If it seems like I haven’t been around much except for spacefiller posts it’s because I’ve been dealing with bad things. Just before the weekend LB’s bladder infection came roaring back and he suddenly became very sick. He stopped eating three nights ago and sort of went in and out of coma, fading away. He passed away overnight.
He was my very first dog. I’d cared for other dogs before he came along, but never raised one from a puppy and you could say that in him were all my sins remembered – I didn’t know what I was doing, and maybe his life would have been a little more ordered if I had. But all in all he seemed to have a happy life.
I’ve got to load him up for his last Jeep ride now. Boot Hill is hard clay and I worked on it off and on all yesterday but I blew out my back, so it’s been hard going. But we’re getting there. I’ll put him in Landlady’s barn where it’s cool and probably get him buried this afternoon.
Sorry, I’m not in a very good mood and I have a lot of work to do. Anyway, regular readers knew LB from when he was a puppy, so he probably doesn’t need eulogizing here.
Later, maybe.
Sorry to hear it Joel. I’ll miss hearing about him. Best wishes.
Sorry to hear this Joel. Losing a dog is especially hard when he is your constant companion. RIP LB
Sorry Joel. Their companionship is always worth the hurt.
Oh God Joel, I’m so sorry for your loss. I know what a good friend and companion he was to you. He will be missed by others including me. Because of the way your stories have brought him to life, I too feel like I’ve lost a friend.
that sucks, sorry for your loss.
I, too, feel like I’ve lost *another* Bear. My sincerest condolences on the loss of your friend.
I am so sorry Joel.
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” —- Agnes Sligh Turnbull
He was a big old doofus and I know he didn’t make your life easy at times. But he was a good old doofus and you and he were a fine pair.
I’m sorry, Joel. But I also glad LB’s suffering is over.
I am so sorry, Joel.
This poem helped me when my dog died. I had trouble linking to it , so I just copied it.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in your dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look one more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Author Unknown
If there is a pupper heaven, LB is there right now — riding shotgun in the Jeep, catching rabbits, and snarfing peanut butter.
He was a groovy dude in his way. And you loved each other with everything you had.
Condolences to you, Joel, though I know they’re no real help.
My condolences, Joel. RIP Little Bear, always sounded like you had a pretty good time down on this ball of dirt, thanks for the entertainment and companionship. Job well done.
Joel,
I am so sorry you have to bury your old friend. I remember him. He was a good old doofus.
Please accept my deepest condolences.
He was a good dog.
Joel,
I’m sorry for your loss. It’s just hard. Know this both your and his lives were better for the time you spent together. Treasure that.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I know this has to be very rough on you. Is there anything we can do to help?
Oh man. I’m so sorry Joel. I’ve lost relatives that didn’t hit me as hard as my dogs when they go. He was a good dog and you are a good man.
That’s one of the hardest jobs there is. You have my deepest sympathy.
BTDT and know the pain of the loss.
Sorry for your loss. It’s always hard to lose your best friend especially when it’s so sudden.
I’m sorry, Joel. He was a lucky dog to have a guy like you. From the sound of things you gave him about the best life a dog can get.
Hugs Joel. What a bummer.
I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve been where you are on too many occasions and I know the pain you’re feeling.
I am so sorry for your loss of Little Bear
I’m so sorry, Joel. 🙁
We all will miss him. Like everyone else, I am so sorry for your loss but glad he did not suffer.
Oh no Joel, I’m so sorry. LB was such a lovable, goofy buddy. Rest in peace LB. My sincerest condolences Joel.
Jack
Very sad, sorry.
Man Joel I am so sorry. One of the worst feeling is to lose your best friend.
Joel I am so sorry for you. Most dogs are better than most people. Little Bear was in that group of the best. I will miss the stories about the big guy. He will be waiting for you…
I’m so sorry Joel. There is never a good time to lose your constant companion .
So sorry Joel.
Condolences, it is tough to lose long time companions and that is what LB was, all the way. Do take care of that back and shoulder too.
I’m so sorry for your loss.RIP Little Bear
Take heart in the knowledge that you cared for him and made sure he wanted for nothing.
He was a big part of the adventure that you are living, and we shall all miss him.
S’pose he and Ghost are re-establishing their relationship? Would be interesting to observe.
joel,
I know you are hurting and this will perhaps put the sadness into perspective…I know it did for me:
The Power of the Dog
Rudyard Kipling
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But . . . you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve.
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
I’m so sorry for your loss. 🙁
Sorry you lost your friend.
Ach – We share your pain, from a distance. So sorry.
Sorry, man. That sucks.
Sorry Joel,RIP LB
Sorry for your loss Joel. Rip LB.
I shed a tear when I read this. I will miss LB. My thoughts are with you Joel. So sorry for your loss.
I’m very sorry to hear of his demise. Dogs are great companions, they make me feel better when I am down.
So sorry to hear this. We’ll be thinking of you guys.
I’m so sorry for your loss; rest in peace Little Bear.
I’m sorry for your loss.
so terribly sorry. Jesus said that God knows when every sparrow falls, so we know that your Bear is in His hands and knows joy and love unspeakable and indescribable.
So very sorry for your loss
I’ve lost a lot of things over the years, friends, lovers and pets. Still undecided on which hurts the most. my condolences, Joel.
I am sorry for your loss.Hope your grief will soon fade and only good memories remain.
My condolences, Joel. I’d been a cat person all my life. I do better with them than people as a general rule. Now, at 61, we have our first dog. What an awesome, wonderful, smelly discovery this has been.
Little Bear was lucky to have you. I hope you let another one find you soon.
He was family, so sorry for your loss. We mourn them as we would any close friend, sometimes more.
A good dog is a good friend indeed. Sorry for your loss.
I’m sorry.
Little Bear stories were my favorites…he will be missed.
Well, shit.
Damn. Condolences.
Sorry I’m a couple days late, but damn, that’s a sad one, Joel. We love these ludicrous creatures, working side by side and day by day with them, never knowing if we have 5 years, or 10, or 15. It doesn’t make it easier to know they will go, but it doesn’t stop us, somehow.
I hope the first thing he did on the other side was catch something that he’s well beyond causing him trouble.
My condolences, on your loss.
I missed reading this somehow. I am so sorry, been through it enough times myself to know how hard it is.
Well sh*t. We don’t control the time of some things. LB might like that you find a puppy to be such a friend as he was. A puppy would like it too.
Aw, Joel, I’m so sorry, and so very sorry I missed this. Poor Little Bear.
Thanks. I’m still kind of getting over it.