GERMAN SHEPHERD PING LIST
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Posted on 07/12/2007 9:59:24 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack
This morning, for the first time in almost nine years, I was not awakened by my canine alarm clock. I rolled out of bed to see my best friend Timber, stretched out at the foot of my bed where he laid down last night for what would be his final sleep.
Last night when I came home from work, all seemed fine, and even though he's been showing signs of age, there was nothing unusual about his demeanor or behavior. After my shower last night, I played with my dogs for a little while before bed, and will be forever grateful that I spent some time scratching his head and belly, tossing his ball and enjoying his company on his final day. Loyal and selfless to the end, he spared me the pain of deciding where and when he should be put to sleep, and he died silently in his sleep.
Timber came from excellent blood lines, and his noble and dignified appearance was only a pale shadow of his exceptional character. He stood by me through some of the worst times of my life, literally saving me twice that I know of. He was exceptionally gentle with children, and possessed of the kind of quiet self-confidence that we admire in the strongest, bravest humans. While I resist every effort to anthropomorphize my dogs and read human thoughts and emotions onto them, I can't help but liken Timber to the old knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: dignified, tired, but standing his post, loyal to the very end. I can honestly say that when I picked him from the litter in the autumn of 1998, I chose wisely.
It is said that a dog assumes the personality of his master. I should be honored if the reverse was true.
RIP buddy.
Joe, I'm so unbelievably sorry to hear about Timber's passing. Having lost 2 of my own in this past year, I can completely understand how you're feeling. I KNOW it doesn't seem like it right now, but the pain WILL ease!
When you feel up to it, PLEASE visit this website: The Rainbow Bridge
R.I.P. Timber ~
Ecclesiastes 3:18-21 ~ I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
Until we meet again ~ this is not goodbye, this is just "see you later"......
Thanks C. As you know, he and I had a storied past, and I’m glad you got to hear about some of it while he was still around.
Sorry for your loss.
FYI....our buddy passed away last night. He always enjoyed those days at the range and the office.
I’ve admired your Timber since I first saw his picture on your home page. He reminded me of my first dog; my parents got her when I was two and she was our protector and friend for many years. My condolences on your loss, it’s hard to lose your best 4-legged friend.
LSAggie (posting on hubby’s account)
Lost our Beagle and Dachshund over the past years, waited six months before getting a Lab and then a Golden a few months latter. I had no problem with the breed but didn't want to compare, you can't expect the new one to be a replacement.
Again, sorry for your loss.
Fortunately, I still have my “little” one, Ranger, a Hurricane Katrina rescue dog. I’m not sure which one of us is more beside ourself today, but we still have each other. Our “Werewolves of London” rendition is going to be a little flat this Halloween. Timber carried the performance.
I’m very sorry for your loss, but I am very happy that you and Timber became buddies. You will be reunited some day at the “Rainbow Bridge!”
The Rainbow Bridge Poem
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Bless Your Beautiful Boy; certainly you blessed him with your love. God is good to let us share our lives His marvelous creatures on this earth; it is my humble prayer that He will allow us to share our lives with them in the hereafter.
I have no doubt that they are there, waiting for us. I can only hope I can be as good a soul as my Dog is...
Good Dog, Timber - go Home!
GERMAN SHEPHERD PING LIST
(Please Freep-mail me if you’d like to be on or off the list.)
What a beautiful guy; so sorry for your loss!
My sympathies to you Joe —it is never easy to loose a beloved pet.
Beautiful picture and tribute to Timber, Joe.
So very sad to have to lose our beloved pets, but the circumstances of Timber’s departure are as close to ideal as one could hope, I guess, and that must bring some degree of comfort. God bless.
I understand completely about that type of dog and will be giving Mocha Girl Dog (MGD) a couple of extra treats tonight to celebrate Timber’s great life. You did a great job providing a happy home for a well deserving pal.
My condolences. What a beautiful animal.
I am so sorry. Timber was a beautiful dog, and was a blessing to you. It just isn’t fair that dogs don’t live as long as we do.
To the contrary, I think they earn their place in Paradise much more rapidly than any of us can hope to.
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