The Top 40

Goodbye jasper.

Yeah...we knew it was coming, but damn, I'm going to miss reading about that guy.

I never met Jasper but though the internets; and I mourn his passing as much as I do our family dog's passing - Cinder, 1980 - 1993.

Go to the place that 'frozen paws' treats flow.

I knew that piece was going to get me choked up. I knew it when Mushroom mentioned Lileks' dog the other day. I knew I'd read about it, and it would make me weep. And so I clicked the link.
It's just like having a dog or a cat. You know going in that one day they're going to break your heart.

JWM

Their only real fault is they don't live long enough.

YouTube dog videos helped me when my little one went to the Great Beyond. Here's one of my favorites.
http://youtu.be/zz-vxr3bLOA

I've also experienced that unconditional love from my dog, especially when time came to help her cross over. And it humbled me, yes.

Some text (swearing) on the page is NSFW.

"My Dog the Paradox"
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox

I read the piece the other day when Instapundit linked. I admit it, I wept. Then I went and rubbed my Susie Dog's tummy for a long time...

I've got an 11 year old Airedale. He goes by Chipper Jones. Chipper for short. We found out he has mast cell cancer, of all places, located on his male "parts". He's been a steroids for a while which seem to help both his cancer and his herniated disc in his back. Sure, he pees all over his foot, but I love that dog. His "appointment" probably is in the not to distant future. The inevitable is closing in. He'll tell me when he's ready and I'll be there with a torn heart to help him.

My 15yo female Cocker Spaniel, Lady, is here on her bed at my feet, where she prefers to be all the time. Lady is in her end days and every moment with her is precious. I know she is going to leave me and that's the worst thing. Her adopted sister, Brandy, left us 2 years ago and things haven't been the same since, so we cling to each other. I saved Lady's life 14 years ago from the pound and immediately she gave me life. I am so grateful to know her as she has been one of the handful of highlights in my life.

Trouble reading the print

something in my eye

funny, that

dog is a palindrome after all

Heartbreaking, they are such loyal, devoted members of our families. I was only able to read parts of the story, like OhioDude my allergies must've kick in.

I've never been able to "reach" that decision when it was required, it was always was my wife's decision to make. I couldn't even be in the same room when it was done.

I have been reading about Jasper for more than a dozen years, he was like family. Such a long life for a dog his size, nineteen years, but that doesn't make parting any easier.

In June I lost my beloved German Shorthaired Pointer, it still breaks me up just thinking about him. As a very active hunting breed, we spent many, many hours afield every single day, until he wore out his shoulders and needed surgery. Then I brought my mattress to the first floor to sleep with him during his recovery months. Finally a liver tumor took him far too soon, before his eleventh birthday. I miss that sweet, sweet dog with all my being, but am very grateful for the time we shared together.

I hope the Likeks family adopt another dog and find comfort.

Wept. James sure can write. I felt like I knew Jasper. I think it hit me harder having just gone through my own doggie hospice..

A tough read, but I couldn't stop.

Our 14 yr old Jack Russel rescue dog is about at her last wag. She has a large tumor but complains not. I can hardly stand to look at her, she is such a good girl. Brownie is her name but the kids call her nuna. It will be my job to see her off and I will when she complains and tells me it is time to go. Tears now and I am not ashamed. Short story about nuna. My 3 year old granddaughter was playing in a stream in our back yard when nuna charged into the water about 4 feet from my granddaughter. In her mouth nuna brought us back a 5' copperhead snake. Needless to say that dog earned a place at our table for the rest of her life and no piece of meat is too good for our old dog.

Thanks, Gerard, for linking to Mr. Lileks's moving article. One gets the impression from the comments, that Senator Vest really didn't go far enough.

Jasper well deserved the delightful biography that Mr. Lileks has shared with us, in pieces, over the years. I hope to meet him one day in Elysian Fields, if will have the time to greet with wagging tail, should he choose to retain canine form, one more admirer.

Jasper was the best dog I never met.

handsome tribute to a great friend
Sweet dreams Jasper

I've been reading Lileks' Bleat pretty much every day since 9-11, and like so many others have become very attached to Jasper. Have been dreading the day I'd open it up and see that dude was gone. Jasper's personality sounded so much like my Lab, Rigel...and now the sorrow at losing Rigel is grabbing me all over again.

I've been reading Lileks' Bleat pretty much every day since 9-11, and like so many others have become very attached to Jasper. Have been dreading the day I'd open it up and see that dude was gone. Jasper's personality sounded so much like my Lab, Rigel...and now the sorrow at losing Rigel is grabbing me all over again.

My last dogs were a pair of Dobermans. The most loving, loyal, warm friends I ever had. My observation then is as it is now: God's cruelest act was to make us endure 6 or 7 dog losses during our lives. I didn't miss the exit of my ex-wife as much as the loss of any of my dogs.

I stopped losing them in the 70's because it became just too hard to deal with. Now, I pet my wife's cats. That's it.

Good dog Jasper. I've been thru this just recently too... my good dog gave the vet her paw and a kiss when it was time to put her down. She knew it was her time to go on, and he was her angel of mercy. I wish to be that brave at the end of my days.
Lets hope we all get to meet our dogs again in the next life.

RAINBOW BRIDGE

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together . . . .

My late husband truly loved our Rottweiler and Lab. Every night, before he went to bed, he'd talk to them and rub their bellies. When he died, the dogs were adrift. I was dealing with so many things and couldn't give them the love they expected. The old Rott was the first to fail. She had a stroke and came to the point where I had to have her put down. Wallace, the Lab was now totally alone. He died of pneumonia, like his master, a few months later. I scattered their ashes off the High Bridge, into the Wind River, where I'd scattered my husband' s ashes not that long ago. I know they are all together again. I hope to see them all again some day.

It felt good to be gripped by the poignancy of that pooch's story, followed by all of the comments here. Dogs prove themselves to be one of the best damn things to ever happen to us humans, as evidenced by darling Jasper. Bless all of your loving hearts for embracing this truth in your own lives!