| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 10:43:59 AM | Recently, I've lost someone VERY dear to me. This isn't a loss of a girlfriend or any other family member or human being. Nothing like that. Early Thursday morning, I lost the best 4-legged friend that a guy could possibly ask for. He was actually my neighbor's dog but you would never know it. People that knew him (Kipper), knew that he was MY dog. My neighbors were never around and really didn't take care of him and give him the attention that a dog like Kipper truly deserved. This is apparently, where I came in.
He would greet me as I was leaving for work and he would greet me as I was coming home from work. The wagging of a tail will turn whatever sh*tty kind of day that you've had around pretty quickly. He would come and hang out with me on the front deck of my house. He would even sleep under my bedroom window on the front deck of my house. There wasn't a soul who didn't like that dog. For an outside dog, he was a real "people person." He was probably THE most human of any human I've probably ever known. He was there for me and I was there for HIM when no one else was. We had that bond.
I've never had much of a friendship with his real owners even though I've lived here almost 3 years. Obviously, they knew a cared a great deal about that dog. I came home Thursday evening (2/7/08) to see a note taped to my garage door. The note told me what had happened to Kipper. I have been devastated ever since. The loss has been crazy as hell for me because he was only a dog! As my luck would have it, this year I'm not only looking for a valentine, I'm ALSO hoping she either has or likes dogs. Do my feelings for all of this make me sound like a total whimp or what? I'm just curious on your input about what I've been going through here. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 10:48:16 AM | | Why don't you go to your local Humane Society and pick out a dog that needs a good home? | |
|
| |
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 10:53:14 AM | I will be devestated when my dog Ruckus goes which i hope is a very long time from now.
I luvs him and he luv me. I know he was born to be with me.
That's very sad that you lost your companion. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 10:54:23 AM | First, I am truly sorry to hear that you lost your friend. And that is what he was, even if 'only' a dog.
You do not seem like a wimp at all - you seem like a kind hearted, loving man that any woman should be glad to know. Even though I don't consider myself a dog-person, I still understand that some dogs are just very special and there is nothing like the relationship between a person and a dog that seems to have chosen them for their owner. It sounds like Kipper chose you for his true owner. I think that makes you a special person, because I truly believe that animals, especially dogs, can sense goodness in a person.
I hope that you can take some time to grieve this loss, and that you don't feel that grieving makes you less of a man in any way - to me, true men can have strong feelings and not be afraid to admit it.
I pray that you will find a woman who appreciates you for the kind man that you are, and hope that you also find another special dog to care for you.
 | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 10:59:50 AM |
Why don't you go to your local Humane Society and pick out a dog that needs a good home?
That will eventually be the gameplan. There's too much yard and it's too damn quiet for there not to be a dog running around out there. He left too much of a pressence. Right now, I think it's a bit too soon to consider ANOTHER dog. It sounds weird but I would be feeling like I'm cheating his memory by rushing out THIS soon. The dog thought about as much of me as I did him. Doing it too soon would'nt be fair. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 11:02:53 AM |
Here is a dog until you find one...
You know, if you clicked on my profile, there's a picture of Kipper and I on it. Your little dog here looks like him! That was very sweet AND awesome of you, thank you! | |
|
| |
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 11:09:22 AM |
I will be devestated when my dog Ruckus goes which i hope is a very long time from now.
I luvs him and he luv me. I know he was born to be with me.
That's very sad that you lost your companion.
I've lost family members, friends, AND other dogs. This one, there was just something special about him. I've been putting together a special folder of pictures of him on my computer today. In doing so, I realized that there is never enough nor will there ever be anymore pictures of him taken. It was THAT much a part of my life yet the lack of pictures sucks. Take all the pictures of Ruckus that you can. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 11:11:06 AM | I've never really been able to understand anyone that can honestly say a pet is just an animal. Pets, to me, become a big part of my life and family. My cats mean the world to me. A couple of years ago, I had to put down my 19 year old cat, as she was failing terribly, and I didn't want her to go through anymore suffering. Hell, I had to take 3 days off work because I couldn't stop crying, and walking around the house calling her name. I can't even remember how long it was before I could finally put away her food dishes from off the floor. Pets love us unconditionally, no matter what, and I sure missed that love from my cat.
You have every right to feel the way you do. Your grieving just shows your human side, so don't ever change that. As with anything, it does get easier over time, so just have faith, and hold on to the memories.
 | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 11:12:27 AM | yep. i have pictures of Ruckus and even a video of him trying to say his name on youtube...hahhahaha...i'm a dork.....
He is my baby...... | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 11:13:51 AM |
First, I am truly sorry to hear that you lost your friend. And that is what he was, even if 'only' a dog.
You do not seem like a wimp at all - you seem like a kind hearted, loving man that any woman should be glad to know. Even though I don't consider myself a dog-person, I still understand that some dogs are just very special and there is nothing like the relationship between a person and a dog that seems to have chosen them for their owner. It sounds like Kipper chose you for his true owner. I think that makes you a special person, because I truly believe that animals, especially dogs, can sense goodness in a person.
I hope that you can take some time to grieve this loss, and that you don't feel that grieving makes you less of a man in any way - to me, true men can have strong feelings and not be afraid to admit it.
I pray that you will find a woman who appreciates you for the kind man that you are, and hope that you also find another special dog to care for you.
I told one of my buddies yesterday, "you know my heart must be in the right place when instead of looking at a girl and wondering what she looks like naked, I'm just wondering what kind of dog she has." That dog and I spent 2 summers out on the front deck of my house, listening to tunes and drinking beer. He wasn't old enough to drink though. I just gave him water. I was REALLY looking forward to a 3rd summer. Winter has been getting me down and thinking of summer was making things better. Now, there's THIS. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 11:19:22 AM | Dogs are the best people you will ever meet. When mine passed away at age 16 three years ago I was a mess for six months. Nothing much you can do but cry a lot.
 | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 11:19:48 AM |
yep. i have pictures of Ruckus and even a video of him trying to say his name on youtube...hahhahaha...i'm a dork.....
He is my baby......
I did have some video of Kipper trying to jump in my car as I greeted him after coming home from work. I accidentally erased it from my cell phone when I was trying figure out how to transfer from the memory card to my computer. He would greet me like this every day. I still have his muddy paw prints on the inside of my car door from him that he left the day before he was hit. I don't have the heart right now to clean them off OR clean out his food and water bowels out on the front deck. He was my buddy. That must make ME a dork too! | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 11:23:23 AM |
Dogs are the best people you will ever meet. When mine passed away at age 16 three years ago I was a blubbering mess for six months. Nothing much you can do but cry a lot.
Oh, he was THE most human soul I think I've ever known or will ever meet. I'm not a cryer but this whole thing has had me ripped in half. It was such a part AND pressence in my life that it will be some time before I'm over it all. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 2:48:31 PM | OP,
I had two german shepard brother and sister. As of December 29 I only have one.
I lost the male he passed in his sleep 12 years old.
Did it hurt...ya, it still does.
Still have the female and find myself spoiling her a little more then I ever did. Go figure.
The male shepard was my best four legged friend. He was my mate and we got them both as pups. Raised them, trained them. We spent a little over $6,000.00 on specialized training for him as I took him to work with me for 7 years. He literally saved my life twice during this time frame. When we retired him from service it broke my heart a little. I found myself talking to him while driving and he wasn't even there...
He weighed 128 lbs and was the traditional black/tan colouring. He had the biggest paws I have ever seen on a shepard. Pics of him are on my profile if you care to view.
We got him cremated and his ashes are sitting on my desk at home (big desk). I saw him one time take a regulation size basket ball in his mouth and pop the thing. I know that there will never be another dog like him and ya I miss him something bad. We have gone to look at a male shepard that our vet had taken custody of but...the hurt is still to fresh.
Give yourself time to heal before getting another four legged friend. If you should find a lady her on POF that has a dog all the better, just remember that it is her dog mate.  | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 3:00:08 PM | | I had to have my jack russell put down last summer and it was the hardest thing i`ve had to do. Had her for over 15 years when we found her abandoned on a park when she was a pup. Took her to the police station and back then they said if no one claimed her in 7 days she could be put down, thankfully no one came. Altho she was a grumpy stubborn little b1tch it was so hard!! It does get easier tho. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 3:09:23 PM |
Do my feelings for all of this make me sound like a total whimp or what? I'm just curious on your input about what I've been going through here.
No OP, your feelings are real and genuine and show a depth of love most would be blessed to have.
I raised two bulldogs for almost 12 years. I lost my male in May of 2006 and my female this past May. May sucks now....
I get the pain you're experiencing and also understand you're not ready to visit a humane society yet. Hell, I'm STILL not ready. I well up just thinking of my babies.....
All I can say is to be gentle with yourself during this grieving process, for it's as real as if you'd lost a two legged friend. And know too that the "right" woman for you will understand and love this part of you.... because she'd feel the same if it were happening to her.
I wish you vibrant memories that make you smile and want more!
bullie | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 3:22:55 PM |
OP,
I had two german shepard brother and sister. As of December 29 I only have one.
I lost the male he passed in his sleep 12 years old.
Did it hurt...ya, it still does.
Still have the female and find myself spoiling her a little more then I ever did. Go figure.
The male shepard was my best four legged friend. He was my mate and we got them both as pups. Raised them, trained them. We spent a little over $6,000.00 on specialized training for him as I took him to work with me for 7 years. He literally saved my life twice during this time frame. When we retired him from service it broke my heart a little. I found myself talking to him while driving and he wasn't even there...
He weighed 128 lbs and was the traditional black/tan colouring. He had the biggest paws I have ever seen on a shepard. Pics of him are on my profile if you care to view.
We got him cremated and his ashes are sitting on my desk at home (big desk). I saw him one time take a regulation size basket ball in his mouth and pop the thing. I know that there will never be another dog like him and ya I miss him something bad. We have gone to look at a male shepard that our vet had taken custody of but...the hurt is still to fresh.
Give yourself time to heal before getting another four legged friend. If you should find a lady her on POF that has a dog all the better, just remember that it is her dog mate.
Kipper had shepherd, retriever, and what looked like a bit of some wolf in him. He's on my profile if you want to take a look. It IS too soon to find a replacement for him. I would almost feel like I was cheating his memory if I did that. That dog thought as much of me as I did/do HIM. It would'nt be fair to him OR a new dog if I did it THIS soon. Finding a lady friend with a dog would be awesome. Kipper was my neighbor's dog but those that know me AND him knew he was MY dog. I'm sorry for your loss. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 3:29:13 PM |
No OP, your feelings are real and genuine and show a depth of love most would be blessed to have.
I raised two bulldogs for almost 12 years. I lost my male in May of 2006 and my female this past May. May sucks now....
I get the pain you're experiencing and also understand you're not ready to visit a humane society yet. Hell, I'm STILL not ready. I well up just thinking of my babies.....
All I can say is to be gentle with yourself during this grieving process, for it's as real as if you'd lost a two legged friend. And know too that the "right" woman for you will understand and love this part of you.... because she'd feel the same if it were happening to her.
I wish you vibrant memories that make you smile and want more!
Oh, there's PLENTY of vibrant memories that I'll always have of that dog. There isn't anything right now that doesn't remind me of him. He and I spend 2 summers on my front deck at night. I had some tunes going and he would sit right beside me. Summer might suck for me now. There's a pretty big whole there now... | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 3:59:24 PM | | OP, they are never just dogs. They are our friends and more often than not our family. I am sorry for your loss and no you do not sound wimpy. You sound like a kind caring man who provided love for an animal that wasn't even yours. You have a good heart. You need to get your own pooch, it will be one lucky dog. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 4:27:34 PM | | heck no you're not a wimp.I have 4 Dobermans.My life would be devoid of joy without them.You should read "Rescuing Sprite" by Mark Levin....You will completely understand the bond between people and dogs.Yes get a dog,or a girlfriend that has one.Or both | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 4:35:46 PM |
OP, they are never just dogs. They are our friends and more often than not our family. I am sorry for your loss and no you do not sound wimpy. You sound like a kind caring man who provided love for an animal that wasn't even yours. You have a good heart. You need to get your own pooch, it will be one lucky dog.
A buddy of mine (who is JUST as broken up about this as I am) said that Kipper had the same kind of heart and soul that I do and THAT is what made us bond. You've just never seen anything like it. There was an instant bond there when I moved out in this neck of the woods in 5/05. There's 2 and a half years there of one of THE best friendships that a guy could ever ask OR hope for. I think we considered each other family. I DO have a good heart and right now, it's broken. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 4:36:16 PM | Sorry to hear about Kipper, but I understand. I will be equally sad when my friend leaves me. His name is Blue, since he has 1 eye thats half blue half brown, and one eye thats half white, and half blue. Had him since he was a puppy and he is the most loyal friend I could ever ask for. I also understand about the "Even make a sh!tty day seem not so bad" kinda thing. I can only imagine how harsh this world would be without pets. I can also imagine how awesome this world would be if we treated each other half as good as our pets treat us.
My Condolences. | |
|
| The Truth About Guys & Dogs
Posted: 2/10/2008 4:39:11 PM |
heck no you're not a wimp.I have 4 Dobermans.My life would be devoid of joy without them.You should read "Rescuing Sprite" by Mark Levin....You will completely understand the bond between people and dogs.Yes get a dog,or a girlfriend that has one.Or both
I'm working on the girlfriend factor in this. A friend actually suggested that I should read that book and "Marley & Me." | |
|
Home
login 
