Trooper

[flighty_dreams]

Trooper, my 17 year old family dog, passed away today. We got him when he was 8 weeks old, able to fit on the palm of your hand, and I was 9 years old. I've known that dog my whole life practically; it's hard to remember a time he wasn't around.

He was a wonderful dog, so spunky and full of personality. Everyone who ever met him loved him, and it wasn't just about how cute he was, though he was an adorable Sheltie. He is oh god, was the most charismatic dog I've ever met. Even people that didn't really like dogs warmed up to him, because there was just something so infinitely lovable about him. He wanted to be friends with the world.

I grew up with him, playing in the back yard, running around together, playing ball. And he loved riding in the car; he'd ride with us when my mom took me to school each morning, and he'd hop around from seat to seat, so curious to see everything. So many great memories. Even though I haven't been living with my parents since 2000--so I didn't get to see him as much--I still visited a lot and always spent some time with him.

People who've never had pets just don't understand:  pets become part of your family, and they're a friend too. He was always there for me when I was upset, letting me hold him to help ease whatever was bothering me, and he was always so much fun. My parents are so broken today; my mom was out in the yard earlier and thought she heard him walking behind her. How awful to forget reality for a moment, and then be so crushed. The house that was so full of his presence for 17 years now echoes with the emptiness of his absence.

And he was himself to the very end, still very stubborn and wanting his own way about certain things. There was nothing wrong with him mentally, it was just his body that wore itself out. My dad found him unable to walk last night, and so my parents took him in to the vet today. He was suffering paralysis in his front legs, and obviously couldn't remain in that state. At least he wasn't suffering any pain, even at the end.

He lived a long, full life and enriched the lives of everyone who met him. I can't complain, not even about losing him too soon. We were blessed with 17 years of him. Nothing short of forever would've been long enough though.

He'll be sorely missed.

Trooper, 1991 - 2008



My brother also made a blog post about this here. It has more pictures of him. Yeah, we're obsessed.

Comments

[alina-kotik.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it's OK to offer condolences. Let me say that I understand your feelings: we had Archie, an incredible offspring of an Albino poodle and a mean-spirited, rude and ugly street dog (yet beloved by the family where both parents had lived), for 15 years. He was ill for the last year of his life, and my mum gave him the final shot by her own hand. It happened in 1994. I still miss him, compare all other dogs I see to him, and remember him with a smile. He was a friend, a good one. So is your Trooper, whose memory will be a source of many a warm smile in later years.

[flighty-dreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and I think it's perfectly acceptable to offer condolences. Yes, it's an animal and not a person, but you live with them and love them, and losing them leaves an emptiness behind inside you. There's an Archie shaped hole in your heart, and a Trooper one in mine. Of course you can have other pets later and love them too, but no pet is exactly like another, and you love them in different ways.

That must've been so hard for your mom! To do it herself. As much as I wish I could've seen him one more time and said goodbye, I don't think I could've handled being there at the vet's watching him slowly slip away. I don't want that to be my last memory of him. Instead the last time I saw him, he was sleeping peacefully in the sunlight by the backdoor as I left the house back in June.

I'm visiting my parents again next week, and I almost wish it wasn't so soon. It's going to be strange to be at the house without Trooper in it. But it has to be even worse for my parents.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and condolences. I know we are not alone in losing fabulous animal friends, and it's good to talk about them and remember them.

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

What a sad time for you all. But so many wonderful memories you have. They really DO becaome part of the family don't they?
And the decision to let them go and ease their pain is such a difficult decision to make. I know when my darling German Shepherd Sheba developed cancer making the decision nearly killed me. I, like you, would have been happy with forever.

[flighty-dreams.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's such a tough decision to make, because you never want to let go. But unfortunately there just comes a certain point where you have to do what's best for them, above your own need to keep them around--as you well know firsthand. If only we could all have forever with them.

Ever since I got home yesterday, I've been showering my cat with attention. (I love both cats and dogs, but got a cat b/c it's just easier on my schedule.) She's probably wondering what's up, b/c I keep picking her up and cuddling her (more so than usual). I just want to appreciate the time I have with her. She's pretty young still (3-4), so that should be plenty of years, thankfully. I wouldn't want to lose another, especially so soon.

We just have to hope our pets are in a better place now, young and vibrant again and surrounded by lots of friendly company. Or at least I like to think so. ;)