dogsin the city. A Rosie Life.
HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN SOMETHING WAS NOT QUITE RIGHT, but couldn’t quite put your paw on what it was? Well, a few months ago, my little sister, Rosie Roo, who historically made meal time a “Kibble Throw Down Challenge” to see who could finish first, had stopped eating. Mommy and Daddy quickly scooped her up and left in a hurry. After they all returned, it took a few days before Roo was back to being herself again. From then on, we were showered with treats all day and puppy par- ties three days a week. Our Uncle Greg would come over with our furtastic cousins, Tango and Rumba to play while Mommy and Daddy were at work. Every day, Rosie was the cen-
ter of attention, which completely appealed to her inner Diva. She would tire easily now. When Mommy and Daddy tried to split us so I could go on a longer walk while Daddy took the Roo back home, we both stood our ground, looking back at each other and bark- ing our disapproval. We’ve been constant compan- ions for 10 years; if she’s going back home, then so am I!
Then a few weeks ago she stopped being able
to eat again and this time when Mommy and Daddy shuttled her off, she didn’t come back. The next day, I kept looking for her outside and all over the house. Then I realized my little sister was really gone. I found myself just staring at her favorite napping spots, hoping I would see her again. I miss everything about her – even the silly
things, like how she would dig at the door to race out and herd those twitchy-tailed squirrels back up the tree. Or how she would channel Mrs. Kravitz while taking note of every movement or sound she could detect from her favorite perch in front of the wide screened smellavision (even though Mommy and Daddy insist on calling it a ‘win- dow’). And if a stray feline dared to catwalk across her view, the Roo would let out a low warning growl in response. For now, Mommy and
Daddy seem intent on keep- ing me distracted so I don’t miss my sister too much. Last weekend we went to a pool party where I raced around the
perimeter trying to get brave enough to jump in with all the splashing kids until I lost my footing and fell in. (Note to dogself: never leave
home without your Super Puppy Power Cape.) There’s also the extra cuddles, extended sniffing and exploration time on walks, roughhousing with Daddy. They even let me bark a little bit more than before. To top it off, they bought me a cool remote controlled monster truck that I chase, bark and nip at until I have it paralyzed with fear. But the other night, I heard Mommy crying
and I realized something. They may put on a brave front for me. But, I must do the same for them. So, I play along and really do enjoy all the benefits. But, I will pine in my dog heart for my baby sister, Rosie Roo when they aren’t looking. One day I will herd ducks with her again; just
not today.U
Rosie (aka Tim Tam’s Black Rose) was diagnosed with cancer in early April of this year (coincidentally also “National Cancer Control Month”). With the help of prednisone, she did bounce back quickly to her old self, but on June 5th, she lost her battle with cancer. Rosie was 10½. She is deeply missed, however we feel extremely blessed to have been given those two extra months (more than a year in dog years) to spoil and love on her and to see her enjoy the best of life before crossing the rainbow bridge. ~ Lon, Leo and Guinness Martin.
Life from a Dog’s Perspective is a series written for The New Barker by Guinness the dog (as told to his mom, Lon Martin). Photograph by Lon Martin.
92 THE NEW BARKER
www.TheNewBarker.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96