…And Then There Were Three
Every now and again, I find it is my duty as a Dad to simply cave into the will of my family. This opportunity recently presented itself on one, fine, glorious Sunday afternoon.
It was a sunny Sunday, at home alone with nothing much to do except lay around on the couch, watch “guy” movies on AMC or TNT and gear up for the coming week. It was post-football season, so there wasn’t much of importance to contend with except for an occasional trip to the ‘fridge for refreshments during commercial breaks.
So there I was, lazing around the day when a call comes in, “Go look at your cell phone”. A photo message. “I’m at Petsmart, you need to go look at your phone.”
Usually this is the part where I find that something is going to cost me money…and it did. And there she was, a face one could not resist and a tragic story to go with it and my heartstrings were fully yanked.
As if we didn’t have enough animals to take care of, house and feed, but somehow I found myself hooked, lined and sinkered into bringing home our little “Angel”. She was on the Humane’s Society “Death Row” (quite the oxymoron) just days away from being euthanized - a guilty burden I could not carry… so of course I said, “yes”.
I’d like to introduce the latest member of our growing family, “Angel”. She is a 6 month old Italian Greyhound Chihuahua mix - affectionately known as the breed, Italian Greywawa. She is a sweetheart, cuddlebug that no mortal man can refuse.
Unfortunately, during her ordeal at the pound she contracted distemper and the result is a never-ending “tick” that resembles Turret’s Syndrome minus the foul language. Of course, I don’t understand dog too well, so she could be cussing me out unbeknownst to me.
It was one of those situations where I couldn’t say “no” and if I did, I’d be the scourge of the earth. I love dogs and seemingly have an invisible flashing neon sign plastered across my forehead that says, “SUCKER”, unfortunately it’s something that is only blatantly visible to my kids and my wife.
Even with all the suckering, Angel has been a wonderful addition, she loves the kids, gets along with the other dogs and has fit in quite well…and at least for one day, according to Sara, I was…”The best Dad in the whole world”.
Coming Home Soon
We had an opportunity to visit with our yet unnamed Boston Terrier yesterday, and he certainly has grown quite a bit. From looking like a little guinea pig on our last visit to a now 4 pound mischievous critter.
We officially get to bring him home next Sunday, July 15, something to which we are all looking forward.
So until then, enjoy a few photos of our new little guy over in the photoblog.
Another Tearful Goodbye
I regret to announce that our beloved greyhound, Chaser, lost his battle with bone cancer this morning. His final day was a painful one, as the cancer apparently took over his left side, essentially making a torturous decision on our behalf.
It’s a difficult concept to grasp, choosing death over life. To try and rise above the guilt of what needs to be done and gripped with selfish desire to hang on to an animal you so desperately love. We decided to let him go, and to be free of his pain, choosing to deal with the hurt of our loss rather than the agony of his long suffering. But knowing you did the right thing, doesn’t make the choice any easier, you only take comfort in aiding in his relief and easing your mind.
If Gunnar was a prince among dogs, then Chaser was the humble, obedient gentlemen. The fastest dog I’ve ever seen, legs flailing as he galloped like a prized thoroughbred around his imaginary backyard racetrack. His toothy overbite provided a multitude of photo opportunities and caused the most ferocious case of halitosis on the planet, coupled with a comical chatter of his teeth, when he would get excited or nervous. For sure, he was an oddball, but a handsome one, a proud one and a loved one.
In our 2 years with him, he was a bit standoffish initially, not particularly fond of being too close and had a “personal space” issue, but quickly became a lapdog bottled up in the body of a big, lovable doofus with gentle eyes and a kind soul. Isn’t it funny how the small ones want to be big and the big ones want to be small?
We take solace in knowing that, today, he joins his little buddy and mentor, Gunnar, in doggy heaven. And though our time together was cut short, and we add a Chaser shaped hole to our hearts, we relish in the opportunity of having, knowing and loving our “Bubba”. He was a good friend, companion and snuggle bug.
We miss you, we love you and you can rest now, my friend. Goodbye gentle giant.