Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sad Days at OtterTail - Rest In Peace rescue dog Butch

Butch   5/19/02 - 10/28/12
It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to another sweet Labrador so soon after losing OtterTail Eponine.  Black Lab, Butch was the dog I rescued after his owner was in a critical accident.  He loved me, but he chose my husband to be "his man".  After initial resistance on his part they became close buds and Butch will be dearly missed, his absence leaving a void.

I knew he was not a healthy dog when I rescued him.  He had a lot of issues and had lead a complicated first 6 years living with a schizophrenic recluse.  An animal communicator told me Butch had chosen that owner to help him through his confused life and critical accident.  It must have been a difficult job.  She also said Butch was happy with us and that he chose me to teach me about letting go and moving on.  It is still not easy for me, sweet boy.  For you, I will try my best.  Rest In Peace, you deserve it. xo

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Oldest Labrador OtterTail Eponine Rest In Peace

It is with a heavy heart that I say good-bye to my beloved OtterTail Eponine after 15 yrs, 3 1/2 months. She was the last puppy from the last litter I bred.  Her passing marks the final end to that period of our lives.  I loved raising puppies, it was letting them go to new homes that was the hard part.  I fell in love with and got attached to all of them! 

Eponine lived 369 days longer than her brother, Marius.  Always special friends, now they are together again.  She also lived longer than my previous oldest Labrador, Dave.  Still it never seems long enough.  She walked slowly to the pond for one short final swim on her last day even though she had trotted down only a few days before.  That was always her favorite time.

I have so many fond memories.  One of my favorite traits of Eponine's was the celebratory "whoo-whoo" she would sing for every joyous event.  Little things make a Lab happy.  Just the morning biscuit after breakfast was enough to get a song and dance as we headed down the hall to the backyard where they got their biscuits from their first puppy days.  I started that when they were young as part of house-training.  Everyone goes out after breakfast.  I can still see her tossing her head in the air, prancing and giving me that special song.  She celebrated every little happiness.  May we all be blessed with such a clear view of life.
Rest In Peace   OtterTail Eponine   12 June 1997 - 2 October 2012