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. So 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
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Brian Alvey 65 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 64 days ago
That's exactly how it was here. I'm sorry to hear about Guinness. Thanks Keith!
Keith McDuffee 64 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 65 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 57 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 44 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....