Tribute to A Dog’sLife
I’ve been absent from my blog for almost two months. Some of those weeks were because I was working to meet a deadline while at the same time studying hard for my college math finals (hey, I got an A in math and turned in the book on time!). But some of those weeks, as friends on Facebook know already, were because I was grieving the loss of my precious dog, Poppet.
I have mourned the loss of many pets over the course of my life. But for some reason, this one hit me extra hard. Poppet was special to me somehow. I think the suddenness of her death, even though I knew she had some health issues, contributed to the pain of it. It hurt so bad that I wondered if I would want to get another pet ever, just because I wanted to avoid hurting the same way again. Those first weeks were tough. One day, when the lawn care providers came, I burst into tears at the sound of the lawnmower because it reminded me that I hadn’t had to clean up poop in the backyard. It wasn’t even a task I’d liked! But it reminded me that she wasn’t with me.
Back in 2003, I knew that I wanted to add to my family pets with a small dog who could be with me in my office while I worked. I had two 60 pound dogs (a border collie and a sheltie) who spent more time outdoors than indoors. On Thanksgiving Day, I happened to catch the National Dog Show while cooking dinner. That’s when I saw my first Papillon. It was love at first sight. I raced to my computer and began researching. In December I found a reputable breeder in South Dakota. On December 30, 2003, Poppet was born. She and I flew home together nine weeks later (I was a very popular passenger, both on the plane and in the Denver airport).
Poppet was just the cutest thing ever. She was totally the alpha dog, even as a puppy, forcing Misty and Tiko to submit to her will. And she was with me through some major life events, including but not limited to selling one home and moving to another, the death of my mom, a shattered ankle that was non-weight-bearing for three months, and cancer surgery and treatment.
Eventually, she had her own Facebook page and entertained many of my readers and friends with her comments, especially those snarky ones about the cat, Pinky.
Last year, Poppet was diagnosed with tracheal collapse. And earlier this year, I was told she had a heart murmur. You wouldn’t have known she had any issues by the way she behaved. She continued running and jumping and hopping right up to the end. (She was famous in the neighborhood for the way she could “pop” about four feet straight up in the air.)
On the day of her death (April 18, 2017), she had two seizures that were caused by an enlarged heart. The second seizure happened while I was at the vet’s, and I knew then that I had to let her go. So I held her in my arms as I said goodbye and watched her cross the rainbow bridge.
I think the Bible gives us some reason to believe that we may see our beloved pets again on the New Earth, and whether or not that proves to be true, I still find comfort in imagining Poppet in heaven with my mom, the way the two of them used to be here on earth, Poppet nestled between Mom’s hip and the arm of the chair.
I mentioned above that I wondered if I would ever again risk my heart to a new pet. But the day came when I found myself visiting some Papillon sites. And somehow, the anticipation of getting a puppy began to heal some of the hurt I was experiencing over the loss of Poppet.
In fact, it seems a tribute to what a special friend Poppet was that I want and need to fill that empty space with another puppy.
And so I would like to introduce you to … Boo Bear Hatcher … my new Papillon puppy. She will come to live with me in less than six weeks (which still feels like a very long time to wait). Boo Bear is black and white now but has potential to become a tri-color since her mom is black and white and her dad is sable and white. I won’t know for sure for a few more weeks and don’t care if she stays B&W or if she becomes a tri. Either way she has already won me over.
I am currently reading Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution as well as watching his many videos on YouTube, plus making a list of all the puppy supplies I must buy (dog pen, smaller crate, new puppy toys, electric cord covers, puppy harness, training treats, clicker, etc.). How can something that little need so much stuff!?!? LOL!
I’m so thankful to God for giving us pets to enrich our lives. And as much as I love Pinky and have loved all our cats that came before, they tend to be much more independent. They allow us the honor of being in their presence, so to speak. <g>
I think God gave us dogs to learn a thing or two about unconditional and extravagant love. No matter how much I’ve messed up in my life (and even with them), my dogs have always loved me unconditionally and extravagantly. May I learn to love people the same way.
~robin
I’m sorry. But glad you have a new joy. Ours is a mini schnauzer named Bernie. Blessings kc
Hello to Bernie!! And thanks.
I cried while reading this. Just as I cried when you posted it on Facebook. You’re right, she was special! I believe as you do…our pets are in heaven, waiting for us. I can picture the reunion your Mom and Poppet had that day. I feel that Boo Bear will help heal your heart. Remember the good times with Poppet as you cherish new memories with your new fur baby. Btw…I can’t wait to see what Pinky has to say about Boo Bear āŗ Perhaps she’ll need to document it on her own Facebook page!
Hugs,
Krista Labrensz
Thanks! As for Pinky, I’ve been telling her that trouble is coming, but I don’t think she understands yet. š But she soon will. Poppet attacked Pinky so often when she was a kitten, and yet Pinky always tried to be friends with her right up to the end. She wanted to play, but Poppet would have none of it. So I am hopeful that she can train Boo Bear to be a friend.
I can so relate. After losing a very sick fur-baby it was so lonely I started my research. Lesson learned, big difference between a sick 13 year-old and a rip-roaring 15 week-old. How much damage can a tiny toy poodle do! We have survived and love our little Missy so much. She doesn’t replace ’cause she has her own place. Happy for you. Blessings!
LOL! I am trying to prepare myself for quite a few weeks of interrupted sleep. At least I’ll be housebreaking during summer months instead of in snowy weather. Hello to Missy.
I’m so sorry for your lost. I never really wanted a dog but my husband have always wanted one since we got married. This year, we went to just “look” but came home with an 8 weekes old miniature schnauzer. We named her Gabby after the angel Gabriel from a sign we saw right after we left the breeders. I already loved her from the first moment she snuggled next to me at the breeders. I can’t imagine life without her.
I’m so happy for you and your husband for Boo Bear’s arrival.
Hello to Gabby. Love her name.
Sorry for your loss and congrats on the new one. The hardest one for me to loose was our Pug named Precious. Pug puppies are hard to find so we foster and adopted from the pug rescue.
Bless you for fostering and adopting.
Robin I’m so sorry to hear about your dog passing on. They are all special in their own way. I’ve lost quite a few in my life too. It hurts!!
Boo bear is so cute!!!! I’ve wanted a dog for the last twenty years, but my hubby says no that we’re going tow travel and it’s too hard. It’s been twenty years no dog, no travel. Bummer!!
Our last dog was a miniature Boston Terrior. Called Tinker Belle, she had a little bell on her collar. My Mom was blind and could hear her so that she wouldn’t get kicked.
Have you always had Pappilions?
No, I’d never even heard of or seen a Papillon until November of 2003. Poppet was our first, but made us lovers of the breed.
oh robin, so many words and i can’t find the right ones to say, just {{{{{HUGZ}}}}} i, too, have had one pet (my Lovey Boy, a black cat incidentally named Pinky) whose death nine years ago devastated me.
Can’t wait for little Boo to perk up your home and your office again, and begin to fill the voids left by your precious little Poppet.
Thanks so much, Robin. Did I know that you also had a black cat named Pinky? If so, I’d forgotten. Obviously we have a name thing going on, one Robin to another.
Hi…Robin, so sorry about your loss of poppet..I lost my pomeranian Max last august due to heart and kidney issues. It is truly a heart and gut wrenching experience. When Max died at 15, I was fortunate in that I had 2 dogs.My sweet Peanut who is a Yorkie-Poo was comfort to us however each dog has it’s own personality like people do so you don’t replace them but another pet does help heal the hurt.So happy to hear about your new Papillon Boo Bear.Please post pictures of him on your blog.
Diana, you are so right. Each of our pets is unique and loved for themselves. Sorry about Max and glad you still have Peanut.
We recently lost our cat Petunia who was 17 1/2 years old and diabetic for 4 years.Dhe had severe arthritis and was nearly blind from cataracts.She was my husband’s baby for the entire time we had her but she came to me a lot after her diabetes diagnosis.It has been very hard being without her little demanding diva self.I am about ready for another cat but my husband is not so we will wait.We still have three big male cats that we dearly love 2 are my cats one is Bill’s but they all love Bill. I am so glad you will be getting a new pup to fill that empty hole in your heart.
“Little demanding diva self.” I love that. Sorry for your loss. She lived a long time. As for “they all love Bill” comment. I so relate. Poppet was my baby, but all of our pets have been devoted to Jerry.
Robin, this is a lovely tribute to Poppet! I still miss my Happy. I lost him to cancer on Veteran’s Day 2013. I’ve left it up to the Lord whether or not I am to have another fur baby.
May the wait for Boo Bear be quick. ((((HUGS))))
I’m not sure we ever stop missing them. My memory is full of so many sweet animals.
Congratulations on moving forward! My husband and I went through something similar with Isaiah. 3 years ago we had to put him to sleep because he was, well, 18 years old and could no longer see or hear. He would walk around bumping into things and our hearts would break. When he could no longer even find his food dish or the right place to potty, we felt he had suffered more than enough. What a š breaking time that was. Our 12 year old granddaughter came to live with us and she kept asking for a dog… Well, one day we decided we would just go ‘look’. Hahaha! You know how God works! We went to one place but the right one just wasn’t there. So we went to the humane society and guess what? Buddy (Henry was his name there, but that just didn’t fit) was waiting for us! As we visited in the little ‘get to know you’ room, Buddy jumped up and cuddled with grandpa. That’s all it took to seal the deal! Every dog I’ve ever had has been ‘better’ than the one before, and Buddy is just that. What a healer of heartache, a joy and laughter bringer! God is truly amazing: once again we give Him all the glory!
So thankful you found Buddy. And once you are ready for a new dog, I’m not sure you can “look” and not “find.” Or at least, that seems hard to do.
I absolutely love papillons! We had one named Hillarie. Had her for nine years until we found out our granddaughter was allergic to dogs. Sadly we gave her away to a family from our church. Our granddaughter, which we kept before she started school, would go,home with watery eyes and runny nose. Had no idea she was allergic until her mother had her tested.
I still love the breed and am so happy for you and your husband!
Hillarie has a Facebook page if you want to see her picture. We never ask the family about her because we don’t want to know if she’s passed away or not.
Look up Hillarie Hollingsworth on Facebook!
I believe our pets go to heaven. A man (Dean Braxton) died, went to heaven & came back. He said you are met by your relatives 1st, then friends & then your pets! Said it went against all his theological thinking. God loves us & our pets!
I agree that God loves us and our pets. All creation, for that matter.
Awwww….I am so sorry for your loss! I believe that we will see our pets in heaven–The Bible talks about horses in heaven, so why not our dogs & other pets? Hugs to you!
Thanks, Barb.
I grieve with you, Robin, because I know that incomparable heartache. But even though you will never stop missing Poppet, little Boo will fill your heart with joy, and that is a tribute to Poppet. š Puppy training–what fun! But having a warm lap and someone to talk to is wonderful.
I truly believe that God created dogs so we could have an example of his love. How many times I have wished my dogs could talk! But they speak to me so much . . . without saying a word.
Be sure to post lots of pictures of Boo! Love to both of you!
Angie
Thanks, Angie. I will definitely be posting lots of photos. And I can hardly wait to lay on the sofa while she sleeps on my chest. Or write while she sleeps on my lap. Or tumble around the floor with her.