We got him as a five month old pup, papers and all. He was adorable. My sons were younger and we enjoyed debating over what to name him. We'd had a female collie years before when the boys were just babies. Now we decided to go with a male. My family has always been big with western stories. It seemed appropriate to call our favorite dog after a character in one of them. Of course, he had his registered name, but we shortened it down to Sabre.
We loved him dearly. I use to tease my sons and tell them Sabre minded better than they. They'd just look at me and smile.
Sabre was smart. Very. He came when I called, even obeyed the hand motion I used for him to come. He loved playing hide and seek with me, and I think I loved it just as much. His big brown eyes were thrilled when he located me, and when I tricked him with a new place, I was as excited as he was.
He'd play fetch as long as I would throw. He'd follow hubby and myself on our walks. He'd ignore another dog we rescued (Mackie). I don't know whether he thought he was better, or just too dignified to get into Mackie's petty arguments over territory.
That last week, he began getting weaker. He had a horrible time moving about. I petted and talked "love talk" to him, telling him how much I loved him and what he'd meant to me through the years. And I cried and cried. I couldn't sleep that last night. Checked on him over and over.
The next morning I said my last good-bye to him.
A couple weeks earlier my oldest son and hubby came home from work. There sitting in the pasture near one of our horses was a small dog. Where did she come from? Did someone lose her? Want to get rid of her?
We don't know. Although son made inquiries we never found out who she belonged to. My hubby called her Squirt. I call her Taffy. She's a beautiful Jack Russell, big eyes, loving, and all. Well, I've never had a JR. We were gone traveling, but when we returned, I began making up to Taffy. She's a doll.
Could it have been heaven knew I'd need something to help me fight the lonesomeness of losing Sabre?
However it happened that Taffy came to us, I'm happy she did. I'll never forget Sabre. But my heart is big enough to love Taffy, too.
Have you ever lost a pet? How did you handle it?
ABOUT The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman:How far would YOU go to avenge a daughter’s cruel death? Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings. Can his prayers and love reach Cara and show her the way to redemption? Will Cara realize God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far?
The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman is a novel of hope shining through the darkness with strong elements of suspense and romance. This novel was a semifinalist in the Genesis contest. Release date is September 30, 2013 from the Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, an ACFW approved publisher and will release September 30. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499948/
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8 comments:
My goodness, what a beautiful cover! I hope Taffy creates a happy new place in your family.
Yes, Liz, I'm blest to have my book designed so beautifully! So excited too. :)
Taffy has been and continues to be a lot of fun and comfort to us. She's a couples' dog and fulfills that to a T.
Thanks for commenting.
Thanks! This touched my heart. I slept on the living room couch to be near our dear old Golden in her last five months. I will never regret doing so. Glad Taffy found you!
Thanks, Carol. My childhood dog was Poochie--a big old farm dog. But in my worst adolescent days, I sang to him in the evenings --yep!
Thanks for this story.
Gail Kittleson
We always had a cat. The one I grew up with (a regular tom) just left home one night when he was 12 or 13 and never came back. I suppose he went away to die. Cats are like that. Solitary. The next one was very sad and he died young. When I really think about it I still cry. There's nothing like a pet you can love on - no matter what size!
J.B. I'm exactly the same way. I love my pets and if, and when they suffer, my heart aches. When my boys were little, we had a funeral for our first collie dog (a fine female who was protective and loved us a lot!) and grieved for a month afterwards.
For whatever reason she came to us, we love her dearly.
Gail, I use to play hide and seek w/my collies! They loved it and so did it. :)
Pets are tremendous fun, and might I add? paitient? lol
Donna, I know what you mean. I have cats too (along with Taffy, two other dogs!) All our animals are outside ones except two, but they love getting the chance to sneak in. lol.
I grieve over our cats' deaths, when it happens, too. Snuggles, one of my fav ones, disappeared, and I could hardly stand it. Finally, my husband found him. Broke my heart.
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