Seven Dog Lives

It is easy to forget that in the main we die only seven times more slowly than our dogs. Jim Harrison (1937 - 2016) - The Road Home First Bobo, a cocker spaniel, I remember only from pictures. He ran way before we moved to Canada when I was four. Second Kizzie, a cockapoo, Mom got when the family moved to Texas. I only saw her on holidays and such as I stayed in Canada. She lived long and was with the folks when they retired to British Columbia and was into her teens before they put her down. Third Sadie, 3/4 Newfie - 1/4 Bernese, a big black dog, with a big appetite for apples from a special tree and the socks our daughter, a toddler cast off around the house. I still chuckle remembering the scattered remnants lining the farm lane that spring. She was over ten, and in pain when we put her down. Her ashes remain in an urn in the garage. Fourth Rizzo, a fencejump cross of Gordon Setter and Belgian Shepherd, my wife and daughter got him from a friend, while I was off on a canoe trip. A headstrong dog who would take off after a scent or car to return when he pleased. On leash, he'd almost pull you off your feet. With age, he grew territorial and after the third biting incident, I took him to the vet to be put down. But she gave him to an older lady with a fenced yard who put thirty pounds on him and he lived to fourteen or fifteen. Fifth Hailey, who was five when we got her from the shelter. A Border Collie - Shepherd cross and definitely our daughter's dog. She'd bounce foxlike through the fields and on evening beach walks, loved to fetch sticks we'd toss into the waves. She was over fifteen and failing when we put her down, days before our daughter's wedding. No urn this time. Sixth Xena, a Shepherd-Collie cross and beyond doubt a princess but more sweetheart than warrior. She has the canine equivalent of ADD and a bark first policy when something new appears and will retrieve sticks or balls until your arm falls off . At over eight, she's running strong. Seventh, Sam, a mostly Shepherd mix, she's our most 'rescue' rescue dog, smart, loyal and obedient a wantobe lap dog with a feral streak. She responds in kind to aggressive dogs and we muzzle her on walks. Now five she'll be with us for a good while to continue the tally.