Lost one of my best friends and gained two more......

[Strider]

Bart was a miniature rat terrier that was a rescue dog we picked up about 11 years ago and was one of the three original rat pack nut dogs.

(Bart on the left - the small one - then Homer, the TRUE nutdog and Sadie - another rescue dog that came into our lives about 10 years ago).



When I left for Africa, he started to go downhill due to liver failure.  He went very quickly.  I had prayed that he would make it until I got home so I could be the one to take him down, but Bonnie said the last day, he looked up at her with a look like - "No more please".  So, we lost him about 4 weeks ago.  He was my buddy.  Rest in peace Bart....you will be missed in our hearts but I know he can say, "Thanks, I had a good time!"  He was a good fur child and left a void in our hearts and our home. 



I felt that there must have a been a reason we lost him, and felt that it must have been to bring love to another of God's creatures.  While I was in Africa, I found a little girl in New Iberia at Angel Paws that just tugged at my heart.  She was a little 5 pound girl that was an Animal Control pick up and had this look of "Why am I here in this shelter".  She was a little beat up but aren't we all.  As soon as I saw her picture, my heart was drawn to her.  I told Bonnie that I felt we should pick her up as soon as I got home and she agreed.  That day, she went and got some toys and a pink blanket for her.  As Proverbs 12:10 says, "The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel."  I looked at her picture every night at the staff house in Africa and let her know that we would pick her up soon.  Our adoption application was approved, so everything was ready for me to get home.  Got home on a Saturday and had to wait until Monday morning.  We went and had a adoption day celebration breakfast, called to make sure she was ready and headed to New Iberia to pick our new fur daughter up.

Well, what can I say...........I think Bonnie's look says it all.  They say the look of a child with a new puppy....how about a mother with a new fur puppy daughter?



Her name at the shelte was Fiona and it seemed to fit her fine, so Fiona came into our life.  Not like she was happy to meet us or anything.........




Well, they brought out this beautiful, sweet little thing named Kiki and when we asked about her, we were told that she was Fiona's play mate and the only ones they would let out together and when they did, they would play and run and play and run.  The rest was history - we can always get another blanket and some more toys.  She was an animal control pick up as well and had been treated for mange and was now healthy.  A month and a half in a cage at her age was long enough.  OK, welcome to the Strider household little girl.



She seems to have been abused but after a week here, I think she knows that nobody in this house is EVER going to hurt her.  She is opening up now and what a sweetheart!!!!




Man, they play and play!  Homer and Sadie have become close to them as well.



And then CRASH hard.......two sweethearts.



And they have filled the void left by the loss of Bart.......



So, we lost one of my best friends, but have had two new ones come into our lives...

[The emperor has no clothes]

You guys are good people 

[Valkorado]

 Cute overload!   

Your a good 'n, Strider!

[Hook#3287]

Cool post

Thanks for sharing

[Robert]

Thanks for posting sorry bout your loss but in the end it worked out.

[Rams]

The one thing about our special buddies is, they only give back love.    

Congratulations on finding those two.   They look like a hand full.    Enjoy!!!!!  

[Bighead]

Losing your best bud is hard but he had (I am sure) a great life. Now two more will have the same

[baldo]

I'm so glad to come across this thread. And sorry to hear of your loss, but it looks like you've got some good help to get you through it.

We were considering a rat terrier to add to our home. We lost our yellow lab about 5 yrs ago, and just haven't felt it was time to refill that position....

They look like trouble, but in a good way....

[BF]

I lost my black lab several years ago.  I still can't replace her.  I miss my dog.   

[Pappy!]

You need to replace her, BF. She would want it if she could tell you. They are there, in kennels, waiting for someone like you to give them the life they deserve.

Strider - Well done!

[R J]

Warren, if'n you gave that puppy dat black eye, you have a Southern butt lickin a comin in in full strength, you bum.    LOL.

Good on the recovery lad, you is da man.   Love that little black eyed one, she is a cutie.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm so glad to come across this thread. And sorry to hear of your loss, but it looks like you've got some good help to get you through it.

We were considering a rat terrier to add to our home. We lost our yellow lab about 5 yrs ago, and just haven't felt it was time to refill that position....

They look like trouble, but in a good way....

I've had dogs my entire life except for my 4 years in the Navy. Without a doubt my best 2 dogs were a Rat Terrier and a Jack Russell.   Only you guys will know when the time is right but I wouldn't hesitate to have either breed again.  

[Black Dog]

Way to go Warren 

Rescue Pooches just seem to know that their new life will be filled with love 

Black Dog

[Momz]

Thanks Warren.

We also have an older terrier and he is our "fur child".
He loves to ride on Pam's motorcycle every chance he can,.....and he's got a "ton-o-miles" on him.

When I brought home my first Valkyrie,.....he put the first scratches on it within a minute of me bringing it into the yard. Those scratches will always be there as our memories of "Joey".

Blackdog and Joey

[Hooter]

Thats the best! Some of us here have lost our best friends recently, me included. (our dogs) Breaks your freakin heart, at least it does mine. I cried!    Pete was the best I ever had but he is also the last. I can't do that again. I get too attached. Had  him for 12 years.
 Cute little stinker, made me laugh when I saw her. Dogs are the best to.   

[POPS 57]

Been there done that feel your pain. Your a great person for playing it forward.  

[Karen]

Our hearts are always big enough to let just a little more love in. Thank you.

[Tailgate Tommy]

I love a thread with a happy ending! Thanks Warren.
Tom

[czuch]

Thats a nice story. I'm glad you got a twofur.
I've always gotten another after a loss.
 There is a reason God is dog spelled backwards.

[Super Santa]

Cuteness, for sure. 

Thanks for sharing, brother.

Enjoy the new fur kids.

[Bighead]

Thats the best! Some of us here have lost our best friends recently, me included. (our dogs) Breaks your freakin heart, at least it does mine. I cried!    Pete was the best I ever had but he is also the last. I can't do that again. I get too attached. Had  him for 12 years.
 Cute little stinker, made me laugh when I saw her. Dogs are the best to.   

Hooter it is a though thing but why not just enjoy your memories and make some new ones with a rescue that may otherwise be put down or never know what a good home is like. They are God's creatures and deserve a good home.
I had a cat that I had to have put down after 17 yrs and talk about tough, (cried like a baby) she would be standing on the washing machine with her feet on the door knob when she heard my truck pull onto our street and Wasnt satisfied until I picked her up and sat down and brushed her for about ten minutes everyday.had many Dogs in the past but don't have the time a dog needs spent with them so none at this time but will have another in the future.