Saturday, April 5, 2008

Oliver

We brought Oliver home almost 17 years ago. A Christmas present for our then 6 year old son. Oliver was a red toy poodle of questionable parentage. He was friendly and athletic and so good with kids that he was the perfect companion for a gentle boy. He went everywhere with us and had many adventures and just as many close calls. We used to say he had 9 lives. He has been attacked by a wild pony. Had his ear pierced by an angry raccoon. Fallen over the bank and caught in a tree. He has driven the motor home, ridden on horses and motorcycles all the while looking stylish in his fancy red coat.
It is hard to remember that Oliver because in the last few years he hasn't looked so good. Too fragile to keep well groomed he looked like a little sheepdog. His hearing was bad, he couldn't see much and had accidents all over the house and was reduced to wearing a diaper. Every time I thought it was time to put him down he would rally and show a glimpse of his former self putting off the inevitable for a little while longer. What a hard decision to end a life. But in the end we took him in and said good bye. As hard as it was I wasn't really that sad. This dog had never known a day of want or suffering. He was the cherished companion of a family that treated him like a king. We all should be so lucky to have a life like that.
God Speed Oliver

8 comments:

Country Girl said...

My heart goes out to you. We have a black lab that is almost 15 and I am afraid that day is very near.

goatgirl said...

Thank you country girl. You have done very well to get a lab to 15. They are such a huge part of our lives for so many years. I still feel Oliver's presence.
Thanks for visiting!

sugarcreekstuff said...

I'm thinking of you. Sounds like Oliver was lucky to have you as much as you were lucky to have him.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about Oliver. Although it sounds like he had a wonderful life, I'm sure he'll be missed all the same.

Marigold said...

It is always hard and we are never ready. Big hugs to you and yours... And wings to Oliver.

Anonymous said...

I know it is hard to loose a friend. It is wonderful Oliver had such a loving home and family for 17 years.
He sure had some adventures. Driving motor homes, riding horses, and motorcycles.
I know he will be missed. I know from experience that your son is missing him terribly also. My heart goes out to you all.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, but I know what you mean about not particularly feeling very sad about saying goodbye.

Sometimes 'it's just time', and there's a sense of peace about it, knowing that you've given your dog the best life possible and that you have the responsibility and love to release your canine family member from it's bondage to this earth and any pain or suffering.

What a sense of relief it can be.

We had to say goodbye to our two old dogs over 10 years ago. They were both over 14 yrs old and were suffering a myriad of old age symptoms and health issues.

They would do things similar to your Oliver and we'd be relucatant to take the dogs in for euthansia, but finally realized that any brief moments of 'normalcy' were just that, 'brief.

Then came the peace, even though there is still the sadness over the memories, just as you are feeling.


Sending you big hugs....

God Speed, Oliver....

goatgirl said...

Thank you for all your kind words and thoughts. It has been a week and I still look for him to let him out and in. At feeding time I always start to go over to his dish to feed him even though it is no longer there. 17 years of caring for him doesn't go away over night.
Thank you my new friends.