Best Friend

[raddam]

15 years and four months ago, my father brought home a new puppy for xmas. I was 17 and so excited to have a dog I could train from the start and become my best friend. Beau was his name and he looked like this


Beau was a handful from the start. He could use his beautiful blue eyes to communicaite with me and during the first year, we grew very close. I took him to dog training school, sort-of worked but the Husky's independence truly shined over the next few years.

As Husky owners, we quickly realized the true meaning of indepence. His uncanny ways of breaking out of situations, was truly amazing. He would wander off for hours at a time just walking, peeing and smiling around the neighborhood.


Beau could of been a show dog if that were the path we would of taken. We had countless "bitches" try and use him as a stud, but with the somewhat small yard and hyper activity of a young dog, we chose to have him fixed. It did calm him down a bit but he still had the juices flowing.

I went off to college and left him with my folks while I managed to pack on 25 pds of beer. Beau didn't care, he still loved me. During my last semester back east, I brought him to school. I flew him with me and he stayed with us in our "college" house with 5 other friends. He managed to kill a rooster and almost 3 cats. He was truly living the "Animal House" routine.

During his first 10 years his kill list

Rooster
Bird (whole, out of the sky)
1 Sheep (save that story for later)
Racoon (drowned)
Wounded a Porcupine
Squirrel
Magpie (protecting Jane in the house)
Mouse
Herded about 200 free-range cows in Fruita and Gunnison
Nearly shot by a shepherd outside Telluride
Arrested in Snowmass about three times

Beau was Jane and I's best friend and was a favorite of the kids riding the chairlift over our house. Everyday, we would hear the kids howling like a wolf at Beau.



Jane and I finally secured housing here that allowed dogs. It was time to bring Beau to retirement camp. He loved it. No fences, lots of snow and trails outside our door. In the winter, we would skin with him on Snowmass and in the summer, run the trails. Singletrack with his favorite as it kind of kept him focused on the trail, not the scents off the trail. He chased his fair share of Elk and deer, never catching any.


Beau was a powerful spirit. He was my companion. He was by confidant. We loved him like a child. His last month was tough. He was arthritic, had mouth disease and a thyroid problem. He was suffering.

On Friday, 2/18/05, we decided it was time for Beau to run in the clouds. It was the toughest thing we have had to do. Rivers of tears have been the norm the last couple of days. Kind thoughts and stories from family and friends have kept Beau's spirit alive and I am working on an scrapbook/album of his life.

I know many have lost their dogs and I have read posts about everyone's dogs. Trackhead, your dog brings a smile to my face everytime I read one of your TR's. Karl, I felt your pain when you had to do the same. Beau went peacefully, just as I would of wanted it. Aged 105 in human years, I am not sure I will see a dog of this caliber anytime soon. Here is a pic from his last hour.


Thanks everyone for taking the time to read this and for those who met Beau, I hope your memories are as good as mine.

Beau, your spirit will live on with us forever.

Regards,
Adam and Jane

[phUnk]

R.I.P. Beau.

[gravitylover]

"Beau, your spirit will live on with us forever."

With all of us...

[lemon boy]

Sorry to hear about Beau you guys.

Remember that the pain their passing leaves in your heart is never so great as the joy they brought you during life.

And, I'm sure you've seen em cause I put them up every time but I will continue to do so:

Dog's PLEA

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend , for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me . Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows , your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn . Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall on my waiting ear.


Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticaed animal no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privelege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth . Keep my pan filled with fresh water , for I can not tell you when I suffer thirst .Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding , to walk by your side , and stand ready , willing and able to protect you with my life , should your life be in danger .


And , my friend , when I am very old , and I no longer enjoy good health , hearing and sight , do not make heroic efforts to keep me going ....please see that my trusing life is taken gently . I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your loving hands .


-Anonymous-





The Rainbow Bridge
NAHRA News Spring 2000

There is a bridge connecting heaven and earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day long with each other.

There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth. So each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the group!

You have been seen and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
Author unknown







“I Stood Beside Your Bed Last Night”

I stood beside your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

I could see that you where crying, you found it hard to sleep

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well. I’m fine, I’m here.”

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour your tea,

You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today. Your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today. You tend it with such care.

I want to reassure you, that I’m not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.

I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said, “It’s me.”

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew.

In the stillness of that evening, I was close to you.

The day is over, I smile and watch you yawning.

And say “goodnight, God bless, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out, then come home to be with me."

[skiHOG]

I hope I can have a dog as cool as that someday.

[basom]

that was touching. thank you.

[lemon boy]

missed one:
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.

He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is Heaven," he answered.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said
that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind."

[grizzle6]

Great post Raddam. Best of luck buddy.

[mr_gyptian]

nice post. 105 is a damn good stretch.

Jane ok? did she trade some paint in honor of NASCAR's opening weekend?

[The Reverend Floater]

Wow. Sorry, Adam. Just got serious goosebumps reading that and I feel for you. I cannot imagine how hard that is and I am dreading the day I find out. RIP, Beau.

[danadog]

R.I.P. Beau
I am sure he was very happy during his great 105 years that he had with you!
Everytime I read a post like this it make me give my old husky mix.
a huge hug. Her time is not to far away either.
Keep you head up and recall all of the great times you guys had with Beau!

[Seldom Seen]

oh man... i feel your loss and my thoughts go out to you. Thanks for the touching post reminding all of us with four legged best friends just how important they are to us. I'm taking Bear the husky for a hike right after this post.
here's something for you that i picked up back on the powder board:
DOG HEAVEN

When dogs go to Heaven, they don't need wings because God knows that dogs love running best. He gives them fields. Fields and fields and fields. When a dog first arrives in Heaven, he just runs. Dog Heaven has a clear, wide lakes with geese who honk and flap and tease. The dogs love this. They run beside the water and bark and bark and God watches them from behind a tree and smiles.
And, oh, the dog biscuits. Biscuits and biscuits are as far as the eye can see. God has a sense of humor, so he makes his biscuits in funny shapes for his dogs. Every angel who passes by has a biscuit for a dog. Every dog becomes a good dog in Dog Heaven. God turns clouds inside out to make fluffy beds for the dogs in Dog Heaven, and when they are tired from running and barking and eating ham sandwich biscuits, the dogs each find a cloud bed for sleeping.
Dogs in Dog Heaven have almost always belonged to somebody on Earth and, of course, the dogs remember this. Heaven is full of memories. So sometimes an angel will walk a dog back to Earth for a little visit and quietly, invisibly, the dog will sniff about his old backyard, will investigate the cat next door, will follow the child to school, will sit on the front porch and wait for the mail. When he is satisfied that all is well, the dog will return to Heaven with the angel.
The dogs in Dog Heaven who had no real homes on Earth are given one in Heaven. The homes have yards and porches and there are couches to lie on and tables to sit under while the angels eat their dinners. There are special bowls with the dogs names on them. And each dog is petted and reminded how good he is, all day long. Dogs in Dog Heaven may stay as long as they like and this can mean forever. They will be there when old friends show up. They will be there at the door... ANGEL DOGS....

[raddam]

nice post. 105 is a damn good stretch.

Jane ok? did she trade some paint in honor of NASCAR's opening weekend?

Ha ha
She is fine. She took a knee to her eye dropping a 35 footer in Baby Ruth. Knee to goggles, over the chin guard. Goggle frame cut her eye and she received 5 stiches, of which we are having removed today. She is out for Crested Butte this week, sort of a tough week. Makes competeing seem not-so-important ya know.



Lemon Boy
Thank you for the wonderful doggie thoughts, made me cry..........AGAIN
Thank you all for your thoughts, this truly is a special place

[watersnowdirt]

I'm so sorry. This breaks my heart. My dog is hands down my best friend, and I don't know what I'd do without her. My thoughts go out to you and Jane.

RIP, Beau. .

[freshies]

thanks for sharing, he sounded like an amazing companion. i had a scare last week, as my 8 yr old yellow lab, Shasta, was not looking to well. So took him to the vet, where they informed me that his kidneys were only functioning @ 30%, and that he may go into failure if the treatment didn't work, etc. It may be Lymes Disease that is causing this, will know later this week. Good news is he is out of the woods (after 5 days @ the vets reciving IVs to flush his kidneys, and roughly $1200 out of pocket that i can ill afford right now....)...

But for a few days last week, things weren't looking too good, and I was simply devistated at even the thought of having to make the decision you and Jane did......

RIP Beau, and hope you and Jane are feeling better....

[iskibc]

Wow, very touching Raddam. I always hesitate to click on these threads because they are so sad. I love the puppy pic of Beau in the beginning of the post. My pup is my best friend as well. It's amazing how dogs stay true to that unconditional love towards their owners. They will love you know matter what, through good times and bad times, through poor times and rich times, through sickness and in health, through the times when you accidentally leave them outside on a cold morning, through the times you get angry with them for eating your boot liners, through the times you forget to feed them, etc. Their unconditional love for humans is a quality that is unsurpassed. Remember and hold on to the times you had with your pup and hopefully he is smiling down from doggie heaven right now.

[bigsugar]

Thanks for sharing that, raddam.

You too LB.

very nice words.

[Karl Stall]

Wow, Adam. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Beau was clearly well taken care of and had an amazing, amazing life with you and your family. You obviously couldn't have done more for him.

You and Jane have Heather, the girls, and my love and condolences. I am sure that your parents are heartbroken as well - send them this thread after it hits 3+ pages - it'll make them feel better too.

We got an Aussie puppy last spring, and she is directly related to Baker through both parents. As you mention above, she will never be Baker because we don't have the time to teach her as much stuff, but she is sweet and I can see glimmers of the old guy in her from time to time.

I look forward to seeing you guys next month. That last pic just breaks me up - so sorry, man. Glad you've got great skiing - Beau would want that for you

[teledave]

So very sorry for what you are going through raddam.
Beau's carnage report sounds so familiar to me, mine would bring home ducks, geese, turtles (the soft shelled ones with the long necks), assorted deer parts, rabbits, squirrels, a carp, and more than once when my neighbor asked if I had seen any of there kittens I had to just hope that he wouldn't look in my trash. Huskies are one of a kind animals, I know that I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. Mine has been gone right at 11 months now, your story just brought back all the old memories and tears.
RIP Beau, and my condolences to you and Jane.

[BobMc]

Raddam and LB,

Thanks man, I've been debating this same issue myself for a while now. My lab is about 14 years old, the last few months have been pretty rough on him. Reading this has made me realize it is indeed time. I'm sitting here crying as I type this, but I know it is for the best.

Thanks,

BobMc

[Trackhead]

During his first 10 years his kill list
Rooster
Bird (whole, out of the sky)
1 Sheep (save that story for later)
Racoon (drowned)
Wounded a Porcupine
Squirrel
Magpie (protecting Jane in the house)
Mouse
Herded about 200 free-range cows in Fruita and Gunnison
Nearly shot by a shepherd outside Telluride
Arrested in Snowmass about three time

He obviously lived an adventurous, full life. He was a beautiful dog. I'm sure he will be greatly missed.

My husky (Fritz) is aging. It saddens me to think of the day I will lose my most motivated touring partner.

Rip Beau. Tear it up with the other dogs up there.

[snowsprite]

Ugh. Tears welling up at work while reading posts on an interweb forum is not fun.

But it was worth it raddam just to hear about your great dog. May he RIP and that close up photo of his face said it all. What a beautiful & special friend!

Sprite

[Tippster]

Sounds like he led an enviable life with enviable partners. RIP, Beau.. and kill that fucking rooster again!

[lemon boy]

Hey Bob-

Sorry to hear about your doggo too. It is really hard to let them go. As hard as it is, it really is for the best.

Raddam: Again, hope you guys are doing okay. Sorry to hear Jane isn't going to the butte (totally understandable), they are having a great year and the comp will be the best one in years.

----------------------------------------

Damn, I hate these threads, I get all choked up and then I start worrying about the day when my dog dies and start hyperventilating. Usually though, I stop worrying cause when I get home he squeals and whines and does this jumping deal like a shrimp or a bronco sunfishing and I know that he ain't worrying a bit about the future but is just happy for the now.

[gonzo]

dogs fucking rule...and man it sucks sucks sucks when they leave us!