” and it is also a lab. We get some comfort playing with her and watching her.
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Adriann says
I know how you feel when you lose a beloved animal. My cat was hit by a car over 10 years ago and I never wanted to get another animal. I didn’t want to deal with the pain of bonding with an animal and then losing it. It was very hard. DS keeps asking for a puppy, I guess I’ll eventually have to get another animal for him.
Glad you can enjoy the neighbor’s dogs.
Blessings!
justabeachkat says
You KNOW how crazy we are for our Miss Daisy! She’s definitely the sweetest and “bestest” dog we’ve ever had. In less than 4 months she’s wrapped herself around our hearts. It’s amazing the love she gives and the love we feel for her.
I loved this post Rhoda. What a beautiful tribute to your sweet Tara! You can just see in the photos her “sweetness”.
Hugs!
Kat
Sheila says
Our pets are a huge part of our families, and obviously Tara was no exception. Of course you miss her, and she can never be replaced. The fun you have with the neighbourhood puppies is a bonus, for them and you.!
Lovely photos..!
Decorating Queen says
Hello Rhoda,
I enjoyed reading your post this morning with my morning coffee. We have a black lab named “Max” he is part of our family. I like to say he is my third son. LOL! He is so gently and kind and the way you described your dog they both have the same character. Must be the lab. Cute pics of the other dogs. I will post a pic of Max on my blog so that you can see him when you visit. Have a great day! Nicole
Mrs. G says
I’m glad you have Sam & The Girls to visit with when you miss your Tara 🙂
Sam looks like a big ol’ sweetie…I wish I could give him a Squeeze!
The Decorated House says
Your Tara was such a sweetheart. And of course I love that pic of her backyard. Now that other cute black dog or the golden would be very tempting. But no more dogs for me. I can’t take going through losing one again. But at least we can treasure our memories of them.
Donna
SarahWhite says
Rhoda…I went to a yard sale at those little doxie’s house last year, maybe 2 years ago? They were just tiny squishy munchkins…but I’ve never forgotton them. Talked about them for weeks afterwards to my family. And the golden…I’ve seen him before too. Funny. I seem to remember dogs from neighborhoods. Seriously…you need a dog. How about a shedless Yorkie? And yes…your Tara was precious. 🙂
Lallee says
Rhoda, Tara was a beautiful dog. Our pets just never live long enough, do they? I’m glad to see you have some cute, friendly, and stylish fur friends in Alabama.
Mary says
You should continue enjoying your neighbors’ pets Rhoda, especially with allergies! Your little Tara was lovely and you gave her a wonderful home for a long time – her life would not have been the same without you loving & caring for her all that time.
We had our cat for 21 years and lived in a constant state of vacuuming and carpet cleaning, especially in the later years. I dislike it when you walk into a house and can smell animals – and no matter how clean one is you always can! Also the fur thing was awful (Tiny was a long haired Maine Coon)and my black pants were always a mess. So, no more animals for us – especially as we travel often and it’s so hard to leave them.
ang baylis says
Hi~
I found your blog through another blog and I’m glad I stopped by to read this!
Oh my… We had to put our Golden Retriever down a couple of years ago and it was definitely one of the most difficult days! I was just telling my husband THIS MORNING (who is a Veterinarian) that I think I am almost ready for another one! I LOVE Golden Retrievers and your post made me want another one now!
We are recent empty nesters and have sort of enjoyed the freedom we have now, but something is still “missing” in our home without Emmie.
Thanks for sharing these sweet memories!
I think for now I will find a friend’s dog to play with!
-Angie