May 2008
Best Friends
Champ's last hunting season 2006.
Don't cry because it's over.Smile because it happened.
-Theodor Geisel
Reality didn't set in until Chuck made it through the door with just Champ's collar in hand... but no Champ. While these last few days have been hard, it's been nice to look at pictures and talk about all the memories we had with him. We realized there wasn't one person who had met Champ, that didn't love him and think he wasn't the greatest dog and Chuck is so very proud of that. Champ was 'his' and he was Champ's... We miss his eyes... those gentle brown eyes that could melt your heart. I miss seeing him coming up the side walk, with his tail wagging so hard his butt shook. Chuck sees him in every place in the yard... every place we look there's a memory we have of him. I told Chuck how lucky he was to help bring him in the world and how lucky he was to help him pass away. Chuck somehow knew he wouldn't live to be terribly old..... he's said that since I've known him. I got almost 7 wonderful years, Chuck had 11 years he wouldn't trade for anything... he would have been 11 on July 22. Life at home just isn't the same.... Chuck is taking it really hard and he's hurting terribly, which hurts me to see.... Champ was Chuck's best friend. I'm doing better than I thought, I have my moments where I think of him and just lose it, but I'm at peace knowing Champ is well again and watching over us and that makes me happy....
He's had been on my mind constantly for the last 2 months since we found out he was sick. I found myself these last 2 weeks or so, terribly worried he wasn't downstairs, that somehow he was still outside and alone. I would check on him 4-5 times in the evening before I went to bed, making sure he was still down there and every time I would go down there I would pet him and tell him how much I loved him. I did it the night before he died. I went down there right before I went to bed making sure he was ok. We had a terrible wind storm that night and a large tree beside the garage fell down. As I put Champ on the lead that morning, I saw the tree. I think the falling of the tree was a sign from God... something large in our life is falling and would make us fall to our knees. Chuck made a comment that the yard doesn't look the same... just as with the tree, life without Champ is not the same.
Chuck wonders if we didn't do this soon enough, that we let him suffer for too long... I don't want any regrets. We tried and we loved and we will always remember. He will be the dog we compare every other one to. I think people who aren't dog lovers, think we're crazy for being this upset... we really truly love everyone of our dogs like they are a part of the family.
I came home last night and pulled up in the drive way and I usually count... 1, 2,3,4... only there wasn't 4 to count in the kennel, and as I'm doing this I'm opening up a card from the vet. I was expecting just a 'sorry for you loss card', but inside the card they had a piece of paper with a stamped print of Champ's paw... and I just lost it...
We'll have an autopsy done just find out for sure what was wrong with him. The vet thought he might have had liver cancer, too because of the ulcers in his mouth and the fact the fluid in his lungs never subsided even on the pills he was on. We'll have his ashes spread out west in the fall where Chuck goes hunting... their favorite place together and we'll bring Raven with, too who left us 2 years ago July 7. It's a place she never had a chance to go to while alive, but would have loved also.
Chuck is planning on getting a tattoo of Champ on his chest on the right side... the side he was always on. Chuck decided it'll be a picture we have of him, with the sun setting behind and possibly a pheasant in the background as well. It'll say 'Gone But Never Forgotten' on the top and 'Champion' written along the bottom. I thought he should get a tattoo over his heart of the paw print the vet gave us... he just might.
While this post was meant to be short, it just couldn't be. There's just too much to say and so much more I could write... So, this is for you Champ.... while we want you back in the worst way, I know you'll always be with us... we'll take care of your girl, and she'll make you proud this fall. We will always remember and we know how incredibly lucky we were to have you in our lives and call you our dog. WE LOVE YOU, CHAMP. From a card we received from a friend... God needs good hunting dogs in heaven, too. So... in Chuck's words, Go hunt 'em up, Champ... find the birds.....
He's had been on my mind constantly for the last 2 months since we found out he was sick. I found myself these last 2 weeks or so, terribly worried he wasn't downstairs, that somehow he was still outside and alone. I would check on him 4-5 times in the evening before I went to bed, making sure he was still down there and every time I would go down there I would pet him and tell him how much I loved him. I did it the night before he died. I went down there right before I went to bed making sure he was ok. We had a terrible wind storm that night and a large tree beside the garage fell down. As I put Champ on the lead that morning, I saw the tree. I think the falling of the tree was a sign from God... something large in our life is falling and would make us fall to our knees. Chuck made a comment that the yard doesn't look the same... just as with the tree, life without Champ is not the same.
Chuck wonders if we didn't do this soon enough, that we let him suffer for too long... I don't want any regrets. We tried and we loved and we will always remember. He will be the dog we compare every other one to. I think people who aren't dog lovers, think we're crazy for being this upset... we really truly love everyone of our dogs like they are a part of the family.
I came home last night and pulled up in the drive way and I usually count... 1, 2,3,4... only there wasn't 4 to count in the kennel, and as I'm doing this I'm opening up a card from the vet. I was expecting just a 'sorry for you loss card', but inside the card they had a piece of paper with a stamped print of Champ's paw... and I just lost it...
We'll have an autopsy done just find out for sure what was wrong with him. The vet thought he might have had liver cancer, too because of the ulcers in his mouth and the fact the fluid in his lungs never subsided even on the pills he was on. We'll have his ashes spread out west in the fall where Chuck goes hunting... their favorite place together and we'll bring Raven with, too who left us 2 years ago July 7. It's a place she never had a chance to go to while alive, but would have loved also.
Chuck is planning on getting a tattoo of Champ on his chest on the right side... the side he was always on. Chuck decided it'll be a picture we have of him, with the sun setting behind and possibly a pheasant in the background as well. It'll say 'Gone But Never Forgotten' on the top and 'Champion' written along the bottom. I thought he should get a tattoo over his heart of the paw print the vet gave us... he just might.
While this post was meant to be short, it just couldn't be. There's just too much to say and so much more I could write... So, this is for you Champ.... while we want you back in the worst way, I know you'll always be with us... we'll take care of your girl, and she'll make you proud this fall. We will always remember and we know how incredibly lucky we were to have you in our lives and call you our dog. WE LOVE YOU, CHAMP. From a card we received from a friend... God needs good hunting dogs in heaven, too. So... in Chuck's words, Go hunt 'em up, Champ... find the birds.....
IN LOVING MEMORY OF SIR CHAMPION V
Look not where I was for I am not there
My spirit is free I am everywhere
In the air that you breathe
In the sounds that you here
Don't cry for me
My spirit is near
I'll watch for you
From the other side
I'll be the one running
New friends by my side
Smile at my memory
Remember in your heart
This isn't the end
It's a brand new start
My spirit is free I am everywhere
In the air that you breathe
In the sounds that you here
Don't cry for me
My spirit is near
I'll watch for you
From the other side
I'll be the one running
New friends by my side
Smile at my memory
Remember in your heart
This isn't the end
It's a brand new start
2 comments:
Ohh that is a really beautiful entry! You made me cry! I am proud to have known Champ!
You made me cry and I NEVER cry on any of the blogs I read. This is really beautifuly written. i never really spent much time with Champ but the time I did get to spend I can understand why you are hurting so much. Thank you for the wonderful tribute to a wonderful dog!
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