"Moosy Moo", We Will Miss You!
Several of my Active Rain friends have inquired over the past week or so where have I been in regards to posting here on Active Rain. As many of you may or may not know, I have been wrapping up studying for and successfully, finally, passing both portions of the Texas Real Estate Broker Exam. But that is for another post.
I have been trying in my head to put together a post that would do "Moose" justice, but I know in my heart that nothing will. If you are not a dog lover, you may not understand, so I apologize, but thank you for letting me express my emotions here. My wife and I have no children of our own right now, so until we do, our four doggies are our children. If you have a dog, you most likely understand what I'm talking about.
Life gives you victories, but then it wants something in return at the same time.....You see "Moose" or "Moosy Moo" as my wife Lynn and I like to call him, our black lab, health drastically decreased over the past week or so a lot more than we expected and something I never would wish on anyone to have to do personally, but I along with our veterinarian had to put him down last Sunday, 31 July, 2011. This was witin a few days of me taking my broker exam.
You don't realize how much of a void someone leaves in your life, whether they are a human or a pet, until they are gone, and you realize how much you miss them. It got me to thinking over this past week or so about how precious life really is and how we should all cherish the time we have with one another. Don't let the opportunity go by to tell someone how much you care about them, whether that is a loved one or a precious pet who you consider a family member like most of us pet lovers.
In order to pay tribute to "Moose", I thought I would share a poem or two with you that some of you may have heard before, along with some pictures that one of my dear friends here on ActiveRain, Kristine Ginsberg, helped me put together. (photos by me, collage work by Kristine) And going forward, to honor "Moose's" memory, I will start posting doggies that are being fostered at our doggie day care facility in Keller, Texas called Bark-n-Lounge.
"Moose" was a rescue and although he was in our lives for a short time, a little over three years, we think we gave him the best years of his life. There are so many great dogs available for adoption at your local pet shelter, just waiting for someone like you to come and rescue them. We don't live in Watauga, but the shelter linked here is the closet shelter in the Northeast Ft.Worth/Keller ISD area. All of our pack came from this shelter in a round about way. Please visit your local pet shelter before you go and spend money at some pet store or buy a dog on the side of the road. "Moose" was a full blooded black lab that we rescued a few years ago and he was one of the best dogs, if not the best tempermented dog I have ever had in my life. And there are many more like him just waiting to be rescued every day. We now also think he may have been several years older than we initially thought when we adopted him, but we are grateful for the time we had with him.
Things I Can Learn From a Dog
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Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
- When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
- Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
- Take naps and stretch before rising. (his sister Charlie is the queen of this)
- Run, romp and play daily. (his brother Clayton does this well)
- Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. (Moose was a master of this)
- Be loyal. (Have never met a more loyal dog, than Moose)
- Never pretend to be something you’re not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
- When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body. (like his brother Journey, okay "Mr. Wiggles")
- No matter how often you're scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.
- Bond with your pack.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. (or short one)
The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Eearth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
Author unknown...
Moosy Moo, thank you for the joy you brought into our lives in the time that we had you, you will be in our hearts and minds forever. There will only be one Moose in our minds!
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