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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Today we had to euthanize our older collie, TJ.
We got TJ at the animal shelter almost 11 years ago. We had been there to get a couple of kittens, but my wife, Marlana, looked at the stray dogs who had come in, and found a purebred tricolor collie. While she was queued up to do the paperwork for the kittens, she told me to go look in kennel #714; there I found TJ. His manner was pure collie: I don't know what I did to get put in here. I'm really sorry. Please get me out. He was well-fed but had mats in his fur the size of softballs. We put a hold on him, figuring that there was a frantic owner out there somewhere who would come to claim him. Nobody did. One week later, we had a collie. He was the spitting image of the stud at a collie breeder's from which we had gotten two dogs; that stud was named Titan. We decided to call our new boy TJ: Titan Junior. In his heyday, TJ could run 4 - 5 miles with me 3 - 4 days a week, in the hills of East Yorba Linda. We would frequently have cars stop in the middle of the street to ask what kind of dog he was (most people being familiar with only sable-and-white collies (Ã la Lassie), not tricolor (mostly black) collies), or to say what a beautiful (they meant "handsome" dog he was. In recent years he slowed down quite a bit. The last run on which we went was in early 2015, at which time I damaged my left knee (to the point of having it replaced in December, 2015). His days were devoted primarily to sleeping, being petted (his favorite pastime by far), and snarling at the new puppies (Geordie, a collie, and Bo, a corgi) when they got too close to his victuals. In the last few months he was increasingly beset by arthritis and gastrointestinal problems. He was on painkillers to allow him to walk without undue discomfort, but, honestly, he had surpassed having true quality of life. Mentally, he was as sharp as ever, and, occasionally, physically he would surprise us with his spunk. He would look at us with those bright, deep eyes, imploring us to drop everything else and spend our time petting him. In the end, it was the right decision to put him out of his pain, but it's life's cruelty that his mind and personality were fully intact and vibrant when his body was not. Anyway, today's a sad day. He's in a better place, but we already miss him terribly. |
LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
So sorry, Bill. Losing a dog...always among the worst days. Our deepest sympathies.
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Please accept my sincere condolences, Bill. We get so attached to these lovely creatures. For Leslie and me, it's like losing a child. Try to remember only the joy TJ brought into your lives.
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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Thanks, Dan and Arthur.
Believe me, TJ brought a lot of joy into our lives. TJ had happy feet: if the back gate were left open, he was off into the big, wide world. He had only one goal: finding someone who would pet him. And he always came home. |
tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Sorry to hear that Bill. My wife had a collie when she was a kid and she still speaks about her now and again.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
R.S. Regular user CT one day I'll have 184 Posts |
Sad news indeed. Thanks for sharing, Bill.
Ron
"It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry." Thomas Paine
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Lovely memories, Bill. Sorry for your sadness.
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
Daryl -the other brother Special user Chicago 594 Posts |
Losing my dog BlackJack was one of the saddest days of my life. My heart goes out to you and your family, Bill. Remember the good times.
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stoneunhinged Inner circle 3067 Posts |
My condolences, Bill.
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Losing a pet is so hard that it makes us wonder why we set ourselves up for this pain knowing that Pet lives are generally shorter than ours.
When we think of the light our Pets bring to our lives it is very apparent that it is all worth it to us and to our Pets. Condolences on your loss Bill (and joyful recognition of your lucky find in TJ). -Mary Mowder |
ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
Take a deep breath, take a drink. Tomorrow go rescue another dog.
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
I'm sorry to hear about TJ, Bill. Love & Peace.
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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Another thread asks why we come here.
You, my friends, are the reason. Thank you all. |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is never easy.
Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1336 Posts |
So sorry to hear of your loss. But also so heartwarming to hear of the rescue and love you gave to an abandoned animal. The unconditional love pets can give is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
I owned two tricolor collies when I was a youngster. Losing them was hard. Best wishes, Bill.
Click here to get Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years
All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity. |
Glenn Watson Special user 781 Posts |
Enjoy all the memories.
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The great Gumbini Inner circle 3062 Posts |
Very sorry Bill to hear this sad news. You know its amazing we still call them "pets" heck we need to call them who they are "friends and family". Thanks for making his life the best it could be! You'll see him again.
All my best, Eric |
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