Casper, the friendly dog
Like many young kids, when my oldest son was two he was terrified of dogs. He used to run away if one ever went near him, and if a dog barked at him, he cried for hours. There was only way to cure him of his phobia: we had to get a puppy.
So we ended up with an eleven week old bouncy golden Labrador who my son decided to call Casper, after the friendly ghost. From then on, boy and dog were inseparable. We went through months of boisterous slobbering and gruelling puppy training, and then just when we thought we were really getting somewhere, we hit The Chewy Stage.
Oh boy, was that fun. Nothing was immune to this dog’s teeth. Someone really should have told me never to buy a Labrador when you’re moving into a new house, as our dear young puppy systematically and thoroughly munched his way through the shiny brand-new kitchen of my dreams. Every single cupboard was ruined, all the lino on the floor was eaten and he even had a go at chewing the aluminium hob. We tried everything…rewards, scolding, pleading, ranting…even chilli sauce, which we heard was a completely foolproof method of stopping a puppy from munching everything in sight. But alas…it appeared we had the first Lab in the history of the world who had a thing for extra-hot chilli. Despite being liberally painted over my kitchen cabinets, this appeared to further stimulate his voracious appetite, and he munched even more wood, not less. The bright red sauce stained the pristine white cabinets too...major bummer.
Then one morning we woke up to a loud splintering sound. He had literally chewed his way through the kitchen door. I was in despair and totally at the end of my tether. I didn’t care how much my son loved his dog. That wretched animal had completely destroyed a £20,000 designer kitchen. It had to go.
Fast forward 11 years and that beautiful young puppy is sleeping peacefully at my feet this evening. He is old, blind, deaf and he has end-stage cancer. Despite their best efforts to save him, the vets have said there is nothing more they can do. The cancer has spread to his brain and he can no longer breathe. Tomorrow we have to do what is right for him and say goodbye. It is time.
No-one could have asked for a more faithful and loyal companion all these years. Words cannot express how much we will miss him.
Kitchens are replaceable, but a dog’s love is forever.
So we ended up with an eleven week old bouncy golden Labrador who my son decided to call Casper, after the friendly ghost. From then on, boy and dog were inseparable. We went through months of boisterous slobbering and gruelling puppy training, and then just when we thought we were really getting somewhere, we hit The Chewy Stage.
Oh boy, was that fun. Nothing was immune to this dog’s teeth. Someone really should have told me never to buy a Labrador when you’re moving into a new house, as our dear young puppy systematically and thoroughly munched his way through the shiny brand-new kitchen of my dreams. Every single cupboard was ruined, all the lino on the floor was eaten and he even had a go at chewing the aluminium hob. We tried everything…rewards, scolding, pleading, ranting…even chilli sauce, which we heard was a completely foolproof method of stopping a puppy from munching everything in sight. But alas…it appeared we had the first Lab in the history of the world who had a thing for extra-hot chilli. Despite being liberally painted over my kitchen cabinets, this appeared to further stimulate his voracious appetite, and he munched even more wood, not less. The bright red sauce stained the pristine white cabinets too...major bummer.
Then one morning we woke up to a loud splintering sound. He had literally chewed his way through the kitchen door. I was in despair and totally at the end of my tether. I didn’t care how much my son loved his dog. That wretched animal had completely destroyed a £20,000 designer kitchen. It had to go.
Fast forward 11 years and that beautiful young puppy is sleeping peacefully at my feet this evening. He is old, blind, deaf and he has end-stage cancer. Despite their best efforts to save him, the vets have said there is nothing more they can do. The cancer has spread to his brain and he can no longer breathe. Tomorrow we have to do what is right for him and say goodbye. It is time.
No-one could have asked for a more faithful and loyal companion all these years. Words cannot express how much we will miss him.
Kitchens are replaceable, but a dog’s love is forever.
Labels: family
posted by Lin at 11:18 AM
13 Comments:
I went through thirteen couches with one of my Labs, along with a hutch and the usual door frames and window sills.
I think the turmoil that they cause with our emotions bonds us even tighter in later years.
I will toast Casper this evening.
We still have the oak bookcase our first puppy chewed on, it was our first good piece of furniture, we'd saved for months for that. My wife held our puppy and cried about the damage. The "puppy" died about 8 years later of congestive heart failure and we still miss her - bookcase is in our living room with brown magic marker covering the chew marks, no way will they ever be repaired.
I will also toast Casper tonight.
I clicked on "leave a comment," then had to lean back to collect myself. Having been there ourselves all too recently, you have my deepest and most sincere sympathies. It is so true: they are the best of friends, even as they chew their way through your life.
Actually, we had chewing and old age in close proximity, since we cared for my daughter and daughter-in-law's chew-stage Boston Terrier not that long ago, too, and she managed to take out two desk handles and the corners of posts at the bottom of our back stairs. Fortunately, she did not attack anything else, since, like you, there was some pretty expensive woodwork in our kitchen.
I'm so pleased you had all those remaining years filled with good memories and friendship of a companion like no other that life offers.
We'll join the worldwide toast to Casper tonight.
My condolences on Casper, I’m sure he was a fine dog and a wonderful member of your family. I had a cat, Trouble who died a few years ago and to this day I remember her fondly. Best of luck going forwards.
Lin, I am so sorry for you. I believe we have soul-deep connections with our dogs, and it is unthinkable when we have to lose them so soon. He is just a beautiful dog whose charm shows in the photographs. Please give him some love for me. I'm with Stephen. It's hard to say much because it is so incredibly sad.
You have no idea the pain I feel for you, and how very sorry I am. I fear going thru the same thing in the next few years, and it will still be too soon.
My deepest condolences to you, Rich, and the kiddies.
We can't have kids, our puppies are our kids.
We had three kids but had to put two of them down within six months.
Our house is quieter but we still grieve from time to time. We miss the wags, the noise when we came home and waking in the morning to see each of our kids in their place.
I took a day before commenting because I didn't want to face it again but here is the truth I've found from the pain: we may or may not go to heaven but his heaven was with you. Animals don't act. His joy was real, every time, every day.
My heart breaks again but I just wanted you to know that many of us know what you're feeling right now. It eases but never passes.
And you're wonderful people for doing the difficult duty that a loving friend deserved.
With much love at a time like this,
Bob
I gave my Jack Russell, Jet, an extra stroke down the back in honor of Casper tonight.
Jet is a pain in the buttocks at times but I don't know what my 11 year old son would do without him. Jet lays on the rug in the bathroom while son takes a shower, lays back-to-back with son when he plays with toys on the floor and sleeps on the foot of son's bed every night.
One of son's worst fears is that something bad will happen to Jet and he won't be around to keep son company. Being that Jet is five as of last month, son should be well into college before we have to put Jet down or find him passed away in his sleep.
And Lin, I got away pretty easy compared to you. Jet has a toilet paper/tissue fetish when he gets nervous. We have had shreds of tissue EVERYWHERE around the house to clean up but he has generally not been destructive. If he had been destructive, I am quite sure that wifey would have put her foot down and the dog would be living in the farthest corner of the yard from the house, sharing a small doghouse with son if son wanted to spend time with him instead of dozing in his cage here in the living room on his nice, soft bed.
RIP, Casper.
Yesterday you made me laugh, now you make me weep... at Starbucks! Have you no shame, woman!
As animal lover's ourselves, Patty and I send our condolences.
Will
“a pet is never truly forgotten until it is no longer remembered."
Lacie Petitto
Sorry to see this news - I'm sure the memories will warm your hearts long after the stinging pain of loss fades.
D.L. Wood
I love those eyes, so sweet, there is a reason dog spelled backwards is so true..
I am so sorry to hear this. We are pet people (12 cats (11 of them rescued)..and a dog (he was rescued as well). We have been where you are many times..it's never easy.
You gave him a great life...there is a special place in heaven (or where ever you believe) for you and your family for caring for a pet (or pets).
sincerly
bt and mrs bt
i have four dog Couple and Each coupel have four puppies
so my house is full
regards
Qadisia
http://www.peachgallery.com/
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