Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Man's Best Friend

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about our dogs Ziggy and Marley. These dogs were my first babies and I loved them dearly.They were a big part of our family
My lovable, loyal Marley. March 29 1996~ March 16, 2007
Ziggy was always the little mischief maker.
Always hungry and would eat anything and everything
My sweet little Ziggy. January 26, 1999~ May 23, 2009
I think it might be time to start thinking about another dog. It broke my heart when my boys died but as any dog lover can tell you, the amount of joy they bring you is beyond measure.

woof, woof

8 comments:

  1. Jill,

    When I had to put my sixteen year old dog to sleep in May of 2006, I lost myself for quite a while. I was never so sad in my life. Lost weight. Couldn't eat. I felt guilty to even smile. I was one of the hardest times in my life.

    He was my "baby," too. I bought him right after I met my mister (1990) and right before we got engaged. He was my most loyal friend and was with me for so long. I took him everywhere.

    I taught him to dive off the diving board and use the ladder to get out of the pool. I named his toys and when I'd shout out one of their names, he knew exactly which one to bring me. When my son was born, I used to put him in the Burley when we went on walks or bike rides. He'd hang his paws and head over the side. If I bought my son and ice cream cone, I bought him one, too. There are so many other wonderful stories of that little guy.

    I swore I would never get another dog again. How could I love another as much as I loved him (I felt like I'd be betraying him, too.)?

    Just six short weeks after he passed, I bought another one. A clone. Our house felt so empty without a dog.

    At first, I didn't warm to our newest addition (I LOVE dogs. I'm sure that sounds so mean. I felt guilty.). He wasn't like my other dog. But shortly thereafter, I feel completely in love. Bringing another dog into our home was the best decision. He is absolutely the best dog on the planet. Smart, funny, fun, and so incredibly loving. How could I not give this puppy a home. All he wanted was to be loved.

    When you are ready, I promise, it will be a wonderful decision. I think dogs teach humans so much about loyalty and unconditional love. In fact, he's sitting right at my feet as I write this post.

    Keep us posted on what you decide.

    By the way, your two "babies" are adorable. I have a tears in my eyes for your loss.

    Take care, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm tearing up over this post and Cool Gal's comment!! I'm dreading the day that Leroy is no longer with us.

    You should definitely get another dog. Kids and dogs belong together. Those pictures are so precious of your labs!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aw, I'm sorry about your doggy loss, I think loosing a pup is as bad as loosing a family memeber.. I am very close to my dog, he's there when I wake up and he's there by my feet when I go to bed, he's my running buddy, he's always up for watching a movie, he is definitely my best friend!
    You really should get another pup, it would be such a great present for Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  4. We currently have four dogs: two Yorkies, a golden retriever and a black lab. We lost two golden retrievers about 9 months apart a few years ago. I'm still very sad about their untimely departure.

    We thought we would be happy with just our Yorkies (who do bring us such joy) but there's something about big silly dogs that we can't live without.

    I hope you get another dog or two - I can't think of a better gift for a dog-loving family for the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Okay, bawling like a baby over the Ziggy comment. This exact same thing happened to a good friend of mine. She had two dogs. One of them swallowed a golf ball (So, Boris! That was his name.) Her husband took him in to get it surgically removed and the vet came out to the waiting room to tell him they discovered Boris was covered in cancer when they opened him up. The vet put him to sleep immediately. Boris was my girlfriends "baby" (she has no children) and she didn't even get to say good-bye. It was so sad. The worst part, their other dog, Max, searched and searched night and day for Boris. I don't know if that dog ever got over never seeing his friend again. It broke my heart tremendously.

    I will have to get the book you suggested. A few years back I finally read "Marley & Me," given to me by said friend. I would sit in the parking lot of the hockey rink and read it while my son was training. I'll never forget when I got to the end and finished the book. My son came out to the car and I was bawling in the parking lot like a baby. He asked me what was the matter and I told him I just finished "Marley & Me." It took me 10 minutes before I could drive home.

    I'm so sensitive when it comes to dogs.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is so precious!!! We've always had labs and would never have anything else!! My dad says our lab now (who's 7) is their last dog but I know my mom will get another one. We got this one from Sho-Me labs not sure if I would recommend them because ours needed surgery on her leg. They guaranteed their hips for a couple years just not the leg. But she is adorable!!! Keep us posted if you end up getting another puppy!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I know it's a beyond ridiculous thing to say, but I wish dogs never had to die, or could at least live as long as we do.
    Fantasyland moment over...
    That photo of Ziggy in the bucket is precious!!
    What beautiful dogs they were, and I bet they were tons of fun! xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Aw Jill! I am totally there with you. Chipper is my heart. He represents so much of mine and NWH life too. College..engagement...first years of marriage...someone is going to have to hall me off to the crazy house when his time comes.

    Telia, NewlyWedWifeLife

    ReplyDelete