airbear Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Today, I said goodbye to my once-in-a-lifetime dog, Bear. My best guess is that he was about 14 years old. He had been having kidney issues all year, though you would never have known it until the last couple of months. Up until the end of the summer, he was still playing ball with my border collies, and holding his own. But when he didn't want to eat, I knew that he was telling me that he was tired, and that he wanted to go. An aussie turning down chicken liver is a very serious matter. Bear was my "first" dog in so many things - agility, disc dog, flyball, musical freestyle ... he did them all. He qualified at every agility regionals at which he ran, and he competed at two Nationals. He had no real training in flyball, but he earned his FDCH easily. I think we even had a 0.00 start once! But his true love was stock work, though I never did get a lie-down on him in 6 years of trying. He had a lot of instinct, not a lot of talent, and he usually made a mess of things, but he gave me a glimpse of what true partnering up with a dog could be like. Because of him, I became interested in herding, in sheep, and in working sheepdogs. Because of him, I have Lou and now Rex. I will always remember him in a field full of border collies, the large black blob at the back of a streak of black and white. Bear was wonderful with all people, but he loved children the most. He always had a butt wiggle and a kiss for any kid who wanted one, and even a few who didn't. He brought Wick out of her neurotic shell, and made her a more confident, social dog. Dog #82 at the Vancouver SPCA turned out to be my heart dog. I loved him, I miss him, and I hope that we will see each other again one day. Go Bear go! I hope you can catch a squirrel on that side of the Bridge. Bear ATChC MSCDC O-NAC O-NGC O-OJC S-TG-N TN-N FDCH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 RIP Bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 What a wonderful testament to a great dog. Git that squirrel, Bear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerfulgazelle Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Peace to you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooky Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 My heart goes out to you. Good, good boy, Bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anda Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Kristi, I am so sorry. Rest in peace, beautiful and dignified Bear. Sweet dreams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieDog Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Aww. God speed Bear - have fun chasing squirrels over the Bridge. (((hugs))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 If only everyone could have a 'Bear' in their lives, the world would be a far better place. Bear was a handsome fellow and I can only imagine how much he will be missed. Kristi, you gave Bear a wonderful life. Rest easy, Bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 I'm sorry to hear about Bear's passing, Kristi. Your posts about the whole crew always make me smile, but Bear was special. Thanks for sharing some of his story with us. RIP, Bear, good dog. Ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoloRiver Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Oh Kristi, I am so sorry. I was hoping I'd get to meet Bear. I'll be thinking of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 This is the second time I've said goodbye to a dog named Bear this year. He will be waiting for you on the other side of the Bridge Kristi. *hugs* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMSBORDERCOLLIES Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Today, I said goodbye to my once-in-a-lifetime dog, Bear. My best guess is that he was about 14 years old. He had been having kidney issues all year, though you would never have known it until the last couple of months. Up until the end of the summer, he was still playing ball with my border collies, and holding his own. But when he didn't want to eat, I knew that he was telling me that he was tired, and that he wanted to go. An aussie turning down chicken liver is a very serious matter. Bear was my "first" dog in so many things - agility, disc dog, flyball, musical freestyle ... he did them all. He qualified at every agility regionals at which he ran, and he competed at two Nationals. He had no real training in flyball, but he earned his FDCH easily. I think we even had a 0.00 start once! But his true love was stock work, though I never did get a lie-down on him in 6 years of trying. He had a lot of instinct, not a lot of talent, and he usually made a mess of things, but he gave me a glimpse of what true partnering up with a dog could be like. Because of him, I became interested in herding, in sheep, and in working sheepdogs. Because of him, I have Lou and now Rex. I will always remember him in a field full of border collies, the large black blob at the back of a streak of black and white. Bear was wonderful with all people, but he loved children the most. He always had a butt wiggle and a kiss for any kid who wanted one, and even a few who didn't. He brought Wick out of her neurotic shell, and made her a more confident, social dog. Dog #82 at the Vancouver SPCA turned out to be my heart dog. I loved him, I miss him, and I hope that we will see each other again one day. Go Bear go! I hope you can catch a squirrel on that side of the Bridge. Bear ATChC MSCDC O-NAC O-NGC O-OJC S-TG-N TN-N FDCH My heart goes out to you Kristi. You never forget the first ones and they remain in your life forever. But it is in a good way that we remember them and it is in a good way that we let them go to a better place. Cherish the memory. It is sacred.....Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aljones Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Thank you for sharing that beautiful tribute to your beautiful Bear. May he rest in peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet_ceana Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 I am so sorry for your loss. My codolences. It is never easy to loose a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Very, very sorry to hear that the old boy has passed on. He'll live forever in your heart, and that's a very good place to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Oh Kristi, I am so very sorry. Through the years of "seeing" and reading about your dogs, I could always see he was your heart dog. I hope that you revel in the love, and the memories you have, and that you know that you will be together again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc4ever Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 I'm so sorry. He was a beautiful dog--inside and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 I posted this when I lost my "heart dog", Missy, last year. It is engraved on a little glass shrine, courtesy of Karen, that stands next to the urn in our bedroom holidng Missy's ashes. This poem is very special to me, and I share it only with those who have lost a "heart dog", as I know Bear was to you. ODE TO A "HEART DOG" So this is where we part, my friend, And you'll run on, around the bend, Gone from sight, but not from mind, New pleasures there you'll surely find. I will go on. I'll find the strength. Life measures quality, not its length. One long embrace before you leave, Share one last look, before I grieve. There were others, that much is true, But they be they, and they aren't you. And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought, Will remember well all you've taught. Your place I'll hold, you will be missed, The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed. And as you journey to your final rest, Take this with you....I loved you best. -- Author Unknown Via con Dios, Bear. Missy will keep you company; and maybe between the two of you, you can catch that dagnabbed squirrel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewie'sMom Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Oh, Kristi, I'm so very sorry. My deepest sympathies. I cry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Oh, Kristi. I'm so very sorry. 14 years is a long time, yet I know it feels too short. That was a lovely tribute to your Bear, the love shines straight through. I'm in tears here, but his seeing his sweet face made me smile, too. You'll be in my thoughts. Run free, Bear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura L Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Kristi, I'm so sorry for you, what a sweetie he looks like in the pictures. Go get that squirrel Bear. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody & Duchess Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 I am so sorry for your loss- you gave Bear a wonderful life and he gave you a lot of love. Run fast and free Bear - and never mind that lie-down- who needed that anyways? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie's Dad Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 I am sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts. Run free, Bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnewe2 Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 What a wonderful tribute you posted. I bet Bear is lying down laughing the whole time now. Yep, I'm sure you'll be seeing him again someday! RIP Bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 My deepest sympathies for your loss. It's clear Bear was deeply loved which is the best thing that can happen to a dog on earth. Happy squirrel hunting Bear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.