Thursday, May 26, 2016

I can't believe you're gone



A lot has been going on for me recently and I have a few things I've been meaning to write about. But I didn't want to write anything until I first made a post that is a tribute to my dogs. So, that's what this is.

 Tuesday morning, my family's dog, Roxi died. She was 14. In October, our other dog, Chance, died at the age of 15. Both died from kidney failure.

 Roxi and Chance had been a part of our family for more than half of my life. I could fill an entire blog with just stories about them.
Roxi (left) and Chance.
Roxi was a poodle and Chance was a Cairn terrier. They both had big personalities and were so different.

 Roxi was definitely a lap dog -- She LOVED sitting in your lap or next to you and being petted. She didn't care for other dogs (including Chance, unfortunately) or some people outside our family. But she definitely loved us and let us know. She would sit at the window in my parents' bedroom and stare outside for long periods of time. She even recognized my dad's car, and upon seeing it pull into the driveway would bark and get excited.
She loved being the center of attention.



A video posted by Ann Smajstrla (@anntast1c) on

Even as she aged, she still loved to play fetch. My sister sent me a video of Roxi playing fetch maybe a month or two before she died.

 Chance was a sweetheart. I never once saw him growl at another person and he never bit anyone. Unlike Roxi, he LOVED other dogs and would gladly play with them. He was kind to Roxi and put up with all of her growling and barking at him. 
Chance doing what he did best - getting all muddy and gross!
Chance after a bath. One of my favorite pictures of him EVER.
He preferred to be outside. Sometimes it would be raining and we would try to get him to come in the house, but he refused. His favorite thing was probably going to my grandparents' farm in Victoria. One time when we were visiting, he even hid until we left (I was sooo scared that he had run off or was lost somewhere), and then came back out once we were gone and was discovered by my Grandpa. He got to live like a country dog for a week. Chance is buried at the farm -- a perfect resting place.

 They were so much more than just pets.They were members of our family. They had feelings, thoughts and opinions. Likes and dislikes. They had big, dynamic, distinct personalities. I know they could sense when we were happy or sad.

 I can't image what the past 16 years would have been like without them. They changed it for the better.

 I can't believe they're gone. It will be weird to visit my parents' home without at least one dog running up to greet me.



I'll always have memories. But still ... Roxi and Chance, I can't believe you're gone.
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3 comments:

  1. Auntie DonnaMay 26, 2016 at 5:59 PM

    I am so sorry.. I have had several cats live to be 17 or 18. One passed 4 months before his 19 birthday. I can still see them in my heart and mind...one would dip his paw in his water and then lick it off. Slow way of drinking but his way. Another had one toenail that would click when he came down the hall to lay at my feet when I was on the computer. Precious memories....of people and pets. Hold them close.

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  2. UnknownMay 27, 2016 at 12:32 AM

    I am so sorry to see this. I know what it is like to lose a pet, but never 2 at once. I hope their memories give you strength. Gone, but never forgotten.

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