Today we had to say goodbye to a friend...
After nearly 13 wonderful years of canine companionship, Kuma, who has been struggling with liver cancer for the past couple of months, has to be given his final rest today. raikawolf and I took him to a very kind, understanding local vet.
I've known a lot of dogs in my life. I don't want to compare them and say: "Best dog ever!" because that's not fair to the other dogs I have known and loved. But there is a gigantic, malamute-sized pawprint on my heart right now that's never going to go away.
I haven't forgotten Tippy or Sabrina, Bandit or Sis. I certainly won't forget Kuma.
I love him because of:
The way he sticks his ice-cold nose in my ear on weekends when I've slept too late.
The weird way he catches toys: by acting like he has no interest in catching the toy at all until I throw it, then, at the last second, whipping his head around and snatching it in the air, as if to say: "Ah ha! You didn't think I was paying attention!"
The amount of people who have met him and declared him a fine, beautiful dog, and the amount of people and conversations I've had simply by being around him.
His excitement over his toys, Pink Squeaky, Squeaky Beaver and Monkey.
Walking with him every evening, which is always the highlight of my day.
Him, as a puppy, figuring out "shake" and "other paw" and then just windmilling at me for treats.
The way he always played Dog Park Police and broke up fights.
Going on Raccoon Patrol with him outside before turning in to bed.
How, when hiking, he'd never go more than twenty feet in front of us, and if one of us slowed down, he'd always walk back to make sure we were okay.
Taking him every morning to "Chicken Snack Mountain"-- a hill in our yard where I'd give him a chicken snack and he'd pee and poop in the bushes.
Thanks for the memories, Kuma. We have a million pictures of you and a million memories, too. Rest easy, buddy. We're all going to the same place.
My Malamute has silver fur
I'm gonna brush and pet him
once you have seen my pretty pup
you never will forget him.
- Donna Lisa, My Malamute from Toucan You Can
I've known a lot of dogs in my life. I don't want to compare them and say: "Best dog ever!" because that's not fair to the other dogs I have known and loved. But there is a gigantic, malamute-sized pawprint on my heart right now that's never going to go away.
I haven't forgotten Tippy or Sabrina, Bandit or Sis. I certainly won't forget Kuma.
I love him because of:
The way he sticks his ice-cold nose in my ear on weekends when I've slept too late.
The weird way he catches toys: by acting like he has no interest in catching the toy at all until I throw it, then, at the last second, whipping his head around and snatching it in the air, as if to say: "Ah ha! You didn't think I was paying attention!"
The amount of people who have met him and declared him a fine, beautiful dog, and the amount of people and conversations I've had simply by being around him.
His excitement over his toys, Pink Squeaky, Squeaky Beaver and Monkey.
Walking with him every evening, which is always the highlight of my day.
Him, as a puppy, figuring out "shake" and "other paw" and then just windmilling at me for treats.
The way he always played Dog Park Police and broke up fights.
Going on Raccoon Patrol with him outside before turning in to bed.
How, when hiking, he'd never go more than twenty feet in front of us, and if one of us slowed down, he'd always walk back to make sure we were okay.
Taking him every morning to "Chicken Snack Mountain"-- a hill in our yard where I'd give him a chicken snack and he'd pee and poop in the bushes.
Thanks for the memories, Kuma. We have a million pictures of you and a million memories, too. Rest easy, buddy. We're all going to the same place.
My Malamute has silver fur
I'm gonna brush and pet him
once you have seen my pretty pup
you never will forget him.
- Donna Lisa, My Malamute from Toucan You Can