I Miss My Dog

[FAX]

I had this awesome dog named Mack who was part something and part Chow. I met him in my office building one day. He was a hobo puppy that the girls who owned the advertising agency next door found somewhere and rescued by bringing him to their office. I was walking down the hall one day and he was staring at me through their glass door. He looked like a tiny, friendly, miniature bear. I introduced myself and he seemed to think I was okay. I later mentioned this encounter to the beautiful and witty Mrs. FAX and the next day she came sauntering into my office with the dog, a brand new leash, and a half-dozen or so milk bone biscuits.

Mack kept me around for about 10 years, I guess. Several years ago, he contracted thyroid cancer. He went through surgery okay and got better for a year or so, then he finally just succumbed to the disease ... couldn't eat, couldn't poop properly, in obvious pain ... after one particularly rough episode, I took him to the vet so he could get some relief. Bad day.

After that, I swore that Mack would be the last dog I would ever own. I suppose I got sort of attached to the little fella. Frankly, he was an awesome assistant. He helped me dig in the garden, rake leaves, and kept me company at the office. He was good with a frisbee and stick and ball and finding creative ways to escape the radio fence because he also liked the ladies. To be honest, I think if he had been trained properly, he would have made a fantastic circus dog ... the kind that walks on barrels and jumps through flaming circles and stuff. He was extraordinarily intelligent, nimble, and fleet of foot as many a dead squirrel can attest (if, of course, it were possible for dead squirrels to attest to much of anything ... besides, I'm not sure you can trust anything a squirrel says ... dead or otherwise).

He was independent, though. He had a mind of his own and his own way of doing things. I suppose that was a result of living on the streets as a young dog. He came up the hard way and developed survival skills out of necessity. It was pretty clear that he could live on squirrels and garbage if he needed to. He wouldn't have smelled all that great, but he would have been happy.

Anyhow, I caught myself sitting here in my home office just kind of staring at the space on the floor where he used to keep his rug and I suddenly realized how much I miss him. As I mentioned, I made a pretty firm declaration that I wasn't going to get another dog after Mack on account of the separation anxiety I experienced when leaving the vet's office on that last day. But now I think I'm changing my mind about that. Dogs are pretty cool ... if you can find the right one. Maybe I'll head down to the pound later this week.

FAX THE SENTIMENTAL

[bevischief]

Try your Craigslist. That is how I found my last dog and didn't cost me anything. Nothing wrong with the family had to down size where they lived.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by bevischief

Try your Craigslist. That is how I found my last dog and didn't cost me anything. Nothing wrong with the family had to down size where they lived.

Yeah, you have to be careful there. Sometimes a dog will solicit for someone to come over to brush its tail while its litter-mate watches, and these are tough rules to play by.

[OnTheWarpath15]

I'm with you, MR. FAX. My pup passed on Tuesday night of bone cancer. There's not a spot in the house or the yard that doesn't remind me of her.

Like you, I've swore I'll never get another dog after our Brittany Spaniel passes on. She's confused as all hell too - looking around the house wondering where her friend is.

Sorry for your loss. Hope you find what you're looking for with your next pup, should you go that route.

[LOCOChief]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

My pup passed on Tuesday night of bone cancer. There's not a spot in the house or the yard that doesn't remind me of her.

I'm sorry to hear this.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I'm with you, MR. FAX. My pup passed on Tuesday night of bone cancer. There's not a spot in the house or the yard that doesn't remind me of her.

Like you, I've swore I'll never get another dog after our Brittany Spaniel passes on. She's confused as all hell too - looking around the house wondering where her friend is.

Sorry for your loss. Hope you find what you're looking for with your next pup, should you go that route.

Sorry, man. I remember you saying it was coming close. It's never easy.

[Rain Man]

I think it's not disrespecting Mack's memory to make a good home for another pet. There are lots of unemployed animals who would really appreciate an opportunity to be your assistant, and who would strive to do a great job.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I think it's not disrespecting Mack's memory to make a good home for another pet. There are lots of unemployed animals who would really appreciate an opportunity to be your assistant, and who would strive to do a great job.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I think it's not disrespecting Mack's memory to make a good home for another pet. There are lots of unemployed animals who would really appreciate an opportunity to be your assistant, and who would strive to do a great job.

The main reason I decided I didn't want another dog was just based on the fact that I got awfully attached to Mack and I don't particularly enjoy the sensation of emotional "loss". It seems to me there is one really easy way to avoid that and it's to simply refuse to get a new dog.

Plus ... you're kind of right, Mr. Rain Man ... I know it sounds silly and probably a little crazy, too ... but there's a part of me that does sort of feel as though I'd be trying to replace something that's irreplaceable. And I admit that I'd probably feel a little funny at first if I got a new dog and he started playing with Mack's ball or sleeping on his rug or whatever. On the other hand, if a dog walked in here right now and started chewing on Mack's weasel toy, at least it's being used by somebody (the beautiful and witty Mrs. FAX hardly ever chews on that weasel toy), and that would be a good thing.

But then there's the part that is pretty convinced that I'll never ever find a dog that is as intelligent as Mack was. I mean, the fact is that there's no possible way I could get a "better" dog ... unless it was some kind of bizarre mutant dog that could actually speak English words and carry on a conversation or play board games or something like that. The odds are slim that I can find a dog that is even halfway good at Monopoly or Clue. And generally speaking, the ones that try almost always accuse Mrs. Peacock in the Kitchen with the Rope which gets boring.

So, I don't want a new dog because I don't want the potential pain associated with getting attached ... on the other hand, I'm sitting here feeling a little bad anyhow because Mack's not here and his rug is empty. It's a no-win deal right now. I think I'll go check out the pound.

FAX

[BIG_DADDY]

I hate losing dogs. Best of luck to you in finding a new friend. I am sure you will do fine.

[tooge]

It's actually a pretty bad job market out there for dogs. Lots of dogs, many less positions. I'd create a job if I were you and help one of them out.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by tooge

It's actually a pretty bad job market out there for dogs. Lots of dogs, many less positions. I'd create a job if I were you and help one of them out.

This. Sorry to hear about you losing your companion Fax.


As I started to post in OTWP58s thread yesterday, we are very attached to our 12 year old world record sized Yorkie. (16 pounds) We got him as a 6 week old pup, and my wife took him to obedience classes early on.

A year and a half ago now, we decided that we wanted to hedge our bet, and get another one to learn from Toto, and also avoid the complete void and heartache that would be left when we lose him.

Many years ago, our 12 year old German Shepard passed on Fathers day, and it still bothers me to this day. We tried numerous dogs to replace him, but none could measure up.

My older sister, has been a volunteer at the Humane Society since she retired, so we had her keep an eye out. She found Coco for us, a 4 pound female 3 years old, that was just too much trouble for the daughter of the previous owner who had passed away. We are so glad.

At first, they didn't get along at all, and Toto was very jealous.

But now, since Toto has never been a barker, she is his steward. She lets us know when he needs to go out, and when he is ready to come back in. She smells his butt, and will also make sure he knows it is time for him to do his business.

They are quite the pair, and I think he has forgotten about the time when he was an "only dog."

So in a long winded way, that is my recommendation, get two, especially if it will provide a new home for an abandoned dog.

Originally Posted by HemiEd

This. Sorry to hear about you losing your companion Fax.


As I started to post in OTWP58s thread yesterday, we are very attached to our 12 year old world record sized Yorkie. (16 pounds) We got him as a 6 week old pup, and my wife took him to obedience classes early on.

A year and a half ago now, we decided that we wanted to hedge our bet, and get another one to learn from Toto, and also avoid the complete void and heartache that would be left when we lose him.

Many years ago, our 12 year old German Shepard passed on Fathers day, and it still bothers me to this day. We tried numerous dogs to replace him, but none could measure up.

My older sister, has been a volunteer at the Humane Society since she retired, so we had her keep an eye out. She found Coco for us, a 4 pound female 3 years old, that was just too much trouble for the daughter of the previous owner who had passed away. We are so glad.

At first, they didn't get along at all, and Toto was very jealous.

But now, since Toto has never been a barker, she is his steward. She lets us know when he needs to go out, and when he is ready to come back in. She smells his butt, and will also make sure he knows it is time for him to do his business.

They are quite the pair, and I think he has forgotten about the time when he was an "only dog."

So in a long winded way, that is my recommendation, get two, especially if it will provide a new home for an abandoned dog.

I had that way of thinking when we got our Morkie companion for our old Maltese almost 3 years ago. But the Morkie never seemed to learn anything from the older dog. He seemed to be so stupid that the wife tried to give him away several months ago. I stopped that because I figured we had already suffered through the worst of it. Shortly after the old Maltese died, Oliver started communicating with us, his affection increased, and he hasn't shit or pissed in the house at all. I can't explain it. He's awesome now but for the first 2.5 years he was a handful.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Phobia

I had that way of thinking when we got our Morkie companion for our old Maltese almost 3 years ago. But the Morkie never seemed to learn anything from the older dog. He seemed to be so stupid that the wife tried to give him away several months ago. I stopped that because I figured we had already suffered through the worst of it. Shortly after the old Maltese died, Oliver started communicating with us, his affection increased, and he hasn't shit or pissed in the house at all. I can't explain it. He's awesome now but for the first 2.5 years he was a handful.

I am glad to hear Oliver got better when it was his time to shine. I am convinced that dogs are very much like humans, and each have a personality of their own.

It would seem that Oliver respected the seniority of your Maltese, or the Maltese was dominant and made Oliver miserable.

We probably just got lucky, but it hilarious just how dominate the little gal Coco is. All the toys are hers, as are all three of the dog beds, and Toto seems to have accepted it. He draws the line at the chow bowl though, she keeps her distance until he is through.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Get another dog. They're truly man's best friend. I wasn't allowed to have one as a kid, and while mine is 8 years old and I hopefully have a few more years with her, I have no doubt I'll be a dog companion for life. I like having her around. I got me 2 bitches!