K9soul
03-30-2004, 08:30 AM
I'm really not trying to get extra attention here, Tommy's Day was almost exactly two years after Tasha's. It wasn't planned that way, I didn't even realize it at the time it was going on.
My domain (site where I post my pictures) has been a bit unstable.. sometimes pictures don't show up at first, if this happens I apologize :o. Anyway.. here is my letter to Tommy on his day.
-----
Dear Tommy,
On March 30, 2001, my brother-in-law, Donnie, pulled into the driveway with his truck. I raced out to see him helping you, frightened, from your crate. But once your feet hit the ground, you lit up. I couldn't believe how big you were! I had been told you were six months old, and I wasn't expecting a 65-pounder to come through the door. I wish I had some pictures of you that day.. Alas, I did not have my digital camera yet.
Let me back up a moment and describe the circumstances of how you came to us. David came home one day, and as Tasha and Willie greeted him, he looked at Tasha and said "How would you like a playmate?" I was astounded of course. He then proceeded to explain how a friend of Donnie's had taken a young golden retriever from a bad situation, living on the end of a chain out in a very rural area. You see, the friend, out of pity for you, had persuaded the owners to give you up. They wanted the money for you that they paid when they bought you, $350, but in the end wanted to be rid of you more. The friend was going to take you in to a shelter or rescue, but Donnie talked to David about you. Totally unexpected for me, David considered taking you in, and came home to talk to me about it. Would I have ever thought of saying ‘no?' You can bet your dog biscuits I didn't!
Now, we were not so financially stable at the time. When my brother-in-law first approached David, David explained we simply could not afford your shots and neutering at the time. Donnie was in a lot better straits, and being the dog lover he is, offered to pay all those initial costs if we could take you and give you a forever home. So you see, Tommy, there were many people involved in your rescue.
You had some issues, you were unsure, flighty, cringed easily, and submissive urinated like crazy, especially with men. On your blood tests, the vet found traces of rat poison in your blood. We will never know if that was deliberate :(. But you recovered. You and Tasha fast became friends and playmates. Old Willie again took it all in stride, quietly accepting, as he always did. You seemed to know he was old and fragile, and never roughhoused with him. Willie passed on from this life 8 months later.
I can't begin to describe all that you have brought into my life. A more cuddly and affectionate dog, I have never known. You adore above all else being touched and loved. Maybe partly because that was so absent in your puppyhood. You know what it means when someone laughs, and you will strive to do whatever you can to make that happen, no matter how silly it is. After three years, you will still ‘fight with your tail' to hear me laugh.
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tailgame1.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tailgame3.jpg
If I'm busy, you'll deposit toys in my lap until I notice. Or lay there and stare at me until I finally take notice.
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommytoy.jpg
Who could not stop then and give a few tugs?
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommytug.jpg
Tommy, you have the most arresting eyes, so deep, soft, gentle, and filled with feeling.
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommyclose.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs4/tommywoebegone.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs4/tommyprofile.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs4/tommyball1.jpg
You have grown into a magnificent boy, tipping the scales at 83 pounds, you are one large bundle of love and devotion. None of our lives, mine, David's, or Tasha's, would be the same without you. We love you, sweet boy. Happy Gotcha Day.
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs7/springday24.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs7/springday17.jpg
My domain (site where I post my pictures) has been a bit unstable.. sometimes pictures don't show up at first, if this happens I apologize :o. Anyway.. here is my letter to Tommy on his day.
-----
Dear Tommy,
On March 30, 2001, my brother-in-law, Donnie, pulled into the driveway with his truck. I raced out to see him helping you, frightened, from your crate. But once your feet hit the ground, you lit up. I couldn't believe how big you were! I had been told you were six months old, and I wasn't expecting a 65-pounder to come through the door. I wish I had some pictures of you that day.. Alas, I did not have my digital camera yet.
Let me back up a moment and describe the circumstances of how you came to us. David came home one day, and as Tasha and Willie greeted him, he looked at Tasha and said "How would you like a playmate?" I was astounded of course. He then proceeded to explain how a friend of Donnie's had taken a young golden retriever from a bad situation, living on the end of a chain out in a very rural area. You see, the friend, out of pity for you, had persuaded the owners to give you up. They wanted the money for you that they paid when they bought you, $350, but in the end wanted to be rid of you more. The friend was going to take you in to a shelter or rescue, but Donnie talked to David about you. Totally unexpected for me, David considered taking you in, and came home to talk to me about it. Would I have ever thought of saying ‘no?' You can bet your dog biscuits I didn't!
Now, we were not so financially stable at the time. When my brother-in-law first approached David, David explained we simply could not afford your shots and neutering at the time. Donnie was in a lot better straits, and being the dog lover he is, offered to pay all those initial costs if we could take you and give you a forever home. So you see, Tommy, there were many people involved in your rescue.
You had some issues, you were unsure, flighty, cringed easily, and submissive urinated like crazy, especially with men. On your blood tests, the vet found traces of rat poison in your blood. We will never know if that was deliberate :(. But you recovered. You and Tasha fast became friends and playmates. Old Willie again took it all in stride, quietly accepting, as he always did. You seemed to know he was old and fragile, and never roughhoused with him. Willie passed on from this life 8 months later.
I can't begin to describe all that you have brought into my life. A more cuddly and affectionate dog, I have never known. You adore above all else being touched and loved. Maybe partly because that was so absent in your puppyhood. You know what it means when someone laughs, and you will strive to do whatever you can to make that happen, no matter how silly it is. After three years, you will still ‘fight with your tail' to hear me laugh.
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tailgame1.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tailgame3.jpg
If I'm busy, you'll deposit toys in my lap until I notice. Or lay there and stare at me until I finally take notice.
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommytoy.jpg
Who could not stop then and give a few tugs?
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommytug.jpg
Tommy, you have the most arresting eyes, so deep, soft, gentle, and filled with feeling.
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommyclose.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs4/tommywoebegone.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs4/tommyprofile.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs4/tommyball1.jpg
You have grown into a magnificent boy, tipping the scales at 83 pounds, you are one large bundle of love and devotion. None of our lives, mine, David's, or Tasha's, would be the same without you. We love you, sweet boy. Happy Gotcha Day.
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs7/springday24.jpg
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs7/springday17.jpg