All the dogs I’ve loved before

Cormick, Mack & Darby labrador retrievers

After losing my beautiful Spencer I was talking to a co-worker how I wished dogs could live as long as we do. He thought for a second and said if they did, think of all the amazing dogs you would have missed in your life.

I’ve been fortunate to have experienced many dogs come and go, each one a teacher, best friend and loyal companion.

There are moments that stick out more than others and one of my first is still painful upon reflection. We had a beautiful big black dog named Ben; he was a wonderful companion who even allowed us to play dress up with him. One day he was struck by a car in front of our home. My Mom and Papa rushed him to the vet and upon their return let me know he had been put to sleep. In my 6-year-old mind I took this to be hibernation and was proud to report at ‘show and tell’ the next day during school. Ms. Reid was not having it and corrected me in front of the class. The tears came quick and soon I was inconsolable, the office had to call my mom to retrieve me.

We got Cody who was left behind at the vet, his family went on vacation and never came to retrieve him. He was a Newfoundlander who was able to pull us around on a toboggan with a pony harness. He was a loveable dog who was always excited to see us.

Then came my first dog Toby. My sister and I ended up at the Livestock’s one evening with my dad and his friend. As we were sauntering around looking at the goods, a couple kids approached each holding a puppy in their arms. I can still see it clear as day in my mind as I reached my arms out my dad coming in hot behind me saying “no…” he knew if I got that puppy there was no giving it back. Lucky for me the desire to cuddle the puppy was strong and I had it in my arms before my dad closed in. He was simply met with pleading eyes and request of can I keep him. Toby was a lab/shepherd cross and solid black. He was a smart dog, loved to chase my dad in the tractor, learned the boundaries of our property on the farm and came out hacking with me and my horse, Peaches.

After Toby I went many years without a dog in my life due to college and when I moved out of home. Cats became my new companions as it suited the lifestyle of a student. When I lost my last cat Otis my mom could see how distraught I was and said she’d help if I wanted to get a dog. With a full-time job as a firefighter, I needed help. This was the best gift anyone could have given me. Fortunately, I’d already purchased a house with a huge yard in the hopes that one day I’d figure out how to get a dog and within a couple weeks of Otis’s passing Mack joined me and has been with me for 16 years and is still doing well. As the months went on, I kept getting the itch to get another dog, I’d see people out and about and felt it would help Mack with me being at work to have a companion. My breeder had a few extra yellow Labradors left over, I let my mom know I was just going to look, which everyone knows it’s impossible to not come home with a dog. Spencer was 16 weeks when he joined us, and he was the sweetest little soul. He knew who he was and certainly liked to challenge me during training when he didn’t feel like doing things. He’d bark, dawdle along. Now when we started tracking Spencer found his groove, this was right up his alley as he could suss out a dead animal carcass from miles away. Spencer had lots of musculoskeletal issues all his life, yet he was always a happy camper who loved to meet and greet even the most hardened souls.

I am grateful to be the guardian and dog mom to Mack (16), Darby (4) and Cormick (1). They keep life interesting and me on my toes.

With each dog and experience I’ve learned a little more, figured out something about my dog, myself and what it means to build a quality relationship. I am excited to take this next step and share my passion and experience with others with my training through Absolute Dogs and the Pro Dog Training course. It’s been a fantastic rabbit hole to dive down and geek out over why our dogs do what they do and what we can do about it.

What dogs have left a mark on your heart? Tell me in the comments below.

Most effective tactics to reckon with a devilish dog.