Dog profile for Christopher 'In Loving Memory, a male Collie

Collie

Photo Comments Sex: Male Weight: 26-50 lbs

Dogster stats for Christopher 'In Loving Memory


Stars:

Leave a bone for Christopher 'In Loving Memory

Nicknames:
Chris, Chrissie, Hairy Brother, Long-snouted handsome brother

Doggie Dynamics:

Energy

sleepy		energetic

Intelligence

silly		genius

Friendliness

aggressive		affectionate

Playfulness

not playful		very playful

Disposition

anxious		calm

Quick Bio:

-purebred

Birthday:
November 24th 1997

Likes:
getting his hiney rubbed; riding in the car with his head hanging out; spending time with little brother, Chico and favorite cousins, Kona and Sadie

Pet-Peeves:
mean people...but he thinks everybody is nice anyway :)

Favorite Toy:
his long, yellow playtoy (gently played with)

Favorite Food:
whatever mom feeds me is great!

Favorite Walk:
anywhere around the neighborhood with mom and kids

Arrival Story:
Our beloved Christopher Aspen Rockies Whitmore de Martinez So, I find myself writing something here tonight that I never wanted to write but there it is all the same. Today, at noon, with many tears and words of love, we said good-bye to our sweet Christopher whom we loved so very much. He suffered from a stroke he experienced a little over a month ago and subsequently, had many little strokes that eventually(just this morning) left him unable to walk. I know that he understood because when we took him to the vet, he was pulling himself along the floor. The compassionate veterinarian told us that we could take him outside into their enclosed courtyard. Mikey lovingly carried him outside to the grassy place and laid him out onto some towels there for him. We were startled to see Christopher slowly get up and take a short walk around the yard and then he came back and laid down on the towels; showing us that he was ready. He was way braver than I was, I'll tell you that much. I honestly don't know what to include here other than to relate the story of Christopher's life as best I can recount, to honor the soul who gave so much of himself and asked for nothing in return but a little bit of our love. I always wanted a dog and finally, when Ari Joe, Rosie and I were living in Allentown, Pennsylvania, I decided that it was high time that I added a canine member to our little family of three. I was always partial to mixed-breed dogs but this time I decided that I might research the possibility of adopting a pure-bred canine into the family. I did take my time--I researched breeds of dogs for a year---reading and inquiring and finally, after scads of research, the breed of collie kept coming up on top in regards to pleasant nature, loyalty, intelligence, sociability and in every other thinkable category. Well, then that did it for me. I made up my mind and went to a breeder, who by coincidence just had a fresh litter of collie babies at eight weeks old, there were 10-12 of them, as I recall. I didn't waste a moment and drove out in the country to her home, with my friend, Kathy. As we drove up, I heard the mama and papa collies barking. I couldn't get into her house fast enough, I'm telling you. I was so excited to find a collie to love. The breeder had the babies gated off in her large kitchen, in the back of the house. I walked up and saw the pups over in the corner. As I stepped over the gate, I was greeted by a herd of puppies running towards me. Wouldn't you know itâ€šÂ¬but one collie came rushing through; pushing and actually nipping at the other babies to get out of his way. He ran right into my arms; licking and pawing me all over. Ok, I have to admitâ€šÂ¬it was love at first sight. I told the breeder that this was the one that I wanted. She told me that this particular pup was the favorite of her kids and that she would have to ask them since she was considering keeping one of the puppies. She actually told me that this puppy was the alpha of the group. (I mention this cause anyone who has ever known Christopher, has a hard time believing that he is anything but passively kind and gentle with all his canine pals) I was worried that the breeder wouldn't allow me to adopt this particular puppy and I was already so attached to this little guy. She stepped out of the room and when she finally came back into the room, she said, yes, I could have that one. Of course, I was ecstatic and we took our little bundle of joy home to meet Ari Joe, who was at school. Rosie was with me, but she was three years old so I dont' know how much of the experience she actually remembered. When Ari Joe got home from school, I let him know that I was giving him the honor of naming our precious collie. He said right away that he wanted to name him after his best friend, Christopher. Well, a bit of hesitation on my part, I must admit but a promise is a promise and Christopher he became. I registered him as an AKC; listing Aspen and Rockies as part of his name since the rocky mountains are so much a part of a love that I have in my own heart. I'll tell you this much, our little Christopher never gave us a bit of trouble. He house-trained quickly; never chewed up toys (I always bragged that his toys were gently played with; never growled and never (well, almost never) ran away. He absolutely ADORED children. Later, we discovered that Christopher had a serious health problem, which was diagnosed after many visits to the vet, he had Crohn's Disease and within a year, two veterinarians told us that we shouldn't expect him to live past one year. Christopher never became grumpy despite his terrible bouts with this disease. He lost so much weight and was taking so many medications and he seemed to always have such a fragile constitution. I wasn't exactly optimistic about the prognosis either but the kids and I had just moved to Denver and Christopher seemed to be our saving grace in the light of so many trials that were going on during that period of time in our lives. I still say that love cured him because eventually, we took him off all his meds because it seemed that they weren't helping him anyway and we waited for the inevitable. Wow!...he lived on and on and ON! LOVE does cure all! you heard it here!â€š Christopher would have been 11 years old on Thanksgiving of this year. Let me tell you something here, that perhaps many of you who have known Christopher; already know. I just have to say it out loud and I do so because it helps to heal my sorrow at losing such a pure and wonderful companion with whom a deep love was shared. Rosie would ask to go outside. " Take Christopher with you!", I would say. Christopher reveled in going outside and being around all the neighborhood kids and visiting all his canine neighbors. He would sit or play outside with the kids and if he heard them outside, he would cry and cry until I let him out to join them. It seemed that everyone was acquainted with him. Also, I must admit he had many canine friends whom he loved, not the least to mention, Kona, Sadie, Mopsy(who reserves her love for Christopher alone), Molly, Woody, Oso, Shasta and of course, little brother Chico and hey!...did I forget to mention Chiquita!...yes, Chiquita is our little parakeet, who loved to ride around on Christopher back. As a result, Chiquita isn't afraid of any canine we have to remind her that not all canines are so loving and accepting of feathered friends as Christopher was. I have to say that Christopher got us through some difficult times. He never complained; always greeted us at the door when we came home--like we were royalty; was patient and loving with us; stayed by our sides if we were ill; went into the basement with us when we didn't want to go down there; went for many walks with us; reluctantly, but then lovingly, accepted his new little brother, Chico, into our family. I could go on and on. Most people who know us, know our Christopher---Oh, you are the ones with the collie," I always hear, He's so sweet." Yes, I know, he was. We will miss you Christopher. I see your little bed in my room and all your toys...we kept the one, gently-played with toy(the yellow one, you know it) I know you won't mind now if Chico chews them all up cause you're running through the golden fields of heaven, enjoying the endless rainbows and doggie treats; waiting for the time when we can see your sweet and loving eyes looking into ours again. I looked over a moment ago and I thought I saw you laying there, as usual, but you weren't there Â¦Life does go on but it will never be the same cause you have lived in our family, in our home and in our hearts. For now, my heart is broken and I know it will be mended soon and the love that you have shared with us will never be forgotten, my dear, sweet friend. I love you and thank you for showing us the purest kind of love we could have ever imaginedÃ¢, yes, may I always strive to be the kind of person that my Christopher thinks that I am. Hugs and kisses always, Mommy, aka Nancy Jo

Forums Motto:
Long snouted, handsome furball

I've Been On Dogster Since:

September 16th 2008