Back in 2001 when Niki and I were having tons of fertility trouble -- before we had our three kids -- we did what fertility-challenged couples are not supposed to do. We got a puppy.
Barkley was the first of our three Cavaliers, but she wasn't the first Cavalier we tried to get. Our breeder chatted with me while we were looking at his dogs and I didn't realize I was being tested and I failed. Niki was shocked that I could be so clueless about the "adoption" process. I didn't fail my second test and we got Barkley.
In college, Niki had a high-jumping cat that she named Jordan after Michael Jordan. She had been an MJ fan since his UNC days. Now we had a dog to name and we both enjoyed watching Charles Barkley on TNT, so Barkley it was.
Barkley was the first dog I ever had from a puppy and she was the best.
She was the first dog I ever took to be trained. After a few lessons I figured out how dogs learn, so I decided to skip ahead and I taught Barkley how to shake. The next lesson after I did that, the instructor went on a rant about how laying down and heeling are useful skills but shaking hands is just a circus trick with no practical value. Hah!
Cavaliers commonly have a heart valve defect. Recently that meant Barkley would get fluid in her lungs and in spite of medication she often had trouble breathing. This weekend when we boarded our other two dogs for a July 4th trip to see my family, we took Barkley upstate with us. We knew the outdoor exercise would be less harmful for her than the stress of a lonely weekend at the kennel. Yesterday she had another crisis requiring a doctor visit. Today when she wouldn't even lift her head to eat a treat we knew it was time for her to go.
I miss my circus dog so much.
GrimJack
EZ Street
Jon Sable, Freelance
Comments (8)
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Brian Alvey 578 days ago
We knew she wasn't doing well, so we spoiled her this past weekend. She had a cheeseburger while we were driving upstate and got to gnaw on a big steak bone after our barbecue.
Thanks Frank!
Brian Alvey 577 days ago
That's exactly how it was here. I'm sorry to hear about Guinness. Thanks Keith!
Keith McDuffee 577 days ago
Hi Brian. Condolences to you and Niki. We had the same thing happen to us last year and had our dog, Guinness, for the same reasons you got Barkley. Was the worst pain I felt in memory, because we really felt we lost a child. So, I feel for you guys.
Frank B 578 days ago
Sorry to hear about your loss.
I know how tough it can be to lose a pet, especially one that has really become part of the family.
Enjoy those memories!!
Ric 570 days ago
Our pet become like a child to us. I lost my Nikki http://hubpages.com/hub/My-Dog-NIKKI early this year. You truly realize how temporary life is when this happens. I don't have to tell you the emptiness that comes over you when this happens. A few months after her passing, I saw an advertisement for dog fostering. It's not a replacement for the loss, but since I'm still here why not give another pet a comfortable home instead of them laboring in the shelter.
I still talk to Nikki every day, but fostering makes you fell useful. I'm sure Nikki would agree. Best Wishes..
Livvy 557 days ago
My baby girl died yesterday at 4 years. I have 3 others, but am struggling to cope with her sudden passing - she was poisioned and it was horrifc, I am blaming myslef, I should have done so so much more. I dont think I will ever get over this, she was my baby girl... I cant forget the last night I was with her, she was in so much pain, I failed her so badly.... will I ever feel better....
Anonymous 409 days ago
Livvy,
I am so sorry to hear your sad news. Please don't blame yourself. You are going through the natural stages of grief. You must know that you gave your baby girl a quality life. She is not suffering now, and let's pray she's somewhere wonderful. I too am close to losing my four year old baby girl to cancer (Roxy, a Golden). So, so hard. Hang in there, it'll get better (and don't forget your other doggies need you!)
Anonymous 409 days ago
Livvy, I couldn't help but respond to your comment. I had a dog that was poisoned too. It broke my heart to see her convulsing and deteriorate so quickly. To make matters worse the Vet told us that she was improving. She wasn't. When we picked her up we had false hope that she was getting better. We the had to decide on having her put down the day or so after. It was awful. But you cannot and should not blame yourself Livvy. It was an unforeseen occurrence and you aren't responsible for what happened. You clearly wouldn't ever do anything to hurt her and she would have known that. The pain fades. Put your grief into positive action and make the lives of your three others just as happy as hers was. Good luck.
- Nathan