Dargo
Like a bad penny...
I haven't been here in quite a while as I've been battling my own physical battle and refused to let pain and sleep deprivation taint my disposition. I actually go in for the first of at least a couple major back surgeries next week, but that is not the reason for the post.
My buddy, companion and protector of our family for the last 15 1/2 years passed on to dog heaven today. I'm sure all who have had a pet know what I'm talking about. Other than my oldest son and daughter (who is well on her way completing medical school), my youngest three kids do not really recall any time that Dargo was not around. He had the perfect disposition that I wanted; people were intimidated by his pure physical presence, but I never needed to worry about him biting anyone unless they were trying to break in or harm anyone in our family. Other than the time the big buck squared off against him, he always came out on top.
He did a great job of teaching our (now 3 year old) female German Shepherd the rules here. She has never run off, she has his mean look down, and she is surprisingly fast and powerful. I think the beginning of the end was when Dargo tied into a raccoon and opossum that had gotten into our enclosed area by the pool. Hampered by extreme old age he got injured a bit until Ellie (his trainee) heard the noise and joined into the fight. It was a little unnerving to wake to a lot of noise between our house and guest house at 3am hearing Dargo barking and then yipping in pain then hearing Ellie's attack barking (that somehow is lower in tone than our male German Shepherds) as she got involved. I walked out to Dargo struggling to get back on our porch and Ellie covered in blood but being her normal self (bringing me any ball, stick etc. for me to throw and play fetch). The opossum was just dead and bleeding in the pool but the raccoon was mostly destroyed with blood just everywhere. I guess the 'coon put up more of a fight.
Anyway, tonight will be the first night since Christmas of 2001 that we will be going to bed without Dargo on guard for our family. I'm well aware that everyone reading this has lost a pet. We will all get over it, but it's tough for a bit. Out of respect for a great dog, I'll keep the screen name of Dargo. If my upcoming surgeries can stop me from completely losing my ability to walk, I'm sure I'll be in a better mood mentally and come back to visit; for better or worse. ;-)
My buddy, companion and protector of our family for the last 15 1/2 years passed on to dog heaven today. I'm sure all who have had a pet know what I'm talking about. Other than my oldest son and daughter (who is well on her way completing medical school), my youngest three kids do not really recall any time that Dargo was not around. He had the perfect disposition that I wanted; people were intimidated by his pure physical presence, but I never needed to worry about him biting anyone unless they were trying to break in or harm anyone in our family. Other than the time the big buck squared off against him, he always came out on top.
He did a great job of teaching our (now 3 year old) female German Shepherd the rules here. She has never run off, she has his mean look down, and she is surprisingly fast and powerful. I think the beginning of the end was when Dargo tied into a raccoon and opossum that had gotten into our enclosed area by the pool. Hampered by extreme old age he got injured a bit until Ellie (his trainee) heard the noise and joined into the fight. It was a little unnerving to wake to a lot of noise between our house and guest house at 3am hearing Dargo barking and then yipping in pain then hearing Ellie's attack barking (that somehow is lower in tone than our male German Shepherds) as she got involved. I walked out to Dargo struggling to get back on our porch and Ellie covered in blood but being her normal self (bringing me any ball, stick etc. for me to throw and play fetch). The opossum was just dead and bleeding in the pool but the raccoon was mostly destroyed with blood just everywhere. I guess the 'coon put up more of a fight.
Anyway, tonight will be the first night since Christmas of 2001 that we will be going to bed without Dargo on guard for our family. I'm well aware that everyone reading this has lost a pet. We will all get over it, but it's tough for a bit. Out of respect for a great dog, I'll keep the screen name of Dargo. If my upcoming surgeries can stop me from completely losing my ability to walk, I'm sure I'll be in a better mood mentally and come back to visit; for better or worse. ;-)
