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flighty_dreamsTrooper, 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.
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.
