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"Remo softly and gently crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Friday, July 18th, followed by LuckyLucy on Saturday, August 9th, and WINston XXLP on Friday, September 19, 2008. We thank all the members of the Dogster Extended Medical Team for sending the POP."
"LuckyLucy passed softly and swiftly to the Bridge August 9, 2008. cancer never got the best of LuckyLucy... she saved that for all who knew and loved her..."
"The second Triple Dog family -- HoneyBunny, WINston XXLP, and Remo the Red, with Dad and Mum in their snazzy As Good as Gold--Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern Illinois shirts -- September 2005"
The Chicago Crew on Earth has a new member. And it's another BlackPearl. Please welcome our ol' buddy, Burt. Dogster #1048888.
Burt came from the same shelter that Dixie BlackPearl came from: The Humane Society Calumet Area in Munster, Indiana. And Burt has another Chicago Crew connection: Burt was born on WINston XXLP's 9th Birthday!!! Isn't that something? GO BURT!!!
One year ago I drove to the vet with one hand on the steering wheel, and one handle stroking the brown spot on the top of your head--the spot where the angel's kissed you. One year ago I had to let you go.
I tried to write a Tail of Devotion for you in February, when you celebrated your first Birthday at the Bridge. Those same thoughts crowd back into my mind today, on the eve of your First Anniversary at the Bridge.
I think about how you came to be ours. Dad and I had driven across the state of Illinois to Moline to pick up your roommate, Gipper, and bring him back to Chicago. He was going into an As Good as Gold--Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern Illinois foster home. While we were filling out the paperwork and Dad was walking Gipper around the driveway, the lady said "do you know anyone who would want a Bulldog"?
To say we were stunned would be an understatement. Your Dad had wanted a Bulldog for years--since 1973--but we could never find one up for adoption when we had a "vacancy". We followed the lady to her friend's house, where you had been kept in a crate in the basement for three months. I remember sitting on the steps leading down to the drive-way of the split-level house. The garage door opened, and there you were.
You waddled your special waddle with all your swagger and attitude over to a large landscaping rock--and watered it! Then, as if an afterthought, you glanced over and saw us. You casually shuffled over on those massive paws. You leaned in, sniffed us both, snorted, and then walked away as if to tell us we were of no consequence to you.
Fast forward a year. The strangest thing has happened. You have become my baby. My puppy. My Winstie. Your Dad, who wanted the bulldog, has had to settle for whatever attention you bestow on him when I'm not around. When I am here, you are my shadow. You don't have to be right next to me--but you have to be able to see me. Then you are content. And so am I.
When we adopted you, you were seven years old, already a senior citizen by Bulldog standards. I think the lady thought she was sending you off with us to die. But we were blessed. We had four and a half years together, though the last year and a half was rough, courtesy of Nutro and Menu Foods. But you beat them. You survived.
Oh, how I would give anything to cuddle with you again on "your" couch. Feel your big tongue wash my face--you never did anything as simple as a "lick". To stroke your so very soft and unbulldog-like fur. To plant a kiss on the brown spot on the top of your head--the spot where the angel kissed you before you were born. To scritch your ears and scratch your fuzzy butt. To hear you lay down in the doorway and start to snore.
How suddenly you were gone. A giant hole ripped out of my heart and life. I never got to tell you how much you meant to me. I hope somewhere, somehow, you know how much you were loved, and are loved. I can't believe it's been a year. It seems like yesterday. It seems like forever. I miss you so.
Not surprised that a team from a state known for its horrendous puppy mills would give this animal a “second chance”… We will be OUTSIDE of Soldier Field on November 22nd when they play the Chicago Bears, showing my support for the dogs!
For a list of NFL sponsors and Philadelphia Eagles sponsors to boycott, please join fellow Dogsters in the group:
For the Love of Every Dog.
The groups tagline: Taking a stand against Michael Vick; Working Together to Effect Change.
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