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.
The presence of dogs makes us human..RIP Timber
Oh hun! I am so sorry.
I know how much you loved that fella.
Hugs darlin’.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Just last week, on the 4th of July, he was ready to do battle with the sky...He always helped me *celebrate* Independence Day every year, and even when I didn't feel like going to watch fireworks, he'd always coax me outside so I could watch him thunder right back at them.
He was born the very day I flew back from a three year tour of Korea, and I picked him up at 7 weeks. It was the autumn that McGwire broke Ruth's season HR record, and tonight will be the first night since then without him.
In 9 years, he gave me a lifetime of memories I would not trade for the world.
Sincere condolences for your loss ... “man’s best friend” are not mere words ... beautiful memories will soften the sadness in your heart.
Thank you, and you’re right about the memories.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss.
Thank you.
I am so very sorry to read of Timber’s passing.
Thank you.
Joe- I’m so sorry about the loss of Timber. I know what your’re going through and I also know that you’ll always have a spot in your heart that belongs only to him. You were both blessed by the love that you shared and both lives will forever be the richer for it.
Wait a month or two and get another furbaby - not a replacement for Timber (one dog can never replace another) but as a tribute to the love you shared.
Oh...I’ve got another one (see pix on profile). Ranger’s a Katrina rescue and he’s been part of the pack since September ‘05. He’s about three, so hopefully he’s got a little mileage left on his butt. We’ll deal with Timber’s loss together, but it’ll probably be a little while before he’s ready to assume the beta role over a junior member of the pack. Timber was the suave, debonair Jeremy Irons of the dog world. Ranger is more like the Borat.
Your comments on this thread are a beautiful tribute to Timber. He was lucky! Sorry for his loss, and thank you for telling us about him.
I’m very sorry about your loss... I’ve always admired the picture of Timber and that swamp.
He was beatutiful.
Thank you for your remarks. A whole lot of memories have been flooding back today. He really did enrich my life, and those of many of the people and animals around us. I've been around dogs my whole life...pets, hunting dogs and with working dogs in the Army. There truly was something about Timber that set him apart from all the rest.
So sorry for your loss, he was so beautiful.
Still miss mine so much.
Something about those dogs eyes, they just look at you and all you see is love and devotion.
Darn dogs.
That’s a fine looking dog who died much too soon.
Your welcome! =^..^=
I understand, after the Dachshund passed on the Beagle seemed lost, never the quite same. Still a great dog but I think she was lonely.
Fast forward three years and we put her down, the Vet said she would make it a couple of months to as long as six after the cancer diagnosis, she made it a year and a half with bad arthritis along with it. Eventually we couldn't let her suffer any longer and thought it selfish to continue to do so.
I'm glad you didn't have to face that, it's such a difficult thing to go through. I stayed with Rommel through the process by his side but couldn't do it a second time with Abby. My son who was eight at the time I brought with me as I felt it was necessary for him to understand life for our loved one's doesn't go on forever.
He didn't want to go but his Grand Parents are in their 70's now and he needs to an experience no matter how sad to prepare himself.
He said his goodbye's, he gave her a kiss and hug. Tore my heart out but hey, it's part of life and sometimes life sucks.
We now have a talker (the Golden) like Rommel.
Did Timber talk too or just howl when it was time to sing?
BTW Both the Lab and Golden are rescue dogs, the Lab was from Hurricane Rita.
I know it's early to think about adopting another pooch but when you feel you are ready and need some assistance don't hesitate to freepmail me.
Yankee.
That’s great that you have Ranger to keep you company. When my beloved Soda went to the bridge I was terribly lonely and at 1st I hadn’t even wanted to consider getting another dog. Then, I found out about Rex through Chesapeake Rescue and he needed me as much as I needed him. We’ve been together for about 1 1/2 years now and he was terrific comfort and a fantastic furbaby for me.
Ask “basil” how much he talks when I’m on the phone....just like a 2 year old child.....LOL
Thank you for rescuing Ranger when he needed a home and stability. I just know that he’s forever grateful and will reward you richly!
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