Saying goodbye to the happiest dog ever

No matter what I was doing, whether it was just putting out the garbage, letting out the chickens, or putting them away again at night, cleaning the pool, or digging a hole, Nash always wanted to be with me following along with his bum wagging and a smile – yes a dog can smile – happy to be involved, happy to be outside, happy to be around whoever was busy doing anything.

Helpful hand… well, mouth actually

The gentlest of souls, he guarded the other animals, protecting them and stopping fights, sticking his face right in there and stopping the cats from fighting, or the chickens from fighting, or even the other dogs when they were fighting over a favorite toy. A blue Merle Australian shepherd, he was mostly grey from the start as soon as he got his adult coat that is, which suited his old soul. He was selfless, kind, and had a compassion that you couldn’t help but feel whenever you looked into his eyes. He was the kind of dog that would just stand back and let the other dogs eat his food if he thought they needed it more than he did. I could hold out a piece of food for him and he would never snap, never be forceful, but gently take it barely closing his teeth around it without ever making contact with my hand.

Puppy Nash – may 2007

We picked him out of a litter when he was just a few weeks old, even then, his eyes gave away his personality and compassion. The name came to us since I had just returned from a business trip to Nashville, and it just suited him, and the breeders used it as part of his legal name on his papers since he was a purebred. He quickly grew, very quickly, but never lost the happiness and perkiness of puppydom. Even on his last day, riddled with cancer and lesions on his lungs, he was happy and trying to help me with chores in the morning, keeping the chickens in line and following me like the happiest shadow you could ever meet.

As soon as you met him, and he figured out you were a friend, you were a friend for life and part of his pack. He was not a small dog, but he wanted to sit on your lap and lick your face if you let him, or just curl up next to you content to be near his people. All of our dogs have been special and a part of the family, and Nash was the one that you wished all animals could learn from. His heart, his joy for life, his kindness and selflessness, those traits made him who he was and make losing him horrible, but having known him made us all blessed.

Rest In Peace Nashy. My buddy, my constant companion, my happy little helper. Thank you for the time we had. 13 yrs went by in the blink of an eye. You were there when the kids grew up, thru a lot of hard times, helping in ways I’m not sure you ever knew with your little wag of your bum and your smiles. You left big paw prints on all our hearts. I’m sure Tilley and Gunner were there to meet you as you passed.

We all love you Nash. Until we meet again on that rainbow bridge. Good boy.

Nashville Star “Nash”, Feb 10, 2007 – June 23, 2020

-barkerp

Our family is a little smaller, and the hole felt is enormous

For a little dog, the hole left behind after he moves on is in no way proportional to him.

Gunner, or “our little old man”, as he was referred to in the past year or so after he all but lost his hearing, most of his teeth and started really showing his grey, passed away yesterday and his being missing from the house leaves a Saint Bernard sized hole, even though he was a chihuahua weighing in at about 6 lbs.

When I got him at Christmas back in 2003, I wasn’t sure why the wife had bought such a little dog or why a chihuahua. We’d always had large dogs, and this seemed odd, but his heart and energy and loving nature quickly made him a part of our crazy little family. Turned out I had seen a commercial on tv and made a comment about how cute the little dog was on it, and that was enough to light a spark of an idea. A spark that turned into a loving companion that would travel with us happily anywhere and always made himself right at home. He was slow to get to know people and new animals, but once he did, you were in his pack and he welcomed you with a smile, somewhat toothless of late, but a smile nonetheless (I say dogs do smile, you can see it in their eyes mostly).

Always nearby when doing anything, he was curious and maybe a little intrusive, but its easy to forgive such a sweet soul when he is finding it chilly and wants to snuggle on your lap or share your blanket. He was my little bed warmer for over a decade until he started not being able to make it thru the night without needing to pee. A trait I myself am not looking forward to acquiring but time takes its toll on us all.

Our family is smaller, and he will never be forgotten, he is going to be missed so much each and every day, his cute little face and wagging tail was always right there to greet me each morning, and every time I came home he would fight his way thru the other pets to make sure I got to pet him. Gunner, like another of our other beloved dogs, Enya who was his first adopted mom and passed shortly after he joined our family, loved pizza crusts and would wait patiently until I was finished eating and gave him a little piece. As he got older and lost his hearing, he would whimper softly, almost imperceptibly as he waited, just to make sure he wasn’t forgotten or overlooked.

RIP my little man. You made your mark on a lot of lives, and gave us so many years of happiness, I just wish I had a few more. The good do die young. Too young. Too soon. I am sure all your furry friends will be waiting for you in heaven. Now I have to make sure I’m good so I can see you again.

-barkerp

the past should be a place of reference, not one of residence

We learn from our past.  It shapes us. It affects us in ways both good and bad. You might say it makes us who we are.

But it should be a place of memories. Fond or difficult they all came together to make us each who we are, but they should not be a place we live in.

On this day more than most I give myself a little extra time to remember and to reflect and to cherish those memories,  both the good and the bad.

There is no changing the past, but there is learning from it, and keeping memories close to our hearts, but you should never let them rob you of your future or cause you to dwell in them.

It’s been 10 years since my brother was taken from this world, and I choose to remember the good times, and gloss over the bad like the way his life was cut short. Memories keep people alive in our hearts, and need to be shared and that’s what days like this should be about. Look back fondly and look forward with hope.

As always big bro, I’m at your final resting place with my bike. Feel free to join me, but you have to ride bitch, after all it’s my bike.

Ride on bro,

Barkerp

Tilley. Goodbye our sweet friend

We had to say goodbye today to our beautiful friend and companion of nearly 13 years, Tilley. 

Coming home the first time after a beloved dog moves on is heartbreaking. It doesn’t matter how many other animals are there to greet you, the hole after one dog has left is enormous.

She was the matriarch of our little herd. 

The instigator at times, moreso before her hearing started to go, barking at any noise outside that didn’t seem right to her. 

The referee at times, stepping in between the other dogs when a kerfuffle broke out. 

The ever vigilant watchful eye when outside, making us aware of guests or people passing by.  

The mother at times, helping us to raise the new puppies as they joined our little zoo of animals.  Watchful over them, and putting up with all those puppy quirks, nips, noises, and general misbehavings.

She not only watched over the animals – cat and rabbit as well as the other dogs – but was there for us, her people, always watching over us, happy to see us and be with us, right up to the end when we could see she wanted to be near us although her body was failing her.  A truly wonderful friend and companion and always so sweet no matter what was going on or how she was feeling, and once she knew you, you were a friend for life and one of her flock.

Rainbow bridge has another beautiful soul waiting for us on the other side.  I’m pretty sure she’ll be there keeping all the other animals in line and teaching them manners while she waits.

Rest in peace Tilley.

Barkerp

Saying goodbye to a beloved feathered friend

I mentioned this on FB last night, but a pet deserves more than just a post or mention that typically lasts only a few minutes in this crazy busy world of info overload.

from FB… “Sadly lost our last of the original 3 chickens today, “Pumpkin”. Passed quietly after almost 9 yrs of entertaining and teaching us what having chickens as pets is like. We raised her from 3 days old. She was like a dog, came when called, always nearby when we were outside, liked to dig in the garden with us. All with the added benefit of giving us eggs. So, a little better than a pet dog in some ways. She’ll be missed. Hopefully see her again on rainbow bridge.”

We didn’t really know what we were getting into when deciding to get chickens nearly 9 years ago, sure we’d read a lot on the internet and some books and talked to some people who had them but until you actually have them yourself you really don’t know how much personality and life these little characters have.
Pumpkin, named for the orange head and black body, helped teach us what worked and how tough these little feather friends are. She was one of the original 3, Pumpkin, Ginger and Zena, and lived the longest.  She also helped train each new chicken we brought into the flock.  Taught them not to wander onto the road, (they have full roam of our property with no fence around it, just farmer’s field, and a highway out front) where it was safe to sit and roost, to always come running when we called, to stay close when we were digging to get all the good bugs, etc..

They adjust to the weather, even our cold harsh winters up here. Sure they may not like walking on the snow, but they just stay cooped up (pun intended) for the really harsh weather and come out whenever it is sunny enough and they can see grass, even if it is just a path I cleared thru the snow for them.  Rain, sun or snow, heat or cold, they just endure it.

They are not just dumb animals, they are more than just food.  I hope that me sharing a little piece of her life story makes a few people realize that they are not just meat.  They really are no different than a dog or a cat, they are pets and our lives are better for having known them.

RIP little Pumpy, wait for us on rainbow bridge, there is a good number of our beloved animals there to keep you company.

barkerp