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She picked us. We sat on the floor, amidst 8-9-10 puppies and she picked us. Just walked right over and plopped herself into my 6 year old son's lap. Flirted with my 4 year old daughter too. Licked everybody.
She was a smart dog from the start. So many dogs in suburbia pass through life on leashes and running within fenced yards. Not Daisy. Only took her for walks in town with a leash so as not to alarm strangers, but a leash was an alien thing to her.
Later in life we just forgot about the leash. Let people deal, which they didn't have to, because all she needed was a word, no matter what the distraction - from other dogs, to cats, to whatever. Besides, she liked to travel, to walk, right between mom and I.
She never needed a fence either. She just never got lost, wandered too far or stayed out too late, or caused trouble. She'd only wander off a bit to say hello to a neighbor in their yard, or to see what the neighbors left out for their chickens or to pester the cows. Ya, our version of suburbia was pretty small, at least for awhile it was. We lived at the end of Main Street, where the farmland crept up to the edge of our property, so there were cows and there were steer and chickens and Daisy got along with them all, after a fashion. She did, sometimes, annoy the cows but they knew what to do about her and she knew to keep a certain distance.
In her youth Daisy was fast. Chocolate Labs aren't quite known as streakers but could she ever chase the squirrels. It was something to watch her leap out the back door, like a 50 meter freestyler - all stretch and explosion, then the sprint.
She liked to retrieve. It was her nature. She was happiest when she was bringing me something - a ball, a slipper, my daughter's Barbie dolls. Give it a toss and she perked right up. Game on. My son used to bounced tennis balls off of the garage door, forever, and she would stay right there with him. Catching the ball, giving it up, lining up to do it again.
My children and Daisy grew up together, only Daisy grew up older faster.
In the end it came down to accumulated system failures. The eyesight went early. Then 1 leg. Then something tightening around her trachea. Then both hind legs, her hips, her haunches. Then her G.I. track. Lastly her spirit and then I knew it came down to me. So, today was Daisy's last day.
Tonight, as I turned out the lights, I reached to put the lid on the wooden trash barrel in the kitchen, then I realized I didn't need to do that. There would be no one checking to see if anything interesting found its way into what we politely called "Daisy's late night snack tray".
Most every night, as I turned out the lights, I'd give her one last rub on the head and wish her "good night puppygirl". Tonight, as I get ready for bed, I don't hear the gentle tic-ticking of her toenails on the tile floor in the kitchen, where we kept her bed, or on the hardwood floors as she snuck around the house at night, finding her way to the sofa - her preferred place to sleep - after the lights went out.
I'm restless yet exhausted, and I just wanted to say before the day ended, I wanted to tell the world - or at least to tell some of the world - that there was a dog, a Chocolate Lab, her name was Daisy. She was a sweetheart of a dog, an 85 pound lap dog, and she was as good as they come.
Good night puppygirl.
[edited by: Webwork at 4:54 am (utc) on April 13, 2006]
And thank you, Jeff.
Just can't say much more at the moment.
I know just how you feel; I was a mess when one of my cats died years ago.
Rgds
Damon
A four footed companion is indeed a part of the faminly.
So sorry for your loss.
Ann
Amy
Of all the lives a dog can be born into, Daisy had one of the very best with you. My thoughts are with you -
Bye Daisy girl. Go keep her company Pip! You were always so good at comforting me when I was sad or lonely. My guess is that Daisy could use a friend right now.
Forget the Kleenex, I'm using a Brawny towel! :(
Reminds me of my Cindy, Lady, Gracie and Vern - all my wonderful companions that have gone on. I imagine them romping through a field together chasing butterflies and squirrels with a treat bucket filled with their favorites. Surely Daisy has joined them.
'I knew a man Bojangles,,,,,,,,,,,,'
<sniff>
Feel for ya!
My wife and I lost our beagle a few years ago. We still miss the little guy.
Onya
Woz (and Miss Cat)
Sympathy for your loss, Webwork. All the best.
I think there are breeds of fish or salamanders like that, but they aren't furry or friendly.
Don't get me started on potato bugs again. [burp!] -Larry
When I was 21, they made an appointment to have the vet end her suffering as she had many ailments at age 19.
I and some of my siblings came over to say good-bye to Missus a couple of days before the appointment.
But on the appointed day, while getting ready to take Missus to the vet, Dad dropped dead of an unexpected heart attack.
What a rough week.
Baron was the runt who grew to a lean 90 pounds; the product of greedy breeders who cared more about money than life. We discovered a genetic defect when he was 6 months old and went thru a couple grand in vet bills before he was 9 months old. He hated Vets from then on.
When my wife would walk him, he would put himself between her and any strangers that seemed threatening, yet he was the gentlest dog I have ever known.
He and I went through a lot together, so when it was time, I felt I owed him to be there at the end, but as he took his last few labored breaths, I couldnt do it and left the room. I cried all the way home.
I wish I knew more people who have half the heart and courage of that dog.
10 years ago we rescued a starving stray lab mix who became Baron's best friend. She sucked down food like a vacuum cleaner, then would inhale his before he was half done eating, so we named her Kirby. Hopefully we'll have a few more years together, but that is a day I dread.
So long, Daisy. Baron & Kirby would have loved to play with you.
Here's a little poem to make you feel better.
Amythepoet
Dear Webwork,
Dog heaven is a special place
My tail is wagging fast
With all the things we dogs enjoy
I'm having such a blast.
Each night when I look in my dish
I get filet mignon for dinner
Never that dry stuff or stale meat
No cereal or filler.
So many other dogs are here
I never get dog lonely
It never takes me long at all
To find that night's "one and only."
We have so many balls to chase
I'm getting so much fitter
With water flowing everywhere
Always sweet and never bitter.
Sometimes it looks like Star Wars
When I stare into the sky
It isn't UFO's I see
But countless frisbees passing by.
The firemen here all love the place
A perfect spot they can retire
With one hundred hydrants for each dog
They'll never have a fire!
Cars with windows lowered
Pass by me on the street
With dog ears flapping from each one
It makes me feel complete.
Yet in this perfect playground
Doing all I love to do
I find I'm often thinking back
Of all the times I spent with YOU.
There could be no kinder owner
We always had so much fun
Don't forget that I had seven years
Every time that you had one.
You always gave me so much love
Such kindness and attention
You deserve an owner's blue ribbon
Not just an honorable mention.
So please keep my memory active
In the morning when you eat
As you're chewing on your bagel
I'll be sitting at your feet.
Arf!
Love,
Daisy
