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BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog
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BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog |
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Subject: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: ranger1 Date: 09 Mar 12 - 04:24 PM Just back from the vet, we took big Joey in for his final trip to the vet. He wasn't our dog, but he spent a lot of time with us. As bad as it will be for J-boy, Bandit, and me, it will be so much worse for Kathy, his person for the last 12 years. Joey was a shelter scoop from off the streets of New York City. My neighbor saw his picture online and fell in love. He was supposed to be a yellow lab/golden retriever cross, but we think it was probably lab/hound instead. Joey had a rough start, there's no telling how long he'd been on the streets, but he weighed less than half of what he should have and had no chest muscles. He had probably never been housebroken, there's no telling when his last square meal had been before he went into foster care with the rescue, and he was afraid of everything. He was somewhere between three and four when he came to Kathy and was the reason we got to know Kathy. He and our old dog Clancy would run around Kathy's yard together, and eventually we became good friends. We dogsat for each other, went on vacation together, and have become family. Joey went from being a skinny, scared dog to a beautiful, solid 85 pound dog with a lot of fun quirks. he wasn't the brightest dog, but there wasn't a mean bone in his body. When I say he wasn't the brightest dog, I don't mean he was stupid. He was very clever when it came to finding and acquiring food. As Jason used to say: "Joey isn't stupid, he's special." He was an entertaining dog. Never the most graceful of creatures, he used to dash madly in big circles when he was happy, and frequently crashed into the sides of buildings. He also was attacked by an end table once when we were on vacation on Monhegan Island. Kathy and I still laugh about that one, you kind of have to have been there... The loose skin on his face was fun to play with, we could disguise him as a shar-pei, or blindfold him with his own ears. He'd put up with it, knowing that eventually we'd have our fun and give him a biscuit for his patience. He also used to like to shove his head into water almost up to his ears and walk around blowing bubbles. We called that his snorkle-dog routine. In between dogs, Joey spent a lot of time at our place. The only time he ever got on any piece of furniture, he got on the bed with me, stretched out next to me and whuffled my hair every once in a while until I was ready to get up. When Bandit arrived, Joey became his best bud in the whole world. Bandit's not too sure what to make of all the crying people around him and where did we leave Joey? Joey was excellent with small children. Kathy's grand-daughters adored him. He'd let them crawl all over him, and when he'd had enough, he'd go hide somewhere. Never a nip or a growl, no matter what they did to him. I could go on forever with Joey stories, but I won't. I'll just say that it was a pleasure to have known that big yellow lug for the twelve years that he lived across the street. See ya, big guy. Go find Clancy and Seamus and have a romp on the beach with legs that work properly again. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 09 Mar 12 - 05:07 PM I feel very sad reading this, but at the same time happy that Joey found such a wonderful home where he was loved and properly cared for. Twelve is a good age, you all did so well. Hang on to the lovely memories. RIP Joey. Eliza xx |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: gnu Date: 09 Mar 12 - 05:24 PM Sniff... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: Maryrrf Date: 09 Mar 12 - 05:58 PM I'm so sorry to hear this. I too have dog friends that aren't technically mine, but they're dear to me nonetheless. It's small comfort, but it does sound like Joey had a wonderful life. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: catspaw49 Date: 09 Mar 12 - 06:32 PM So sorry....I'm still not over Sissy but I nerver will be. We have 2 more now and they are both very different but we went the rescue route this time! Sounds as though Joey had quite a life and provided something great for all of you in return. Damn dogs just don't live long enough.......... Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: Jeri Date: 09 Mar 12 - 07:04 PM I saw him last in January, and his back end wasn't working well, but in the way of dogs, he didn't dwell on it and just got on with whatever. Kathy loved him most, and he had a whole extended pack who loved him. We'll all miss him. Hugs for Kathy, and for the rest of you. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: ranger1 Date: 09 Mar 12 - 07:19 PM A couple of pics of the old guy: Bandit and Joey at the beach Christmas |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: kendall Date: 09 Mar 12 - 07:26 PM I'm sure you can guess how I feel about this. :-( |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: olddude Date: 09 Mar 12 - 07:41 PM I am so so sorry hon this breaks one's heart for sure Dan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: Micca Date: 09 Mar 12 - 08:08 PM So Sad, he was a friend, and I will miss him. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: Leadfingers Date: 09 Mar 12 - 08:28 PM The consolation is that a GOOD dog had a good home for most of his life , with GOOD people |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: Janie Date: 09 Mar 12 - 10:16 PM Thanks for sharing this Tami. Brings tears to my eyes. FWI, I don't think you can go wrong with a hound-lab mix. We have had several, all of them terrific "people." |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: katlaughing Date: 09 Mar 12 - 10:29 PM What a beautiful tribute/eulogy. Thanks for telling us of Joey. He sounds a lot like the big, ol' galoot we had years ago, also a rescue dog. The whole neighbourhood loved him, but esp. the kids. As my dad would say, "He had a good life." Condolences to you all and to Bandit. luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: ChanteyLass Date: 09 Mar 12 - 11:22 PM I never met Joey, but after reading the initial post, I miss him, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: Beer Date: 09 Mar 12 - 11:36 PM Loosing a friend should never be easy. We lost our 2 three years ago about 3 months apart. It was very difficult. But time mends all wounds, so now we have another we rescued from the pound and were all a happy family again. Adrien |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Mar 12 - 01:56 AM We lose our hearts to these wonderful creatures, but since they have a shorter life span than people, we too often have to bid them adieu. But think about the companionship and joy both dog and owner have while they're here in the full measure of their lives. The stunts, the tricks, the subterfuge, the sneaky stuff, the outright affectionate exhibits, it's all part of the relationship. We're so lucky to be in the position to share lives (even better if it was a rescue) with these wonderful beings. I have two middle-aged pooches and a young whipper-snapper in my life these days. The whipper-snapper is a friend's dog, and he's a focal point in her recovery from severe injuries (shattered hip and head injuries as a pedestrian hit by a car in a parking lot on January 12). I've been taking him to see her at the rehab facility where she is right now. Her family and I are all aware that if there hadn't been a good place for him to stay (here) that her recovery would have been so much more difficult. No one should lose their dog because of something like this. Our dogs are family and we worry about them as much as we do our children. Since she hasn't had to worry, it has been much easier for everyone associated with it. Kendall, think about if you worried about Seamus, back in the good old days, if you were ill or away. You had good places for him to stay, and that made all the difference. Tami, it's tough, but aren't you proud that you were able to contribute to the quality of life of such a wonderful pooch? And don't you smile when you think about him? That is what is important. The visiting chocolate lab (2 months and counting) and my rescue pooch Poppy are in the front room on dog beds on the futon. Cinnamon the rescue pit bull is on a dog bed on top of a Persian carpet in my bedroom. (She picks on Poppy sometimes, so I let her feel special by moving her into my room.) Maybe I'll let her hop up on the bed (she's dying to, but knows she can't unless invited) in honor of your dog. She will be in heaven, and is forever indebted to your sweet dog for the treat. So there is a continuum of sorts, isn't there? Tami, think of the pure doggie joy my pit bull will have this evening, thanks to your pooch. I hope that helps! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Mar 12 - 01:59 AM I just re-read the first post. or blindfold him with his own ears. He'd put up with it, knowing that eventually we'd have our fun and give him a biscuit for his patience. You realize, of course, that the dog was the grown-up here. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: Genie Date: 10 Mar 12 - 02:09 AM Everyone else has said pretty much what I'm feeling, ranger. I feel myself falling in love with this guy just from reading how you tell his story. I know how hard it is to say goodbye with a beloved animal companion, especially one who's been such a big part of your life for so long. My deepest condolences to you and to Joey's family - and it makes me feel good to know both your families shared so much fun and love with Joey for 12 years. Genie |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: maeve Date: 10 Mar 12 - 07:38 AM Thinking of you, Tami, and of Kathy and the rest of Joey's friends. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: frogprince Date: 10 Mar 12 - 08:24 AM He was just a dog, for cryin' out loud... (So why did I tear up a little when I read about him?...) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: jacqui.c Date: 10 Mar 12 - 08:31 AM So sad to read this. Joey really was a character. Hugs to you all. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: ranger1 Date: 11 Mar 12 - 01:21 PM I sent the link to this thread to Kathy, and she thanks everyone for their kind words and thoughts. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell to a big yellow dog From: SINSULL Date: 12 Mar 12 - 10:14 AM My post is gone...RIP old friend. You are a silly dog and a lot of it. Auntie SINS |
