by HeySal
59 replies
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Ricky died peacefully in his own bed early today.

He was a very special boy. My rescue pup. We had a great run of it. He was 16 years old - 112 in people years.

I'm gonna miss my little guy.



Goodbye friend. See ya on the other side.
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Sorry to hear that Sal.

    "All dogs go to Heaven."
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  • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
    My heart goes out to you Sal!

    I'm so sorry to hear this, girl, but hear Ricky say...


    To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
    For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
    For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
    For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

    I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

    Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.

    I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

    I await the arrival of my lifelong companion and know that togetherness is forever.
    You live in my heart as I do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.

    Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as I am.

    Author ~ Ken D. Conover


    Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    I am sorry for your loss. I know that Ricky was special. From a distance, I had a fondness for your dog, learning his story, seeing the photographs you shared. RIP, Ricky.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    What a beautiful piece, Terra.

    It's the way I feel, too. Ricky and I had a couple of years together that were purely reprieve - he should have been dead 3 years ago. We saw and did more in those 3 years than some do in a lifetime. I knew our time was borrowed from the get. I am sad, but not devastated. He was very old and getting tired. It was the right time. I knew it was near. The cancer was easy to destroy. Old age, though, I think maybe I will never conquer.

    All is as it should be. I am sad, but know he's okay wherever. He'll keep track of me until we meet again.

    I will miss him as I do all my boys. He was a wonderful guy and I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to spend his last years with him. What a gift he was.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Sorry to hear that Sal.
      You gave him a new lease on life and time he wouldn't of had without you.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      What a beautiful piece, Terra.

      It's the way I feel, too. Ricky and I had a couple of years together that were purely reprieve - he should have been dead 3 years ago. We saw and did more in those 3 years than some do in a lifetime. I knew our time was borrowed from the get. I am sad, but not devastated. He was very old and getting tired. It was the right time. I knew it was near. The cancer was easy to destroy. Old age, though, I think maybe I will never conquer.

      All is as it should be. I am sad, but know he's okay wherever. He'll keep track of me until we meet again.

      I will miss him as I do all my boys. He was a wonderful guy and I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to spend his last years with him. What a gift he was.
      It's kind of funny how things work...

      When I lost my best friend Snoopy, my dad gave me that piece handwritten on typing paper and laminated. I put it in my scrapbook that I had made of all of the pictures of Snoopy, eventually packed it away, and forgot all about it.

      Just a few days ago when I was looking for a particular picture of my daughter when she was little, I found that scrapbook in my tote where I have all of my kids' scrapbooks packed away. I looked through that scrapbook and rediscovered that poem.

      When I read it, it reminded me of you and Ricky, especially the aching joints part, but I never dreamed that I would be sharing it with you so soon.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    always sad to lose a good friend

    r i p ricky
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Yeah, I'm sorry to here he is gone. But people say a dog year of life is worth 7 in human terms. That said, you can expect a dog to die within about 17 years, so he lived about as long as one could expect.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    Wow. "Gradually and then Suddenly"

    I am so sorry for your loss Sal. You gave Ricky a good encore life and final curtain, and know you two shared many happy times.

    ... but still always sad to see a friend go.

    p.s.

    I can't wait to see who the next little 'guy' will be. Any ideas?
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Oh, I'm really very sorry to hear that, Sal.

      I know that you and he had been great friends, and that he was extremely lucky to have you (and I'm sure the converse was also true). Really, I'm very sorry for your loss, and I wish you well at this difficult and unpleasant time.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Very sorry for your loss Sal. I know pets are our friends.

      I think most people here know exactly how you feel, and we all share your grief.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Sal -

      I'm so sorry - I know how much you did to save Ricky a few years ago.

      You gave him fun and adventure and attention he'd never known in his life and made the last years the best ones. He passed quietly rather than in pain and fear - and that's due to the care and treatment you provided.


      We may not be together in the way we used to be,
      But we are still connected by a cord no one can see.

      When you need to find me, we're never far apart.
      Look beyond the rainbow and listen with your heart.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Not surprising to me, Terra. All things are connected.

    Steve - Ricky didn't HAVE 3 more years when I met him. Every day was a gift for us and we used it as such.

    Thom - what I just told Steve. Yeah - we made a good run of it. I really felt his last years were a gift for both of us.

    Thanks for your words everyone.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Steve - Ricky didn't HAVE 3 more years when I met him. Every day was a gift for us and we used it as such.
      Yeah, I know! Just SAYING...

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author joseph7384
    Sorry for your loss Sal, it must be heart breaking to have lost a great buddy such as Ricky.
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  • Profile picture of the author SShip
    Sorry for your loss Sal.

    Because of the happiness that you gave to Ricky, he was able to live longer than expected. He is now home and he will patiently await your reunion when the time is right.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Ricky will be cremated tomorrow.

    There was a place in the Ochoco Mountains that we used to go sometimes alone, sometimes with friends. It was a thunderegg dig. It was Ricky's favorite place on earth and it is where his ashes will be spread:

    This is the spot:


    This is the view:
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Aw dang . . . sorry to hear that Sal. You know I'm a dog lover too. Losing a dog is like losing a good friend. At least you had a lot of good times together. Until you meet again...
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    I'm very sorry for your loss, Sal. While all pets are special, some move above and beyond, touching us on an even deeper level. I've always had the feeling that Ricky reached that level for you.

    As one dog lover to another, thank you for giving Ricky a special home.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    My eyes teared up at the headline.

    Guess there's some real connection via here.

    My shelter rescue Husky lived almost four years longer
    than dogs with nose tumors usually live. Combo of
    his strength and NSAID and antibiotics that did not
    seem to bother him. Stoic dog. I had him 11 years.

    Very sorry to hear the news.

    Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

    Goodbye friend. See ya on the other side.
    "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
    ― Will Rogers

    Sal, so sorry to hear the news. My condolences. It's one of this world's injustices that dogs just don't live long enough.

    RIP Ricky.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Sal,no words I can say would convey how much I feel for you right now.
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    • Profile picture of the author Riptor
      Sorry for your loss Sal, I'm a doggy person too.
      16 is a great age for a dog and I am sure you both shared lots of good times which you will always cherish.
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    • Profile picture of the author LynnM
      We've followed your time with Ricky here, and know how deep a bond you shared. So sorry to hear your news.
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  • Profile picture of the author Angle Warrior
    So Sorry Sal,
    My Mom sent me this email today and if you don't mind I'll share it with you,

    Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month.

    The day after she passed away my4-year-old daughter Meredith was
    crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.

    She asked if we could write aletter to God so that when Abbeygot to
    heaven, God would recognize her.

    I told her that I thought that we could,so she dictated these words:

    Dear God,
    Will you please take care of my dog?
    Abbey died yesterday and is with you in heaven.
    I miss her very much.

    I 'm happy that you let me have heras my dog even though she got sick.
    I hope you will play with her.
    She likes to swim and play with balls.

    I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog.

    I really miss her.
    Love, Meredith


    We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey & Meredith,
    addressed it to God/Heaven.

    We put our return address on it.

    Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she
    said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven.
    That afternoon she dropped it intothe letter box at the post office.

    A few days later, she asked if Godhad gotten the letter yet.
    I told her that I thought He had.

    Yesterday, there was a packagewrapped in gold paper on our front porch
    addressed, 'To Meredith'in an unfamiliar hand.

    Meredith opened it.
    Inside was a book by Mr. Rogerscalled, 'When a Pet Dies.'

    Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God
    in its opened envelope.

    On the opposite page was thepicture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:


    Dear Meredith,

    Abbey arrived safely in heaven.Having the picture was a big help and I
    recognized her right away.

    Abbey isn't sick anymore.
    Her spirit is here with me justlike it stays in your heart.

    Abbey loved being your dog.

    Since we don't need our bodiesin heaven, I don't have any pockets to
    keep your picturein so I'm sending it back to you in this little book for
    you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

    Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your motherfor helping you
    write it and sending it to me.

    What a wonderful motheryou have. I picked her especially for you.

    I send my blessings everyday and remember that I love you very much.

    By the way, I'm easy to find.
    I am wherever there is love.

    Love,
    God

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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Sal,

      My soul aches for you. Someone I care for is hurting. Hurting because of the loss of a loved one.

      I appreciate that you shared this with us. We, your friends, are privileged to have shared in the relationship you had with Ricky. I am so sorry for your loss. I am so glad for the time you did have with Ricky.

      I wish I was a man of clever words. I would love to be able write something to comfort your soul. Alas, I am not such a man. But, maybe my friend IZ can help me out...


      All the best,

      Joe Mobley
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Apparently the forum thinks I am out of thanks now. I am not. I really appreciate the comments. It is actually much more comforting than I had expected. Thank you for taking time to remember him with me today. It really has made me feel much better.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    So sorry Sal. RIP Ricky
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
    Wow! Sal, I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

    Here's something from me to you about loosing a friend/pet. I've lost many to natural causes during my life and normally with in a couple of days after they have left I'll have a moment where I feel their presents for some reason(be it a rub against my leg or a sound they made when they were here prior). When that happens, I find a quite spot and just sit and remember them. The thoughts and memories always seem so realistic and vivid that it helps me to remember all the good and to adjust to the loss.

    Wishing you all the best,
    Try hard to - Have a Great Day!
    I'm sure Ricky wouldn't want you to have it any other way!
    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    I've been trying to think of what to say.
    But, as Kim said, there are no words that can express
    what I feel for you.
    I have 4 urns on a shelf: Buster, Belle, Annie, and Walker.
    "If there are no dogs in heaven, I don't want to go."
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Michael - I have a story about today myself.

    When my sister took Ricky home after realizing nobody was going to come after him to take him home, she was thinking he would make a great pal for the family dog that my niece had left with her when she moved out at 18.

    Mina was her name. She died a few months ago. Ricky was agitated that day, and finally my sister got word to me and I understood why.

    Anyway - this morning sometime just before Ricky left me, she sent me an email reply to our previous conversation. In it she mentioned that last night she had a dream about Mina - she had brought my sister a squirrel that seemed dead but revived when Mina put it down in front of her.

    She's going to freak when she gets home and gets my message. I'm glad to know she's come to help him get home, though. I've had some very vivid flashes of my own guys this last week and know that Rick isn't on his own til I get over there. He's got majorly great company until that time.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    So sorry for your loss. I sincerely dread the day when my girl goes home.

    I love the Will Rogers quote above. I believe they do.

    Hang in there.

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author Big Rob
    Sorry for your loss,Sal. Hope this helps:

    I know that you must miss me,
    By the tears rolling down your face.
    But believe me when I tell you that,
    I'm in a very good place.
    There are meadows here to run in,
    And plenty of rabbits to chase.
    There are other dogs to play with,
    To frolick with and race.
    So please don't worry about me,
    My spirit feels light as can be.
    There's no more pain to plague me,
    I'm young again and free.
    And I'll be watching over you still,
    of that you can be sure.
    I'm your canine guardian angel,
    And my love for you remains pure. -Author Unknown
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Sorry to hear the news Sal. I have two dogs and don't even want to think about them not being here, so I know how you feel.
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  • Profile picture of the author marketingva
    Sorry for your loss Sal. You will see Ricky again. I'm at one year exactly since I had to let go of my very sick 14 year old dachshund so I understand where you are at. I'll be thinking of you.

    Bonnie
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    So sorry about Ricky - but I know he had a very fine life there with you. 16 years is a long life for a dog - you must have treated him very well. - I have a 14 year old dog that is going blind. I know he doesn't have long left. I'm not looking forward to having to confront my kids when it happens. Praying that your heart recovers fast.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Still no thanks button - but I appreciate every post on here. This forum is bulging at the seams with people who have, and dearly love, animal friends, and I know each response is from the heart.

    As for the quote -- I really don't care where my guys have gone......that's where you'll find me when I leave this berg.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    Oh Sal....my heart aches for you.

    The world was a little brighter with Ricky in it and I will always remember your amazing stories about him.

    Lots of hugs to you!
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    • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
      Hugs to you, Sal. I've lost a few of my own best friends, too, and I know how sad it feels. Get a new rescue soon. He won't replace Ricky, but the distraction will help your heart heal.

      RIP Ricky!
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      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

        Hugs to you, Sal. I've lost a few of my own best friends, too, and I know how sad it feels. Get a new rescue soon. He won't replace Ricky, but the distraction will help your heart heal.

        RIP Ricky!

        Ricky isn't my first - and he was special because every day we had together was already a reprieve. He was as good as dead when I met him. For some reason, we were given time. Everything happens for a reason - I think I understand why he was in my life and why we were given time together. I'm sad, but I'm at peace with it.

        My next guy will be there when the time is meant to be. We'll know each other when we meet. It's always been that way. I already know his name. I just don't know when we'll meet yet.....when it's time, we will, though.
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        Sal
        When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
        Beyond the Path

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        • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
          Sal,

          I know it doesn't help, but 16 is almost double the usual age of a Rott when they pass, even without the challenges you and Ricky faced.

          Ya did good, lady. Ya did right by him, in every way that counts.

          If I might make a suggestion... Have you considered the notion of using your considerable writing skills to put together a "What you should think about before adopting a dog" guide?

          That would be a fitting memorial for a friend like Ricky.


          Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author David Maschke
          That empty space in the house and the added silence and stillness is the worst. Our pets at least deserve grieving when they pass for everything they give us.

          But still, I hope the next one comes quickly.
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          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            My next guy will be there when the time is meant to be. We'll know each other when we meet. It's always been that way.
            Ain't that the truth - my animals always come to me just that way, too.
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            Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
            ***
            One secret to happiness is to let every situation be
            what it is instead of what you think it should be.
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  • Profile picture of the author dazbiz
    Really sorry to hear your news.
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    Sal, I am very sorry to hear about this. You will need quite some time to get over it. I am sure Ricky misses you every bit as much.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Why is my thanks button still dead?

    Paul - life expectancy for a rottie is 10 years. We have no clue what he was mixed with. My sister found him in the winter of 2000. She took him to a couple of vets and they said he was the mature side of adult - 6 or 7. That has to be a mistake. It would have made my little guy doggie Methuselah. There's no way he was a 20 year old dog. When he started failing a bit early this year (starting to slow down and show some age), I thought he was getting just generally ill again and I worried about being able to do much for a 13 year old dog.

    I was talking to my sister about him and she said he was extremely old - reminded me she had him since the turn of the century and he was an adult dog when she picked him up. I didn't realize it was that long ago she got him. I thought around 2004, but it was my trip down in 2000 that I first saw him. I had Munchie when I first saw him and had my hands full - didn't pay attention to her dogs much.

    16 is my own estimate and, unlike the vets had thought, he would have been 2 or 3 when she got him - adult but young adult. There's no way I am paying final respects to an 18 - 20 year old dog. I can't buy that. He was an adult -- no questions, but he had to be a young one.

    Anyway - when Sue told me his age estimates, I knew there was a mistake - but we can count 13 of those years for certain and there's no mistake he was an adult dog when she got him, which means 3yrs old. He was old enough though, that I understood that we were running out of time and I wouldn't be fixing it this time. Yes. I did right by him.........some pure volition, some just happened to work out right when I took the chance. We just plain got lucky is what it boils down to.

    As far as an Ebook -- I have "Smart Beyond Obedience" in my sig file. It teaches people a little about dog sociology and how to teach your pup so he will understand you, not just a one word command. Dogs can understand a LOT of language. People have always been a bit taken back when I talk to my dogs and they see that they understand completely. It blows their "knows the tone of voice" crap excuses. Yeah they know tones - and smells - and words....and can string words together to a point. They've been domesticated for over a thousand years now and their brains now are developed toward our sociology a tad. That's your difference between "wild" and "domestic".

    I also have the ebook in my avatar - the pic is the one on my OP here. It's the story of meeting Ricky and healing his cancer -- "Saving Ricky: The Second Rescue".

    I'm not sure that I'll do another dog book. Maybe.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi Sal,

      Sorry to hear this. I remember discussing dogs with you a few years back in this forum. I think you had put Ricky's pic as your avatar and I commented how he looked like my old dog. Then when I saw more pictures I realised he was very different and at least four times the size and bodyweight of my little dog!

      Found it -

      http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...ml#post6704399

      My thoughts are with you at this time.
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      Roger Davis

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      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

        Hi Sal,

        Sorry to hear this. I remember discussing dogs with you a few years back in this forum. I think you had put Ricky's pic as your avatar and I commented how he looked like my old dog. Then when I saw more pictures I realised he was very different and at least four times the size and bodyweight of my little dog!

        Found it -

        http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...ml#post6704399

        My thoughts are with you at this time.
        He was strongly Rottie. He filled out a tad after his cancer was gone, and you could see he was mixed - smaller than a pure rot, but weighed in at around 80 lbs once he was over the cancer. Still - the markings are enough to make dogs appear more the same in pics than they might be standing side by side.
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        Sal
        When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
        Beyond the Path

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        • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
          Sal,

          I thought Rotts were 8-10. Mixed breeds tend to live longer, though. Still, for a dog that size, 16 is a long life.

          Anyone who doesn't think dogs understand language has never really tried to communicate with them.

          If I was carrying something that made it hard to step over him and he was in a doorway or whatever, I'd say, "Excuse me, buddy," and Bo would get up and move. He'd stand there looking at me until I said, "Thank you." Then he'd lay back down. If I forgot to say thank you, he'd get downright indignant.

          If I asked him if he wanted to go for a ride, he'd decide and do one of two things: Head for the door or lay down. If I asked him if he wanted to go for cheeseburgers, he'd immediately go stare at my keys. Every time.

          Couldn't drive past a Dairy Queen without him barking a request.


          Paul
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          • Profile picture of the author HeySal
            Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

            Sal,

            I thought Rotts were 8-10. Mixed breeds tend to live longer, though. Still, for a dog that size, 16 is a long life.

            Anyone who doesn't think dogs understand language has never really tried to communicate with them.

            If I was carrying something that made it hard to step over him and he was in a doorway or whatever, I'd say, "Excuse me, buddy," and Bo would get up and move. He'd stand there looking at me until I said, "Thank you." Then he'd lay back down. If I forgot to say thank you, he'd get downright indignant.

            If I asked him if he wanted to go for a ride, he'd decide and do one of two things: Head for the door or lay down. If I asked him if he wanted to go for cheeseburgers, he'd immediately go stare at my keys. Every time.

            Couldn't drive past a Dairy Queen without him barking a request.


            Paul
            I was taking a language acquisition class at U of M when I got my first dog. Figured the principles would work for a dog, too - they do. Dogs, I've found - at least the working breeds (I've never had another type) - have some very complex cognitive functions.

            For example, when Munchie was small we'd go hiking and at some point of the afternoon, I'd stop and look at him, look around at the sky, and tell him "we're losing daylight, we have to go." Then I'd turn and start heading back. By the time he was a few years old, he'd stop and look around, look at me, and turn and start heading back. His sense of time was a lot better than mine. We always got back to the car in time once he learned we needed to be at the car by dark. That's a lot more cognitive action than simply learning a word or phrase. They are far more intelligent than even some scientists seem to realize.

            Ricky was pretty old when I got him, and he had never really been trained. Even at his age, he learned a lot of language. My niece was surprised at the difference in him after he was with me almost a year. He was a totally different little person. She wondered why he would bark at me when he had something to say, yet had never barked at Sue. I told her simply -- nobody ever listened to him before. Not saying my sister neglected him, but she was a cat person and never ever really figured out that dogs were different from cats other than needing longer walks. If a dog learns that nobody listens to him when he talks, he's gonna figure there's nothing really to say.
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  • Profile picture of the author LarryC
    < I thought Rotts were 8-10. Mixed breeds tend to live longer, though. Still, for a dog that size, 16 is a long life. >

    That's true. I had a Siberian Husky who lived to be around 14 (wasn't sure of his exact age as he was adopted) and he basically died of old age. Still, it's hard to lose a faithful companion at any age, so I sympathize.
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  • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
    Oh Sal, I just saw this thread. I'm so sorry about your loss. I'm sitting here with tears, and now my nose is starting to run. Gotta' grab the Puffs box.

    Dogs really do love us, and as you well know, understand us. I'm glad to hear your gratitude about having your time with Ricky. It funny, I am always delighted whenever I read a story from someone who has had an NDE and gets to meet their 4-legged family members again.

    Don
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  • Profile picture of the author jacktackett
    Sorry for your loss Sal, our thoughts are with you and Ricky.
    --Jack
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Well, I was finally able to get at least one thanks to everyone who posted here. You guys are really awesome. This thread did more to make me feel at peace than anything else.

    Paul, btw, There's a dairy queen in Prineville, OR that I have always stopped at after a hunt out in Central OR. Both Munchie and Ricky got to know that Dairy Queen. If I went through that town without stopping on the way out, both of them reacted the same - noses pressed to the glass, a quick look at me like I was nuts and a frantic search out the window. There were a few times I was tired and forgot and actually had to turn around and go back for the ice cream because of the very loudly hurt feelings. Good grief, they are so much harder to distract than a little kid once they get their heads set on something. You can put any kid in this country in my car and I can make them miss the damned Dairy Queen.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Sal -

      The Dairy Queen comment triggers some fun memories for me of a sheltie (meagan) I had years ago.

      We used to stop at a Dairy Queen in Liberty, Indiana. When we walked back to the car Meagan would begin whirling in circles until we delivered HER ice cream cone.

      There was a stop light near the restaurant and if we were stopped, Meagan would stand at attention waiting to see if we were going for ice cream. If we drove on past the restaurant she would stare at the building and whine.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Seems to be a consensus here. Dogs LOVE ice cream.

    Ricky is in cremation now. I'm looking at the sky and it seems he might be spending the winter with mom. I don't think I can get up the mountain now. It's so quiet here. Too quiet, but I think the hard part is over.
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  • Profile picture of the author Audrey Harvey
    Sal, I'm so very sorry, there are no words :-( I know how much Ricky meant to you. Sending hugs your way from down here x
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Audrey Harvey View Post

      Sal, I'm so very sorry, there are no words :-( I know how much Ricky meant to you. Sending hugs your way from down here x
      Thanks Audrey. I've had several dogs now - and loved each of them immensely. I don't think, though, that I've ever had one that loved me like Ricky did. That dog thought I was God descended to him. I am so very, very grateful I got to hold and kiss him as he took his final breaths.
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