What Happens When Dogs Die . . .

Yesterday, one of my friends lost her dog. Her dog was very sick but was able to get to the wonderful blessing of the animals at a church in our area.

When a friend's dog dies, I often send a copy of a poem by Rudyard Kipling which in essence says that when we give our heart to a dog, it will be broken. 

There is a belief among dog lovers that our dogs go to Heaven and wait for us at The Rainbow Bridge. Then, when we arrive, they will scamper with us over to Heaven.

No matter what you think, our dogs are very very special to us. They ask very little - some food, a pat, a hug. Some of us probably indulge our dogs too much and some perhaps not enough. 

Your dog thinks you are the Best Person in the World. He/she thinks more highly of you than probably most humans. (Well, perhaps your spouse should be excluded there.) 

Your dog waits for you at the door till you come back. Give him a new toy and you would think it were diamond-studded. 

Dogs and people bond together exceptionally well. But, yes, as Kipling said, one day your heart will be broken. 

When I was active in the Purebred Dog Fancy, we had more than one dog and so the blow was a little less. 

Now, we just have one dog. And before Buddy, the Lhasa Apso, there was Harry who had survived when Sadie (both Shih Tzu) died.

When Harry died, I know I said, "That's it . . . no more dogs".

I lasted five weeks and was so very fortunate to find Buddy. Buddy was not a puppy; he was 10 months old. I think perhaps his Breeder had waited to see if he would like to show him but Buddy is a little larger than I usually like to see a Lhasa. Not a problem (as they say) because I had no intention of showing him. 

He was placed on the table for me to go over and he had a wonderful body, good spring of rib, strong legs and . . . most of all, Buddy looked up and me and said,

"Take me to your home and I will LOVE you so much! Please pick ME."

Well, that was over 8 years ago and Buddy has been a perfect fit for Hubby and me. 

Yes, I think lovingly of Red the Boxer, and Bobo the Lhasa and all the Shih Tzu . . . Fanny, Sadie and Harry who were housedogs. 

There is another dog out there for my friend. Not today. Not tomorrow, but there is a dog out there for her. And that dog will look into her eyes and say . . . 

"Take me home with you and we will take care of each other and I will love you, love you, love you!"