Pet memorial Day

Today is September 10 and according to the crazy calendar, it is Pet Memorial Day.  Now like anything in life, one can look at this in two ways.  You can look at it as a sad day and about what you have lost…or you can look at is as a day to remember and think about all that you had.  Generally, humans outlive the dogs they are owned by – so when they go to the Rainbow Bridge, it is a sad time.  But you know that you always hold a special place for each and every one of them in your heart.  I’d like to take a take a moment to think about all those canines that have owned my human in her adult life…

First we had Barney.  The pound puppy who was known for his tenacious personality.  He was nicknamed “The Biter” by the pound – for good reason. He pretty much despised big trucks, many other dogs and anyone who came into his territory without an invite.  He taught my human patience – and the fact that you can never leave garbage unattended.  He also introduced her to the world of obedience classes – in which he was a dropout.  But despite many of his less-than-desirable behaviours, he was smart, entertaining and actually quite lovable. As long as you weren’t trying to take something from him.  He lived to the age of 17.5.

Next there was Schubert – and my human’s introduction to the world of dog shows.  Schubert was her first Bernese Mountain Dog.  He was lovable with my human but wary of strangers.  My human learned quickly that although he was handsome, he was not a dog for the conformation ring.  And while he later DID excel in the obedience ring, during his first trial, he jumped the fence and went for a little run around.  Perhaps he wasn’t QUITE ready at that point for competition?  He went to the Rainbow Bridge at 3.5 with cancer…

Schubert and Barney

Next came Guinness.  Another Bernese.  Picking up Guinness involved 5 days of driving. He was a huge Bernese – very tall.  But lanky.  Again, he was no candidate for the beauty pageant ring – but obedience was his forte.  He was the first dog that my human took to “Drill team” – a group of dogs and their humans organized by the Halifax Kennel Club – who marched in formation to music and did performances for local nursing homes and other groups.  Guinness LOVED those visits. He was another cuddle bug. He lived to the age of 9.5. 

Next came Beamish, the yellow Labrador.  Beamish was THE sweetest dog on earth.  He had a super temperament. And he only had one vice – the wonderful habit of eating poop. He was like a heat seeking missile – he could find where any dog had left a ‘deposit.’  It drove my human CRAZY.  My human showed Beam in a bit of conformation- but never finished his championship.  They DID get a Working Certificate – which involved retrieving some ducks. Beam was an all-around happy dog and he lived to the age of 11.5.

Then along came Harper.  Also known as Barker.  He was another Bernese – and my human was excited as he was quite handsome – and it looked like she might FINALLY have a dog she could show in beauty pageants.  But alas – Harper had an eye condition known as entropion – which required surgery.  So there went HIS beauty pageant career.  But Harper excelled at LOTS of other things.  For their first obedience trial ever, they drove to the American Bernese Mountain Specialty in Rhode Island.  They got their very first obedience “leg” with a High in Class finish and were only a point or two off High in Trial. In obedience, a High in Trial is kind of like the equivalent of the conformation Best in Show.  They went on to obtain their Canadian Novice Obedience title – and there had two High in Trials!  They obtained their Rally Excellent tile with many First place finishes, got an Agility title AND got a Draft Dog title.- which for non-dog show people, has nothing to do with drinking beer.  It's a test that involves pulling a cart.  I won’t count how many tries they had for THAT title….you see- during a draft dog test in Canada, the dog is not allowed to sit during the exercises at ANY time.  I cannot tell how how many times they completed ALL the exercises – only to have Harper sit near the end – usually because my human was SO nervous and told him to.  But they finally passed – and as a result, Harper received an award from the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Canada – a Working Dog Award.  Sadly, Harper went to the Bridge at 7 from cancer…

Guinness, Beamish and Harper

Harper

 

Then there was Paxton.  What can one say about Bucket Head?  For my readers who have been with me, since the beginning, you know the stories of the big lovable oaf.  He joined the line of Drill Team Dogs – and THAT was his forte.  Drooling on the laps of seniors.  He never hit the obedience ring or Rally ring.  He did a BIT of conformation – but he was just Paxton.  He could pull a cart, but never entered a trial.  He put up with me and Frodo. We are shocked when he left us at 7…

So while humans are incredibly sad when dogs leave- if you had a scale that weighed the happy times against those sad times – the happy side would far outweigh that sad side.  And that’s why you do it again.  And again….And you remember those happy times - and are thankful for each and every minute...

Have a good one.  Peace and paws up!