Sunday, December 20, 2009

Abby (1986--2009) A Dog For All Seasons




My favorite dog Abby (Abgail Blackstar Bear) had to pass away last week at the vets from cancer.
Shirley and I were with her until the end. A dog's (or any pets's life) sometimes means more than one realizes. I'm a doglover and have had a few dogs of mixed breed and a never thought much of purebreeds. But this little black dog changed that for me. Abby was an unpretentious purebreed Schipperke and she enjoyed meeting people and sniffing other dogs and, when she was a younger, just chasing about the house for the sheer hell of it--especially when two-legged visitors came to the house.
She was a good friend too. Here are a few shots from the family album.

Good by, Old Sporting Lady, may God Bless.

20 comments:

  1. Ah, Doug -- I'm sorry. Truly.

    I've lost 'fur relatives' before - and it's on a par with any other life-changing event.

    My best to you and yours!

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  2. Truly sorry to hear this news Doug as they truly are a part of the family.

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  3. A schipperke. Originally they were bred as barge dogs for boats in the lowlands of Belgium and Holland. A Flemish breed.

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  4. Thanks Astra. It is like losing a friend.

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  5. You're right Jack. Abby was a very lively little family member, and our home is a lot quieter sadly. Thanks.

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  6. Awww, it's so hard to say goodbye to old friends. I feel for you.

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  7. Thank you Heidi. Abby was a special dog.

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  8. It is hard indeed, Melanie, but I'm glad for the good memories. Thanks.

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  9. Now she's playing with barges in the sky hopefully. ..

    Like somebody famous once said: If there are no dogs in heaven, it ain't heaven.

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  10. Thanks for sharing those images, sorry for your loss.

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  11. I agree with that sentiment Frank--totally.

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  12. I`m teribly sorry about your loss, Doug. One of the saddest things in our lives in the number of faithful cats and dogs that we outlive. When my old Springer Spaniel died, I cried and cried and cried. I still miss him.

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  13. I'm so sorry, Doug. I guess we share a large part of our heart with our dogs and they leave a huge gap in our lives when they die. The one last thing we can do for them is to see they don't suffer.

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  14. Thanks Jeff. Springer Spaniels are wonderful dogs. The faith and trust our pets put into us does leave an emotional hole in our lives when they leave.

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  15. Yes, I'm afraid easing the suffering of a pet who seriously ill is often the only recourse we have, Cassandra.
    Shirley and I discussed options with our veternarian---who had been her vet for years, seeing her before only a couple months back. The decline was so swift the doctor said there was no good outcome and she would likely only suffer more and soon.
    Abby's breed tends to live a long time so this came much too early for us. But such is life. Thanks for your kind thoughts.

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