About 5 years ago, I sat down to start a blog about my dogs. I thought I'd introduce everyone to the pups in my life and then share stories of our lives together. I started with Jake because he was my oldest at 14(nearly 15) and he was pretty sick at the time. I knew he wouldn't be around much longer and I didn't want to forget anything about him. I thought that writing it all down would guarantee that I wouldn't forget him. It was silly to think that I'd forget him or take our time together for granted, but I was going to assure that I wouldn't forget his quirks and the awesome things I loved about him. I know that when I wrote that post all of those years ago, I didn't remember to include everything about him. I wrote it through tears. He was lying next to me, thin and frail, loyal as always. I knew he was sick, but he'd had a good week and had given me a least a little hope that things were going to turn around and he'd stick around awhile longer. Less than two weeks after completing that post, we had to let my little old man go. It's been a long time since I wrote that. I didn't share it with anyone, it just sat here published, but unread by anyone but me. Finally all of these years later, I opened up the link to this blog and decided it was time to write again. I read what I wrote about Jake and it made me smile. I've posted several blogs since then, however, I've decided that it's time to share a little about the girls in my life.
Imke came into my life when she was just a 7 week old puppy. We were purchasing our first house and I wanted nothing more than to get a puppy. We got her the day before we moved into the house, a tiny adorable little puppy with big paws and floppy ears, my first German Shorthaired Pointer. For her first two days with us, she was an only dog. She was with us when we got the keys to the house-I remember pulling up to the house with Nicol and Imke in the car to get the keys so we could start moving. She was just this sweet, timid girl who I am sure was just trying to figure out what was happening. She was tiny and helpless and afraid to walk up or down stairs so Nicol carried her everywhere. I loved her from the minute I saw her. Little did I know how much more I would grow to love her all of these years later.
Two days after bringing her home, we rescued a gorgeous 6 year old male, our Jake. They became fast friends. He helped her gain confidence and she followed him everywhere. I'm sure he was annoyed by her at times, but he was always patient and he was a great teacher. She learned a lot about being a good dog from Jake. I like to say that he did the hard work of helping us raise a puppy. With the help of her new friend, it didn't take long until that shy and quiet puppy turned into the wild and crazy, wacky girl I have grown to love.
I am extremely fortunate to have one of the most sensitive dogs ever (I believe that it is an important trait of their breed, but this dog is more sensitive than I have ever seen a dog be). She understands how I am feeling, she knows when I need her, and she knows when I am okay. She senses when I need protection and when I just need someone to cuddle with to make me feel safe. And although she loves walks and rides in the car, she seems to understand that there are times when I have to make myself the priority and she is patient and expects nothing from me. I really believe if she could, she would do more to take care of me.
I sit here tonight with my sweet old girl, her beautiful face gray with age, listening to her snore softly. As I look down at that face, I reflect on all of our years together. We've had nearly 14 years together so far and they've been pretty good. Mostly when I look at her, I see love...I see someone I love dearly and I see someone who I truly believe loves me more than anything and loves me more than anyone else ever could. We have a special connection this girl and I . She would go anywhere and do anything for me. She is the definition of loyal-faithful, true and devoted to me always. She loves unconditionally...despite all of my imperfections.
Imke has been with me through some really bad times and some really great ones. I have suffered losses and gained insight. I have gotten lost in life and I have found myself again along the way. And the whole time, she stood by my side. Together we experienced the losses of our dear Spunky and our beloved Jake. She watched with me as Nicol grew up, graduated from high school, went off to college, graduated from college, and moved away from home for the final time as she went off into the world as an adult. The losses I felt, I did not feel alone. She was there, sharing in them too. They were her losses as much as they were mine.
We have traveled from coast to coast, East to West and North to South and have even ventured into a foreign country together. She has been there conquering fears and seeing all of the amazing wonders this country has to offer. She has been with me as I rediscovered my love of the Upper Peninsula...which somehow I lost through some of the crazier years. She is always up for an adventure no matter where it takes us and she has always been an amazing co-pilot.
She has been even more amazing in her support of my rescue work. Sometimes she misses out on time with mom because I am off helping to save the world, but she doesn't hold that against me. And she greets each new foster dog that I bring into our home with a wagging tail and a joy that is unmatched. She is welcoming to them all and willingly shares her toys, her bed, her treats, and her mom. She is an expert at teaching them all of the lessons that she learned from Jake on how to be a good dog and how to enjoy life.
I am truly thankful for every day that we've had together. I am thankful for all of the adventures and all of the quiet moments we have shared. I am very thankful for all of the life lessons she has taught me through all these years. I had no idea all of those years ago when we decided to bring a puppy home just how much of an impact she would have on my life. I feel so much love for her and get so much love from her in return. I know there are people in this world who would think I am crazy to say all of these things about a dog. But she is not just a dog...she is my four-legged, furry child and my very best friend. I am blessed to have her in my life... I owe her everything
Imke came into my life when she was just a 7 week old puppy. We were purchasing our first house and I wanted nothing more than to get a puppy. We got her the day before we moved into the house, a tiny adorable little puppy with big paws and floppy ears, my first German Shorthaired Pointer. For her first two days with us, she was an only dog. She was with us when we got the keys to the house-I remember pulling up to the house with Nicol and Imke in the car to get the keys so we could start moving. She was just this sweet, timid girl who I am sure was just trying to figure out what was happening. She was tiny and helpless and afraid to walk up or down stairs so Nicol carried her everywhere. I loved her from the minute I saw her. Little did I know how much more I would grow to love her all of these years later.
Two days after bringing her home, we rescued a gorgeous 6 year old male, our Jake. They became fast friends. He helped her gain confidence and she followed him everywhere. I'm sure he was annoyed by her at times, but he was always patient and he was a great teacher. She learned a lot about being a good dog from Jake. I like to say that he did the hard work of helping us raise a puppy. With the help of her new friend, it didn't take long until that shy and quiet puppy turned into the wild and crazy, wacky girl I have grown to love.
I am extremely fortunate to have one of the most sensitive dogs ever (I believe that it is an important trait of their breed, but this dog is more sensitive than I have ever seen a dog be). She understands how I am feeling, she knows when I need her, and she knows when I am okay. She senses when I need protection and when I just need someone to cuddle with to make me feel safe. And although she loves walks and rides in the car, she seems to understand that there are times when I have to make myself the priority and she is patient and expects nothing from me. I really believe if she could, she would do more to take care of me.
I sit here tonight with my sweet old girl, her beautiful face gray with age, listening to her snore softly. As I look down at that face, I reflect on all of our years together. We've had nearly 14 years together so far and they've been pretty good. Mostly when I look at her, I see love...I see someone I love dearly and I see someone who I truly believe loves me more than anything and loves me more than anyone else ever could. We have a special connection this girl and I . She would go anywhere and do anything for me. She is the definition of loyal-faithful, true and devoted to me always. She loves unconditionally...despite all of my imperfections.
Imke has been with me through some really bad times and some really great ones. I have suffered losses and gained insight. I have gotten lost in life and I have found myself again along the way. And the whole time, she stood by my side. Together we experienced the losses of our dear Spunky and our beloved Jake. She watched with me as Nicol grew up, graduated from high school, went off to college, graduated from college, and moved away from home for the final time as she went off into the world as an adult. The losses I felt, I did not feel alone. She was there, sharing in them too. They were her losses as much as they were mine.
We have traveled from coast to coast, East to West and North to South and have even ventured into a foreign country together. She has been there conquering fears and seeing all of the amazing wonders this country has to offer. She has been with me as I rediscovered my love of the Upper Peninsula...which somehow I lost through some of the crazier years. She is always up for an adventure no matter where it takes us and she has always been an amazing co-pilot.
She has been even more amazing in her support of my rescue work. Sometimes she misses out on time with mom because I am off helping to save the world, but she doesn't hold that against me. And she greets each new foster dog that I bring into our home with a wagging tail and a joy that is unmatched. She is welcoming to them all and willingly shares her toys, her bed, her treats, and her mom. She is an expert at teaching them all of the lessons that she learned from Jake on how to be a good dog and how to enjoy life.
I am truly thankful for every day that we've had together. I am thankful for all of the adventures and all of the quiet moments we have shared. I am very thankful for all of the life lessons she has taught me through all these years. I had no idea all of those years ago when we decided to bring a puppy home just how much of an impact she would have on my life. I feel so much love for her and get so much love from her in return. I know there are people in this world who would think I am crazy to say all of these things about a dog. But she is not just a dog...she is my four-legged, furry child and my very best friend. I am blessed to have her in my life... I owe her everything
