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About
Cowboy... |
Did Cowboy
look like anybody?
Ol' Rinty |
Cowboy literally walked into
my life in 1990. I could not have bought a better dog. He was loyal,
brave, intelligent, confident, sensitive, protective and a composed gentleman. He
possessed a certain decisiveness and problem solving ability. His judgement was
excellent and like no other dog that I have owned. He wasn't always a composed
gentleman though. When he wandered up our driveway, he was a rowdy, dog fighting,
cat terrorizing, bull headed roustabout with the makings of being another Houdini.
After I had him neutered, we joined the
San Diego Obedience Club. The training director, Fon Johnson, trained police dogs so
he knew how GSDs thought much better than I. He was a great help to me as I tried to
learn how to control this somewhat dominant
dog. Cowboy, at first, was not interested in learning to heel and would wrap his
paws around my ankle and gently grip my leg in his mouth. Fon taught me how to stop
this behavior quickly before it became a problem. After only a little obedience
training, I was able to walk Cowboy easily. He never pulled on the leash, and when
he walked along side of me, I was filled with pride and love. I remember the sense
of awe that I had walking this great, strong dog and feeling his coat rub against the side
of my knee. After years of living with him, this awe never subsided.
One day
we stopped by a Schutzhund / Police K9
training field. With one look at Cowboy's relaxed demeanor, the trainer for the DVG
affiliated club seriously wondered if he possessed what it took. He was quite
surprised when he started to agitate Cowboy! One of the trainers there later told me
that Cowboy possessed a great "nerve package". From there, we took a
protection and obedience class and I was bitten...not by Cowboy...but by Schutzhund!
Visiting police dog trainers offered to purchase him form me, but that was
unthinkable.
After purchasing Chance, an import bred GSD, I joined the
San Diego Schutzhund Club.
Due to training two dogs and the club having many members, it was slow going. I
often wish that I had concentrated on just one of my two GSDs. Cowboy had sooo much
potential. Cowboy received the BH title and was highest scoring dog.
Here and there, we participated in AKC obedience fun matches and Cowboy passed the Temperament Test and Canine Good Citizen test with flying
colors.
After
that, Cowboy and I were invited with our friend and one of her Golden Retrievers to be a
therapy dog at a retirement home. I really think that Cowboy made a lot of elderly
people happy and they loved to reminisce about the GSDs in their life. He made
the people laugh as I "shot" him with my finger and said
"bang-bang!" He would fall to the floor and roll over. Then, of
course, he waited to have his belly rubbed and would be back to life again.
My children came along and I
had to put training to the side. It stayed on the side, except practice at
home, for five years. I still dreamed of getting a Schutzhund 1 title on
Cowboy, but by the time I started training again, Cowboy was feeling the pains of
arthritis. Instead he enjoyed his well earned retirement, chastising Tag (my second
import bred GSD), and overseeing the care of the "human" pups.
Cowboy was there for the kids and myself on more than one occasion when we were advanced
on by loose dogs. He would confidently place himself between them and us and proceed
to chase them away. He, also, always broke up dog fights if he was there to witness
one.
Until his last day, he
proved to be a loyal companion, forever intent on my whereabouts and trying to follow me
wherever I went. Never did he show any aggression towards the children, and they
favored him the most. The neighborhood kids often came by to visit him. He was
the gentle one that gently licked them or allowed them to lay on him. Even the
adults would receive a surprise as he came up from behind and pushed his way in between
their legs for a pet. I always had a good laugh to see the startled faces as people
found themselves almost sitting on his "saddle".
I pray that he, in spirit,
may still be at my side. He is missed by many, for wherever Cowboy went, he made
instant friends. No one could resist him. I'll never forget taking him
camping, and one of our neighboring camping friends smiled and said, "I didn't know
you were bringing Rin Tin Tin."
What Do I Miss?
The butterfly kisses
that you gave.
Your judgement and
character.
Your unbelievable
confidence and ability to ward off any intimidating canine with just a look and a silent
approach.
The cornchip smell of
your coat.
The way that you
followed behind me in precise single file fashion on the return from a long walk.
The nudges and pawing
that you did when you wanted me to pet you.
Your Lassie imitation of
"follow me" when it was near dinner time as you lead me to the food bins..
Your baritone bark that
was never heard unless there REALLY was something worth barking at.
Your loyalty and calm,
confident demeanor.
How you would check on
me every few minutes if I was in the shower or bath.
Your sensitivity to my
moods.
The way that you
broke up all dog fights and always put yourself between myself, the kids and trouble.
Playing dead with
"bang-bang".
The feel of your
thick coat as I ran my fingers through it or it brushed my legs as we walked.
The black spot on
your tongue.
Your easy to trim
toenails.
Your rear dew
claws that someone never removed.
Your great, thick
fox tail.
Those dark, dark
brown eyes with so much expression and charm.
How you would
flop to the floor for me to rub your chest.
Your snoring.
Your howling when
sirens passed.
Your happy,
uplifting gait...a mix between a GSD trot and a prance.
Your begging.
I even miss the
slightly kinky hairs that would act as magnets to my clothes if I even passed your way.
Your warm tongue
on my face, when I hurt.
The connection
that I felt when we were together and the beaming pride and love in our hearts that was so
mutual.
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"Memories are Golden"
They say memories are
golden,
well, maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly,
in death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.
-author unknown- |
"Old Dogs Do Not Die"
We have a secret you and I,
That no one else shall know.
For who, but I can see you lie,
Each night, in fireglow?
And who but I can reach my hand
Before we go to bed,
And feel the living warmth of you
And touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths, and see ahead of me,
Your small form racing with the wind,
So young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
In every brook I pass.
And when I call, no one but I
Can see the bending grass.
- Author Unknown -
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"You
Were Here"
As I sit in those moments of quiet,
When sadness invades me,
I know that yesterday,
You were here.
Now you are away from us,
Not knowing your future,
Or when you'll come home, but yesterday,
You were here.
It has now been a week,
A week since you last were in the house,
An entire week since we carried you away,
To the place where we did not know your future,
But just last week,
You were here.
Another day passes;
a week ago, you were still with us,
In daily reports from the clinic,
They did not know your future,
But we could still hope, and,
You were here.
More days pass,;
A week ago you left us,
Your head cradled in our hands,
Your spirit gracefully moving upward,
But for a few hours of that day,
You were here.
Sadness invades again,
As I know that once those hours pass,
I can no longer look back,
Over the span of a familiar week's time,
To find that comforting point when,
You were here.
More time will pass;
Sadness will not so much invade as menace,
And I will mark the days,
Saying things like,
"last month, last summer, last Halloween, last year,"
You were here.
I dread that day,
One year from now,
That first marking of the time,
That your body was no longer with us;
Though we will never forget you,
Your tangible memory fades,
The feel of your fur, your head, your back, your weight against us,
The smell and sounds of you when,
You were here.
The emptiness is beginning to fade,
To change into another reality,
One with you still playing a part,
But a role of ethereal presence rather than physical comfort we crave;
Your memory, your spirit, your essence and counsel,
Dwell with us, but this feeling is not the same as when,
You were here.
Copyright (c) Jenine Stanley, 1999
"Grief is the price we
pay for love."
~Queen Elizabeth
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"Best
Friends"
"I talk to him when I'm lonesome like,
and I'm sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively,
and gently licks my hands;
Then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes,
but I never say naught thereat,
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes,
but never a friend like that!"
- W. Dayton Wedgefarth
*** I have only had one
other dog in my life that has shown such unbelievable devotion.
All of the others have been loyal, as only dogs can be,
but never to the extent of this wonderful German Shepherd.***
~~~~~~~~~~~
"I Stood By Your Bed Last
Night"
I stood by your bed last
night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I
gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ... in the
stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.
- Author unknown -
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"If It Should Be"
If it should be I grow frail and weak,
And pain should wake me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad, I'll understand,
Don't let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We've had so many happy years,
What is to come will hold no fears,
You'll not want me to suffer, so
When the time comes, please let me go.
I know in time, you too will see,
It is a kindness you do me,
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering , I've been saved.
- Author Unknown -
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"Walk With An Old Dog" -- by Gayl
Jokiel
Because you will not be forever,
Hope against time though I may,
I paint your picture in my memory,
Eyes blue with age, muzzle gone gray.
Because you walked with me in Springtime,
Puppy-clumsy, running free.
As you grew, we grew together-
You became a part of me.
Because you shared with me my sorrows,
Not understanding- simply there.
Often spurring me to laughter--
My friend, you know how much I care.
Because the years have slowed your fleetness,
Though your spirit still is strong.
I promise I will take more time now,
So that you can go along.
Because you do not fear the future,
Living only in the now,
I draw strength from your example-
Yet time keeps slipping by somehow.
Because the day will soon be coming
When I will no longer see
You rise to greet me-but in memory
You will always walk with me.
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~Tribute To A German Shepherd Dog~
Dear friend, you know as time goes by
your memory still draws nigh
I feel the whisper of your touch,
sometimes I hear you sigh.
I feel the cold-wet of your nose
as you brush against my hand
to let me know, however small,
I'm a part of that plan.
Your spirit - it still dwells with me
here on this great star,
although you've followed the rainbow
you haven't gone that far.
You're now above the thunder,
the lightning the rain.
I believe I see you smiling,
you're happy once again.
As there you wait so patiently
beside that special gate
your body whole and healthy
noble head aloft - so high with state.
Anticipating every form you see,
albeit far away,
to be the ones you left behind,
could it be them -- this very day?
Dear friend, just know you're missed
but only for a time
each memory that you gave to me,
comes quickly to my mind,
I thank you for your fearless love
to keep me from harm's way.
Each rainbow that I see
will remind me of that day
for at the end of that spectrum,
what's waiting there for me,
is a "loyal" friend I'll never forget,
a beautiful GSD.
By, C. Ruth Beall, vom Rubohaus Shepherds
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~The Last
Will & Testament
of an Extremely Distinguished Dog~
By Eugene O'Neill
I, Silverdene Emblem O'Neill (familiarly known to my family, friends &
acquaintances as Blemie), because the burden of my years and infirmities is
heavy upon me, and I realize the end of my life is near, do hereby bury my last
will and testament in the mind of my Master. He will not know it is there until
after I am dead. Then, remembering me in his loneliness, he will suddenly know
of this testament, and I ask him to inscribe it as a memorial to me.
I have little in the way of material things to leave. Dogs are wiser than men.
They do not set great store upon things. They do not waste their days hoarding
property. They do not ruin their sleep worrying about how to keep the objects
they have, and to obtain objects they have not.
There is nothing of value I have to bequeath except my love and my faith. These
I leave to all those who have loved me, especially to my Master and Mistress,
who I know will mourn me the most.
I ask my Master and my Mistress to remember me always, but not to grieve for me
too long. In my life, I have tried to be a comfort to them in time of sorrow,
and a reason for added joy in their happiness. It is painful for me to think
that even in death I should cause them pain.
Let them remember that while no dog has ever had a happier life (and this I owe
to their love and care for me), now that I have grown blind and deaf and lame,
and even my sense of smell fails me so that a rabbit could be right under my
nose and I might not know, my pride has sunk to a sick, bewildered humiliation.
I feel life is taunting me with having overlingered my welcome. It is time I
said good-bye, before I become too sick a burden on myself and on those who love
me.
It will be a sorrow to leave them, but not a sorrow to die. Dogs do not fear
death as men do. We accept it as part of life, not as something alien and
terrible which destroys life. What may come after death, who knows?
I would like to believe that there is a Paradise. Where one is always young and
full-bladdered.
Where all the day one dillies and dallies. Where each blissful hour is
mealtime. Where in the long evenings there are a million fireplaces with logs
forever burning, and one curls oneself up and blinks into the flames and nods
and dreams, remembering the old brave days on earth and the love of one's Master
and Mistress. I am afraid that this is too much for even such a dog as I am to
expect. But peace, at least, is certain. Peace and long rest for weary old
heart and head and limbs, and eternal sleep in the earth I have loved so well.
Perhaps, after all, this is best.
One last request, I earnestly make. I have heard my Mistress say, "When Blemie
dies we must never have another dog. I love him so much I could never love
another one". Now I would ask her, for love of me, to have another. It would
be a poor tribute to my memory never to have a dog again.
What I would like to feel is that, having once had me in the family, she cannot
live without a dog!
I have never had a narrow, jealous spirit. I have always held that most dogs
are good. My successor can hardly be as well loved or as well mannered or as
distinguished and handsome as I was in my prime. My Master and Mistress must
not ask the impossible. But he will do his best, I am sure, and even his
inevitable defects will help by comparison to keep my memory green.
To him I bequeath my collar and leash and my overcoat and raincoat. He can
never wear them with the distinction I did, all eyes fixed on me in admiration;
but again I am sure he will do his utmost not to appear a mere gauche provincial
dog.
Here on the ranch, he may prove himself quite worthy of comparison, in some
respects. He will, I presume, come closer to jackrabbits than I have been able
to in recent years. And, for all his faults, I hereby wish him the happiness I
know will be his in my old home.
One last word of farewell, dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my
grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at
the remembrance of my long, happy life with you: "Here lies one you loved us
and whom we loved". No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you and not all
the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.
~~~~~~~~
Thank you Laurie Shaft for
sharing this piece with me.
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