Dogs. Man's best friend. I absolutely love them. Whenever I see a dog, I can't help but get the urge to smother it in love. However, my mom doesn't view them the same way and won't let us get another one. I say another one because I grew up with two dogs; One was a Chocolate Lab and the other a German Short-Haired Pointer, both males. The last one died about two years ago. If I could I would get one or two dogs. Maybe when I get my own place. Here are pictures of what those types of dogs look like (wish I had actual pictures of my dogs):
Chocolate Lab:
German Short-Haired Pointer:
As you'll notice from the picture, the tail on the Pointer is usually cut off, or "docked", at birth. I don't really know why probably a breed standard. Anyways, our Pointer was called Gus and our Lab's name was Dusty. I absolutely loved both dogs; they were the best dogs I have ever known or owned. A little bit more about Dusty...
My dad bought Dusty when I was probably around six, seven or eight, I don't exactly remember, but I know I was young. I remember the first thing he did when he got out of the truck was hide underneath it. He was a couple of months old already so he was a decent size dog. But damn, was he playful. As soon as we broke out the tennis ball he was running all over the yard smiling and retrieving. I knew I would love that dog from that moment forward.
My father loved to go hunting so he brought Dusty along on his hunting trips. He loved the water and wouldn't hesitate to jump in to go retrieve a fallen duck. He even caught a pheasant once without a single shot being fired. Dusty was really protective, he was a great guard dog. Anytime a stranger or someone who wasn't in the family wandered around our house, he let them know he was there. He protected me from anything, including Gus if he got a little too rowdy when we were playing. That's why it was so hard to see him go.
I don't remember exactly when it happened, or how old I was, but one night changed our beloved dog Dusty forever. I just remember sitting in the living room watching TV. Dusty was sleeping on the hard kitchen floor. We heard his claws scrape against the floor and a yelp, and that was it. We checked him out and he seemed fine, just a little startled. I thought he was having another dog nightmare or something. However, it only got worse.
As the months went by, it got worse. At first, it was just twitches while he was asleep. Then, it progressed to jerks. Not long after that, he would foam at the mouth, unable to control his salivation. His muscles would tense up, causing him to lose control of his bladder. It scared us every time it happened as we tried to comfort him in his attacks. We took him to the veterinarian and he told us Dusty had epilepsy, a condition that causes chronic seizures and is incurable.
Over time it got progressively worse. His attacks would become more frequent and violent. I don't know how long he went on like that, but it must have been at least two years. The worst part was knowing it would be his death. We all know our dogs will eventually die, but a disease like that makes it all-too imminent and real. It was so heartbreaking seeing him suffer like that and not being able to help him. One night I just didn't feel right. It was the eeriest feeling in the world. I remember saying and thinking to myself, "Dusty is going to die tonight." I felt so bad and had no idea why I was getting this feeling so I made Dusty sleep with me that night. I woke up to him having an epilepsy attack on my bed. I called for my parents and my dad took Dusty by the collar. He took him out back and shot him between the eyes with a .22 pistol, ending his misery. I was heartbroken but knew it was best for him.
That was probably five or six years ago, I'm not really sure anymore. He was my favorite dog, although I loved them both equally. It still bothers me to this day. I had to stop typing this a couple of times because I got teary-eyed. My other dog, Gus, lived a much happier life.
We got Gus when I was not even a year old. It was such a special moment I still remember it to this day. I remember climbing over the tiny little fence that kept the puppies together. I remember seeing Gus who was just as big as me since we were both puppies. We grew up together, always the same age. He was such a lively dog, always running around out back. Like Dusty, my dad took him on hunting trips, too. I swear his favorite thing was pointing out birds and ducks. He was, after all, a pointer and would tense up, back as straight as a table, tail extended horizontally, one paw half raised, staring straight at a game bird whenever he saw one. He cut open his tongue once on a hunting trip, bleeding everywhere. But he didn't care, he was smiling and panting like usual acting like it was nothing. He was happy as could be hunting.
His death wasn't nearly as tragic. He did what most dogs do. He got old. When we were both around the age of sixteen, he started to get slow to rise and move. He no longer ran around the yard causing mischief like he used to. He would mosey about, tired and old. He had trouble getting up, the vet confirming he had arthritis in his hips. He eventually lost his appetite and would never eat. We all knew what was coming, and he did, too. He just knew it earlier, deciding it was his time. My father took him to the vet and had him put to sleep and cremated, spreading his ashes.
Any time I watch a movie where a dog dies I can't help but be reminded of my dogs. My friends wanted to watch, "Marley and Me," but I told them no way. It would be too painful and dredge up bad memories. I love dogs too much to watch movies like that.
Like I said, I want to get a dog in the future. I'm really debating what type of dog to get. I've thought about getting another Chocolate Lab since they are great dogs. My wish list is:
Chocolate Lab
Yellow Lab
Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Klee Kai
Shiba Inu
Akita Inu
I would be happy with any dog, really. As long as it's not some tiny dog like a Chihuahua or a Shih Tzu. That will be a long ways off, though. I don't foresee me getting a dog in the near future since I won't have a place of my own. College is too hectic and I won't be living in the same place year-to-year most likely. I'm also planning on studying abroad in Japan in a couple years, so a dog wouldn't be wise. Oh well, maybe I'll just sneak a dog home one day and surprise my mom
Chocolate Lab:
German Short-Haired Pointer:
As you'll notice from the picture, the tail on the Pointer is usually cut off, or "docked", at birth. I don't really know why probably a breed standard. Anyways, our Pointer was called Gus and our Lab's name was Dusty. I absolutely loved both dogs; they were the best dogs I have ever known or owned. A little bit more about Dusty...
My dad bought Dusty when I was probably around six, seven or eight, I don't exactly remember, but I know I was young. I remember the first thing he did when he got out of the truck was hide underneath it. He was a couple of months old already so he was a decent size dog. But damn, was he playful. As soon as we broke out the tennis ball he was running all over the yard smiling and retrieving. I knew I would love that dog from that moment forward.
My father loved to go hunting so he brought Dusty along on his hunting trips. He loved the water and wouldn't hesitate to jump in to go retrieve a fallen duck. He even caught a pheasant once without a single shot being fired. Dusty was really protective, he was a great guard dog. Anytime a stranger or someone who wasn't in the family wandered around our house, he let them know he was there. He protected me from anything, including Gus if he got a little too rowdy when we were playing. That's why it was so hard to see him go.
I don't remember exactly when it happened, or how old I was, but one night changed our beloved dog Dusty forever. I just remember sitting in the living room watching TV. Dusty was sleeping on the hard kitchen floor. We heard his claws scrape against the floor and a yelp, and that was it. We checked him out and he seemed fine, just a little startled. I thought he was having another dog nightmare or something. However, it only got worse.
As the months went by, it got worse. At first, it was just twitches while he was asleep. Then, it progressed to jerks. Not long after that, he would foam at the mouth, unable to control his salivation. His muscles would tense up, causing him to lose control of his bladder. It scared us every time it happened as we tried to comfort him in his attacks. We took him to the veterinarian and he told us Dusty had epilepsy, a condition that causes chronic seizures and is incurable.
Over time it got progressively worse. His attacks would become more frequent and violent. I don't know how long he went on like that, but it must have been at least two years. The worst part was knowing it would be his death. We all know our dogs will eventually die, but a disease like that makes it all-too imminent and real. It was so heartbreaking seeing him suffer like that and not being able to help him. One night I just didn't feel right. It was the eeriest feeling in the world. I remember saying and thinking to myself, "Dusty is going to die tonight." I felt so bad and had no idea why I was getting this feeling so I made Dusty sleep with me that night. I woke up to him having an epilepsy attack on my bed. I called for my parents and my dad took Dusty by the collar. He took him out back and shot him between the eyes with a .22 pistol, ending his misery. I was heartbroken but knew it was best for him.
That was probably five or six years ago, I'm not really sure anymore. He was my favorite dog, although I loved them both equally. It still bothers me to this day. I had to stop typing this a couple of times because I got teary-eyed. My other dog, Gus, lived a much happier life.
We got Gus when I was not even a year old. It was such a special moment I still remember it to this day. I remember climbing over the tiny little fence that kept the puppies together. I remember seeing Gus who was just as big as me since we were both puppies. We grew up together, always the same age. He was such a lively dog, always running around out back. Like Dusty, my dad took him on hunting trips, too. I swear his favorite thing was pointing out birds and ducks. He was, after all, a pointer and would tense up, back as straight as a table, tail extended horizontally, one paw half raised, staring straight at a game bird whenever he saw one. He cut open his tongue once on a hunting trip, bleeding everywhere. But he didn't care, he was smiling and panting like usual acting like it was nothing. He was happy as could be hunting.
His death wasn't nearly as tragic. He did what most dogs do. He got old. When we were both around the age of sixteen, he started to get slow to rise and move. He no longer ran around the yard causing mischief like he used to. He would mosey about, tired and old. He had trouble getting up, the vet confirming he had arthritis in his hips. He eventually lost his appetite and would never eat. We all knew what was coming, and he did, too. He just knew it earlier, deciding it was his time. My father took him to the vet and had him put to sleep and cremated, spreading his ashes.
Any time I watch a movie where a dog dies I can't help but be reminded of my dogs. My friends wanted to watch, "Marley and Me," but I told them no way. It would be too painful and dredge up bad memories. I love dogs too much to watch movies like that.
Like I said, I want to get a dog in the future. I'm really debating what type of dog to get. I've thought about getting another Chocolate Lab since they are great dogs. My wish list is:
Chocolate Lab
Yellow Lab
Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Klee Kai
Shiba Inu
Akita Inu
I would be happy with any dog, really. As long as it's not some tiny dog like a Chihuahua or a Shih Tzu. That will be a long ways off, though. I don't foresee me getting a dog in the near future since I won't have a place of my own. College is too hectic and I won't be living in the same place year-to-year most likely. I'm also planning on studying abroad in Japan in a couple years, so a dog wouldn't be wise. Oh well, maybe I'll just sneak a dog home one day and surprise my mom
