Our Dogs Give More Than They Take
The life of our pet dogs has sometimes reminded me of the line from the play "I have depended on the kindness of strangers". For that is what our dogs do. When they come to us they don't know us, but they almost universally accept that we will take care of them. Pet dogs, especially in the city, don't hunt, they don't work, they don't offer brilliant opinions, or tell jokes (although they can perform funny antics). They really just perform one function for the most part, but is an indispensable function. They allow us to take care of them and they give us unconditional companionship and friendship. It is a well known theme, the dog waiting for the owner to come home, and wagging his tail and jumping for joy when the minute arrives. Dogs are often happy when you feed them, and happy when you open the back door and let them out in the yard, or show them the leash which means they are going for a walk to the park. They are happy to chase a tennis ball across the room, or to run around in circles with a bunch of little kids. Pet dogs are never in a bad mood, they just fulfill their role, which is to be taken care of and to make their human families happy to do it.
My dog Dugan passed on today. He was 13 years, 10 months old, and he was a great dog. And the nice part is that every one of us that owns or has owned a pet dog could likely say the same thing.
DUGAN - Corgi mix
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Hugs John ..
Ditto, John
Condolences & a hug.
thank you
thank you
I am so sorry for the loss of your pup, Dugan. Our pets can bring us great joy, but the hardest part is saying goodbye. I have had to say goodbye to several pets. It never gets easier, since each one is special.
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Sorry to hear the bad news. Not many dogs make it past 13.
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In almost 14 years Dugan never once acted up or behaved poorly. Never snapped at a kid or anyone else. Kids loved him because of his size. He wasn't really small, but he wasn't big either. he was a big small dog, I guess you could say, which attracted kids to him because he was big enough to play with but small enough that no one had to be afraid of him, not even a toddler. He had a perfect disposition.
''Dogs give more than they take''....Without a doubt.
Sorry to hear of Dugan passing. Over the years I've had to say goodbye to many of my dog buddies. Each one I remember well and with a great deal of fondness.
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thank you for your kind thoughts everyone
So sorry for your loss.
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Just about all of us have experienced the loss of a pet...perhaps multiple times as we have grown. Give yourself some time to deal with the loss, and if your situation allows, go to a shelter and adopt another furry friend, taking time to find a good fit for your and your family.
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Dogs give us more than we could ever repay them. They give their all and ask for little in return by comparison.
We rarely agree on anything John but do please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. Dugan will be with you always and will be loyally waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
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My condolences on the loss of your companion.
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thank you to everyone for your kind words, it means a lot to me
Charger and dogs Athena and Bo IV send condolences
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Oh, John, I'm so sorry. Why didn't you tell me? You let me yammer on about vast amounts of stupid crap and you never said a word.
Know that someone in Irving, TX is thinking about you as you mourn the loss of precious Dugan.
And you are right: Dogs give more than they take. My dogs, Bella (16), Max (15), and Sophie (10), prove it every day.
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“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras
John - I am sorry to hear that Dugan has passed. My sincere condolences.
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Our Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier was with us for 17 years. I guess we were lucky. She never wanted to miss a boat ride.
By the way, you can be sure that I know how you feel, and I give you my condolences on your loss.
John, sorry for the loss of your precious Dugan. Shadow and I send our condolences.
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Hugs, John. I'm sorry for your loss. We don't deserve dogs. We're lucky they still love us, anyway.
Our pets teach us unconditional love when they're with us and how to handle grief when they leave us. Contact the rescue organization of that breed when you're ready, and continue your life journey with a new furry friend that will appreciate your generous decision.
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John, my heart goes out to you. For each I have lost has a special place rent free in me. I laugh or cry each time I open one of their "files".
I wish you the best and warmest recovery from those around you.
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John, I'm sorry to hear about Dugan moving on but, I know he found a friend who will show him what it's like on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. My dog Jack was a great friend to all small dogs and, he loved to play all kinds of dog games, including plowing through snow drifts with his nose, (he was a German Shepherd/Malamute mix) and, had a white clownish face, I'm sure Jack was waiting for him to arrive, he was always a great greeter when we went to the dog parks. I know that isn't much comfort but, maybe this will be, we keep a part of our pets inside of us, our memory's of them, sitting here writing this I see Jack in my mind playing at all the truckstops we visited and, at the dog parks we visited, I even see the time he thought he would chase after some goats and, the result when he met the billy in the pen, I still see him running to me with a look of pure joy on his face and, his butt tucked under him as he ran from the goat.
Keep those kinds of memory's and, Dugan will be with you forever.
I used to get out my bicycle and hook the dog's leash around one of the handlebars, and we would go for a run. Well, I would ride and he would run. Two, maybe three miles. He really loved to run when he was younger.
When he saw me bring the bike into view, and he had the leash on , he would spin himself in circles out of excitement. No doubt dogs and other pets give us a lot of enjoyment.
Thanks for the kind words.
LOL, he sounds like he was a lot of fun.
I'm so sorry, John.
Thank you.
You're welcome. I wish I had more to say than I'm sorry
Sorry to learn of this John.
Thank you.
I'm so sorry for your loss John.
That is so nice. Thank you.
You're welcome John. I just lost one of my boys in July so I know how you feel. It sucks!
Sorry John. I feel the loss of a dog as a loss of another member of my family. Please accept my condolences.
thank you.
If the kindest souls were rewarded with the longest lives, dogs would outlive us all.
The things we could all learn from our dogs:
Neither of these are my quotes, but they tug at my heart. I'm so sorry, John. I'm so so so very sorry. Cyberhugs to you, long and tight.
That is a wonderful description of our pets. Thank you.
Here's a photo I had printed on a sweatshirt to send to one of my dearest friends, whom I love dearly. I hope it makes you smile.
yes.
Made me smile !
Sorry for your loss John. I have a spoiled Yorkie right now that is 14 years old. She is in good health but I know that's old for her age. I'll be crushed when she passes.
And Yeah I'm one of them hate people, love all dogs.
Thank you for the nice sentiment.
So sorry to hear this John. My heart goes out to you. Dugan will always have that special place in your heart.
Thank you Uppy, I agree with that lovely commentary.
Probably means nothing John, but a short story I'll always have.
Had a beautiful little 15 pound Scotty named Tavish, whom I loved completely - and Tav loved me too.
One day I was outside and a neighbor from down the street came walking by with his 100 pound German Shepard named Prince. Now, Prince was a very friendly "pup" (1 year old) and would love your hands to death if he got the chance to lick them. So Prince comes bounding up and starts licking the hell outa my hands and Dave and I hear this long, drawn out "Yelp" and see a black lightening bolt come tearing out of my back yard. Tav saw that I was being "attacked" by a monster and went straight for Prince's gonads. Dave and I couldn't stop laughing for 'bout 15 minutes 'cause Prince actually squealed and ran back to his house with Tav behind him.
Corralled Tav, gave him tons of love and affection and took him home - all the while praising him for his warrior spirit. Prince never came by our house again
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Sadly, a few months later, Tav got hold of some rat poison someone had left outside and developed cancer. At the ripe old age of 6, we had to put him down.
Even now, 41 years later, I'll get tears in my eyes but feel joy in my heart that Tav decided he was my lifelong protector, savior, friend, sleeping partner, ball thrower, stick finder and companion.
However, I'll never forgive him for chewing my George Harrison "All Things Must Pass" album to shreds.
You were and are blessed John 'cause we all know Dugan is telling all his new friends about his lifelong protector, savior, friend, sleeping partner, ball thrower, stick finder and companion - you John - You.
Thank you and that was a nice story.