Just Lost a Good Dog

So sorry to hear of your loss...some animals have a very special place in this world.

Smoke for you and your family.
 
westfork said:
bigbcustom - Thanks, we considered Great Pyrenes but the grooming aspect of a dog going through brushy areas was a concern. The ranchers to our west use them quite a bit. They put the puppies out with the livestock, supply food, but have very little human contact with the pyrenes so the dogs bond with the livestock instead of the people. These dogs are very matted though. Our newfies give us all the brushing exercise we need.
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Anatolian Shepherd, same size and temper as Pyrenees with the hair of a yellow lab. Great, good natured guard dogs for people and livestock.
 
Lloyd, add me to this lengthy list of those who understand in their bones how much this must hurt. I lost my blockhead lab not quite two years ago and my rottweiler just last August. They packed with me through cougar country on more than one occasion and I was glad to have them along. Even with a great, new dog I still miss them both.

Here is a story with a slightly different twist for those who forget the lesson of loyalty given to us by man or beast.

http://szc001.wordpress.com/2007/01/14/heaven-hell/
 
Sorry to hear of Jackson's passing. Hurts worse when they are taken before their time. God bless all our 4-footed companions.
 
Have a Austrailian Shepherd that runs our little piece of heaven.I worry about him running loose also but he would not have it any other way.Very sorry to hear of your loss.
Someday i hope to see again all the people and animals I have lost through the years.
God bless you sir.
randy
 
Lloyd, I'm sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing Jackson's story. I was over in the Black Hills of SD for quite a while as the cat population was growing. That was my biggest fear for Buddy at the time. We occasionally have them come through over here in Eastern Wyoming too.

If you'd entertain a suggestion... Rodeisan (SP?) Ridgebacks would be great for your situation. A couple of them would definitely give a cat pause. I love Irish Wolfhounds too (Buddy looks like a miniture one... at 90lbs). Ridgebacks were originally bred for lion hunting and companion dogs for ranchers in Africa. I've wanted one for a long time, but found Buddy instead. Just a thought.

Good luck in your search for a new family member.

Alan
 
westfork said:
bigbcustom - Thanks, we considered Great Pyrenes but the grooming aspect of a dog going through brushy areas was a concern. The ranchers to our west use them quite a bit. They put the puppies out with the livestock, supply food, but have very little human contact with the pyrenes so the dogs bond with the livestock instead of the people. These dogs are very matted though. Our newfies give us all the brushing exercise we need.

Thanks,
Lloyd
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I've had pyrs to guard my dairy goats before but if the grooming aspect bugs you get a couple of Anatolian Shepherds. They are relatively short haired and extremely vicious to predators.
 
Kismet said:
Hey Lloyd,

Please accept my sympathies on your loss of a buddy and co-worker.

I know how much it hurts...far beyond "it's just a dog."

Hell, you've been there, you know. Just...sorry, man.


Be well and safe.
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What Kis said.

I lost a beloved Airedale years ago and there's still not a week goes by that I don't miss Rufus. He used to "set on my lap" by putting his front legs and chest on my lap and his hind legs on the floor. Rufus would stand that way for hours if I didn't move.
It's hell to lose a good dog but thankfully our memories can keep them alive in our heart's.
 
Even though they're smaller, Blue Heelers are great companions, and as protective of land and people as i have ever seen. Just an idea for ya or anyone else :)
 
Border Colllie's are fantastic working dogs, but also wonderful companions. They are popular sheep dogs in England. Sorry to hear your news.
 
You have my sincere condolences. It's always hard to lose a family member. Anyone who says pets aren't part of the family has no heart.
 
My aunt (Mom's younger sister) lived her entire life in the same farm house where she was raised. From the time she was a little girl, she loved animals and they loved her. I remember hearing stories about how, when she was very small, she would run around and under the horses in the stable while my grandmother would watch, petrified. She never got hurt. The horses just seemed to accept her. She was that way with all of the creatures around the farm. I believe she loved her animals more than she loved most people.

The first of my aunt's dogs that I can remember was a big German Shepherd named Duke. He was great with us kids and endured our riding on him and subjecting him to various other forms of playful abuse. We were in awe of his penchant for snapping at wasps and yellow jackets in flight, catching and then eating them - how cool is that!

As fate would have it, we were visiting my aunt and grandmother when Duke passed away. I was around six. I can recall seeing my aunt, grandmother and Mom (who has never been an animal person like my aunt was) weeping in grief. I can't remember ever seeing a similar outpouring of emotion from my aunt.

Primarily because my Mom is not an animal person, we never had dogs growing up. I guess I didn't really miss not having one, because I never had the experience of having one and then losing it. We finally got a dog in our house last year (a little dog which was a gift to my wife), but we have all grown quite attached to the little rat. I get a warmer welcome from her than from anyone else when I walk in the door at the end of the day. I like that.

Eric
 
Well, bigbcustom & hollowdweller you talked me into it. We're heading down south to pick up a couple Anatolian Shepherds next week. Won't replace Jackson but will make it a lot more secure around the farm once they mature.
Thanks everyone,
Lloyd
 
Not to mention that they will act in pack style and watch each other's backs as well as yours. The cats will recognize the difference...
 
So very sorry for your loss....I Had a Golden Retriever for almost 14 years and when it died I was stunned...You just think they will live forever.....about 3 weeks after she died I was driving to work (I am a very grizzled older big guy who has had a rough time and am not in the least wimpy) and all of a sudden I just burst into tears all the way to work. The way I coped was in about a year I rescued a Malamute from the Pound to give it a chance at life.

Again I am very sorry....Good luck on your new dogs......My wife says the only thing that keeps puppies alive is their so damn cute...LOL
 
Nasty said:
Not to mention that they will act in pack style and watch each other's backs as well as yours. The cats will recognize the difference...
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Yep, that is why we are getting two. Munch (the Newf in my avatar) and Jackson formed a pack when by the house and the cats never came too close when Munch was outside during the cooler winter months, but Munch could never keep up with the Border Collie and it is too hot for him to be outside all the time during the summer. Munch (170# and 32") may have to get used to being our small dog as these new pups come from a large bloodline. As big as our Newfoundland, as fast and agile as our Border Collie, and very long-lived. This will be interesting. I am building a large, secure pen for the pups for nights and when we are gone until they are large enough to take care of themselves. I don't want to be running a snack shop for the mountain lions.
Here is the father of our new puppies:
SamsonEatingZoe.jpg

Lloyd
 
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