Goodbye, Good Dog

It’s hard to lose a member of your family.  It doesn’t matter if the loved one has two or four legs, you still grieve.  This week we lost a loyal, honest, loving family member, our granddog, Louie.  My first pictures of him date from November of 2009 when he was a rangy pup, and continue through the years as he graced our lives. 

Louie never asked for much, but he gave plenty.  He gave his human mom, our daughter-in-law, Debi, a jogging partner and another dog to cherish after the loss of her beloved Molly.  He helped our grandchildren, Gage, Myles and Mallory through the rigors of their teenage years.  And he gave our son, Brian, comfort in the knowledge that he would be there to protect the family.  As far as I know, Louie never actually had to engage a threat, but his deep, fierce bark was certainly a deterrent.  

John and I treasured the times Louie spent his “vacation” with us while his family took trips he could not share.  He got along with the Bagley Pack in its various configurations, and especially loved going to the farm with its amazing variety of sights and scents.  

Louie was always happy, obedient and anxious to please.  Here are some of my other favorite photos of him.

I have shared before a piece entitled, “Loyalty,” printed below.  It deserves to be shared again.  If I needed to put a face on it, Louie would certainly fit the description.

“Loyalty”

God summoned a beast from the fields and He said, “Behold people created in My image. Therefore, adore them.  You shall protect them in the wilderness, shepherd their flocks, watch over their children, accompany them wherever they may go — even into civilization.  You shall be a companion, an ally, a slave.

“To do these,” God said, “I endow you with instincts uncommon to other beasts: faithfulness, devotion and understanding surpassing that of people.  Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death.  Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of people.  Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words.  Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of people with any other beast — or even people with other people.  Speak to your people only with your mind and through your honest eyes.

“Walk by their sides; sleep in their doorways; forage for them; ward off their enemies; carry their burdens; share their afflictions; love them and comfort them.  And in return for this, people will fulfill your needs and wants — which shall be only food, shelter and affection.

“So be silent, and be a friend to people.  Guide them along the way to this land that I have promised them.  This shall be your destiny and your immortality.”  So spoke the Lord.

And the dog heard and was content.

Author Unknown

Source:

Herding Dogs—Progressive Training 

by Virgil S. Holland

Farewell, Good Dog.  I am comforted to think that on your passing you were greeted by Lucky Dog, Feathers, Nickie and perhaps Jack and Rudy, and that all of you will be waiting to greet us as well when we say our goodbyes and travel on.

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