DuckSouth.com

Yesterday evening was a tough one around the house. The story starts a few weeks ago when my 10 year old daughter asked for a puppy for Christmas. She stated she wanted it to stay small, be fluffy, and I couldn’t train it to hunt anything. I’m not an indoor lap dog person but I couldn’t say no to my little girl. I located some miniature Spitz’s locally and decided I would see if she wanted one of those. My wife had one of these when we married and I knew they made good family dogs. Besides that, it met the small and fluffy requirements. I took my daughter with me to see them and it was love at first sight. There was only one female left and, even though it was a couple weeks before Christmas, we bought it and took it home. My daughter named her “Penny”. Penny was a sweet and energetic little pup. She always wanted to play and was very affectionate. Any of you that have dogs know how they will choose someone in the household to latch on to. I don’t know why but Penny chose me. Then, something happened I didn’t think would, I got attached. When I would walk into the house she would always come running to see me. It kind of aggravated my daughter. I found myself looking forward to seeing Penny run up in the evenings. Well, Saturday morning we noticed something was wrong. Penny wasn’t energetic any more. All she wanted to do was lay around. My wife was very worried and found a vet clinic that was open and she and the kids took Penny to be looked at. The vet had bad news. Penny had a hole in her heart. The vet stated he had seen dogs a few years old with this but also stated she could go quickly. He wouldn’t say much but, from the way my wife described the look on his face, I knew it would be the latter. My daughter didn’t really understand at first. She just thought Penny was sick and would get better. Monday evening we sat her down and explained what was going on and she was devastated. Yesterday, we came home to find that Penny had gone to sleep for the last time. Again, my daughter took it hard as did everyone in the house. We had a funeral and Penny was laid to rest in her little bed with her favorite 2 toys and a card that my daughter made for her. I made the mistake of reading the card when my daughter finished it and I was crushed. I was hurting because my daughter was hurting and also because I had become attached to Penny as well.
It’s amazing what people can learn from different events and how things can change our perspective. I learned that a 2 pound, 11 week old puppy can break a 225 pound, 39 year old man’s heart. I have always been the strong one of the family. I’m the husband and the father so I have to be strong for everyone else. I’m not supposed to cry or show that type of emotion. That is supposed to be my strength. I have now decided that strength is indeed weakness and weakness in these instances is indeed strength. Paul wrote almost 2000 years ago, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” He knew what he was talking about.
My little girl wants another puppy. This shows me that, although we put ourselves in a position to be hurt later when we love, we choose to love again because the love outweighs and outlasts the hurt. If we aren’t willing to hurt at some point, we will never become close to anyone or anything.
I already knew but it hadn’t hit home lately, life is short at best. The sudden death of someone close or even a pet that is supposed to be around for years to come has a way of slapping you in the face and giving you a wake up call. Live every moment, cherish the ones close to you, take nothing for granted.
Sorry for rambling on guys. It was a long evening around the house. I guess I’m getting old and feel the need to get things off my chest. I'll get back to my rambling, babbling, goofy self soon. Driveby

Prayers for you and the family. Although nothing will bring Penny back, I am a firm believer in that the only thing that will ease the pain of the loss of a pet is another puppy.

Prayers for you and the family. Although nothing will bring Penny back, I am a firm believer in that the only thing that will ease the pain of the loss of a pet is another puppy.

Hate to hear that man, that is tough for all involved. You sure can get attached to those little buggers pretty quick..tell her to hang in there, it will get better.

Will be thinking about ya'll. You hit the nail on the head, our weakness is our strength, when we turn to God. We are only strong when we put our weaknesses on God. He carries us all through. Now go get that girl another dog!!!!!!

Sorry to hear that. My wife has one of those little Pomeranians, and I know if anything happened to it, as much as that dog irritates me, we'd all be crushed. Give your daughter some time, and get her a new one. It won't replace Penny, but will help her move on.

God Bless.

sorry for your loss, I would call the breeder and see if they offer you any money back.

Tough one for sure..

So sorry for your loss. I agree with several others, get her another one quick.

Man... Sorry to hear that buddy... Prayers sent to y'all...

I have buried 2 of the best dogs I ever owned in the last month. The last one just 5 days ago. It was tough. I can relate to your grief and I am sorry you and your family had to endure the pain. My 13yr old daughter has cried and cried. Tough on an old man like me.
However we did get a new puppy yesterday, it is 1/2 Black Mouth Cur and 1/2 Catahoula Cur. Great farm dogs and I have the number if anyone needs one. There are 3 left.
I did not mean to steal this thread but I started writing and could not quit.

Dogs are the best.

I have 3, one named Pace i am especially fond of. bought her my freshmen year of college and she has moved with me 6 times now. she is bout 8 years old now and i i know one day she will be gone and i always get that lump in my throat when i think about it. Nothing like having an animal that is your friend, even though they cant smile you can all ways tell they are happy to see you.


Gods blessed us with some cool critters.


JD

That right there just sucks Jerry. I'm sure you can find another pup to help fill in the empty spot.

(If not, get another goat.)

Thanks guys, even you Splash_Em. Remind me to ask your dad what went wrong when you were a child. Give me a call when you're going to be back over at the club.
I talked to the breeder and his wife Sunday, before Penny passed. They are an elderly couple and are some of the nicest people you would want to meet. It upset the gentlemans wife as well when I told them what was going on. As luck would have it, he had another litter born that morning to another female but there was only 2 of them. One of them will be ours in 6 weeks. I told my daughter about it last night. It just so happens that 6 weeks will be exactly Valentines Day. My daughter liked the idea of a Valentines Day pup very much.