Early last month my best friend, and family Member passed.
Dakota was around 14 years old.
He had problems breathing because off a growth, in his throat and one in his hip area. It caused him to cough badly.
Dr said it would be a waste of time to operate.
He lived over two years after finding that out.
Wife arose early, for some errand and let him out.
He laid in the damp grass and gnawed lightly at a pork chop bone.
He usually crushed and gulps them down in a flash.
She couldn't get him to go back into the house.
She came to the door to call my daughter to help and he wandered down to the spring creek and laid down in it and drank some water.
She came back, put on her boots and got the leash, and went back and got him out of the creek.
He had trouble coming back up the hill.
He wouldn't eat, and hadn't in two days.
He drank a little water.
That evening I called him to the table and fed him some pieces of steak, which he gulped down eagerly.
He went and laid back down on his bed.
A little later, he got up came into the dining room and licked my hand, with sad eyes. It was as though he knew his time had come and he was saying bye.
Early the next morning before I arose, I intended to take him to the Vet, My SIL and daughter wife took hm to the Vet.
He had trouble going in and laid down.
The Girls picked him up lovingly, they said and Kids and wife held onto him hugging him as he departed.
He was always there at my feet, or close and wanted nothing more than his ears scratched.
He never got on the furniture and didn't have accidents until last two days.
I find myself still looking for him or expecting him, to be at the table licking my hand or boosting y elbow with his muzzle, wanting his share. I caught myself calling to him a couple of times.
His bowl is placed in the usual place, he's just not here.
His collar and tags and and leash are in the closet. Daughter will take them with her when they move out.
I'm lost without my best friend maybe my only friend.
He saved us one night two years ago or less when someone came in the door. Wife was in the kitchen and me on the computer in the breakfast nook. Didn't realize what was happening until he charged the door barking vicously.
The door creeked as it closed.
By the time I put two and two together and went out the door to look the night was empty black. Not a sign of anything.
So Dakota find us a good fishing hole and a big tree to sit under. I'll be right along.
Until then I want another friend SIL took the excellent Australian Shepard with him for company until he finds a job. And she is not mine anyway.
What kind of dog can fill Dakota's boots?
he was part Terrier and part Terrier.
Excellent with kids and family and wary of strangers, with good judgement. He loved us all and we him.
Clean, obedient, and no accidents and never on the ffurniture, but he would if we told him too, and... an excellent family watchdog.
