Dogs | BulgingButtons

March 10, 2017
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When a Dog Breaks Your Heart

Maybe it’s too soon. Maybe I shouldn’t write this. I can’t help it though. I have to. You see, early this morning my friend (who I love like a sister) had to say goodbye to her beloved dog. I know.

He was a beautiful dog. A stunning golden retriever, huge and smiling with massive paws and plumes of fur. He was a family dog, leaving behind my friend, her husband, and her two kids, one in high school, the other away at college. 17264811_10210450952442342_4921562558907777139_n

This dog.

He was beautiful.

He was clumsy.

He was sweet.

He was theirs, and they were his. His people. His family. His home and his life. And what a life he had. He was cherished. He lived well.

His passing is heartbreaking, for my friend, for her family, and for anyone who has ever loved a dog. Even a dog who wasn’t majestic. Even a dog who didn’t steal shoes from the front hallway. Even a dog that wasn’t named for an animated movie character.

For my dear friend, for her family, and for all of us who have had our lives enriched by a good dog, I am heartbroken.

You’re a good boy, Koda. You will be missed.

November 30, 2016
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Doggy Dreams

What do they dream about?

My Lila is asleep at my feet, and every now and then she lets out a long sigh.

Earlier she was making the most adorable sound, one that she only makes when she’s asleep. It’s not a cry or a whine or a woof, but sort of a hybrid of all three of those sounds. Clearly she’s thinking about SOMETHING when she’s doing that, but I’m not sure if it’s something good or bad.

Do dogs have nightmares? Are they afraid in their sleep? Do they see monsters and boogie men and lions and tigers and bears? Do they hear fireworks and thunder? Are they afraid of being abandoned?

Do they dream of hunting? Chasing down a rabbit or a squirrel? Do they dream about running on the beach and splashing in the surf? Or riding in the car with the window down and the wind flopping their ears? Do they dream of curling up on the couch next to their person at the end of the day?

I wish I knew what she dreams of. I hope it’s all good things. I never want that dog to feel fear or loneliness. She’s much too good of a companion for that.

November 29, 2016
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Runaway Roxy

I had the great pleasure of meeting an adorable older gal named Roxy recently. Roxy is a lovely steel grey miniature poodle with a sprinkling of white fur around her mouth, giving her a distinguished look.

The divine Miss Roxy came from our next door neighbors’ yard while we were all out festooning our properties with Christmas lights. I knew she wasn’t their dog, but they had company so I though she belonged to one of their guests. Well, Roxy kept on moving through our yard sniffing this and that and generally ignoring everyone.

A Roxy look-alike

By the time we determined that she didn’t belong to any of us, she was on her way to the next yard. She wasn’t rushing, exactly, but she wasn’t holding still either. We grabbed some of Lila’s treats and tried to coax her, but she was having none of that.

I didn’t want to run up to her, because I was afraid she would bolt, and then she might end up in the street and who knows what could become of her. She had a collar and tag, so we knew she was someone’s pet. At last I caught up to her and was able to scoop her up.

Lucky for me, she was friendly, but I was taking a chance. I was a little leery about getting to her tag, a dog bite is nothing to trifle with, but she allowed me to check it out so I called the number on her tag. No answer. I called the second number, also no answer.

We put her on the leash, where she walked like she owned the block. I figured the best thing to do was start walking back in the direction from where she came. Maybe she would lead me to her home. It was only at that point that I wondered what I would do with her if we didn’t find her home. Gulp.

It turned out that I didn’t need to worry. As soon as we got to the next block, the folks working on the lights on the corner house greeted her with enthusiasm. Between all the in and out while working on the house, they had lost track of little Roxy, and Roxy decided to take herself on an adventure.

I’m glad Roxy’s story had a happy ending. It all goes to prove that my sweetheart is right, given the chance, most dogs will head for the hills, even if they don’t know where the hills are.