Our Black Dog had a heart that knew no bounds. He had serious surgery on his elbow his first birthday. As a puppy, we'd noticed him limping, and imaging showed that he'd been born with elbow dysplasia.
His breeder offered us a "new puppy" if we returned R to her. We didn't even consider that option for an instant. It was not an option - R was ours and we were his.
During the month leading up to his elbow surgery, he was not allowed to run at all. As an 11 month old puppy, getting no exercise was impossibly hard on R and on us. Finally, when he had not improved at all during his rest, the vet said that it was okay to let him romp in the time leading up to his surgery.
With permission to let him run, we went out the front door, and unhitched his leash. Then, he flabbergasted us when he took a flying leap off of the landing onto the ground that was about 8' down. His flying trajectory reminded me of a dock-diving dog. He landed in the grass and did joyful laps around the house. He was irrepressible.
That surgery did give him some relief from his pain, for at least a year or so. He never hesitated to go out and have a wildly good time even when his elbow was hurting. We knew that we should try to limit his boisterous play to save his elbow for later in life but neither of us had the heart to do it.
R's happy face appears in my mind's eye every single day. His face had a bit less mischief in it later in life but his purely hopeful and happy eye(s) never changed.
Happy Black Dog Sunday. Just looking at R's face makes me smile, and he would want us all to smile in his memory.
i am smiling in his memory, he made me smile many times and he had such a strong big heart... love looking in those eyes
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteDarling angel R... you were soooooo handsome!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Your happy smile always makes us smile, R♥
ReplyDeleteI am trying to imagine stopping Bertie from running when he was that age. Impossible!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
It is the memory of those faces, those eyes, those smiles, that helps us live with missing them so much.
ReplyDeleteWe'll always remember that joyous R!
ReplyDeleteHe definitely makes one smile, and your memories bring his joy and exuberance to all of us. Take care and stay well!
ReplyDeleteoh R!!! xo
ReplyDeleteI smiled as soon as I saw that happy puppy face covered with a long drool of slobber.
ReplyDeleteR gave me the happies every time I saw his handsome face and signature smile
ReplyDeleteHappy Black Dog Sunday
Cecilia
Happy Crazy Love you sweet boy!
ReplyDeleteWe miss you so much.
Astro and Mitzie
It's too bad R had to live with his elbow pain, but it's clear it never defeated his enthusiasm for life.
ReplyDeleteOh R, that pic just cracks me up!!! I do loves me some serious slobbers! BOL!!!
ReplyDeleteI miss you my sweet furiend!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
He was such a joy.
ReplyDeleteLucky you , lucky R.
ReplyDeleteWe are so very glad that you did not exchange R for another puppy. He was and remains a real treasure!!!
ReplyDeleteSmiling at the mere thought of his younger days.
ReplyDeleteHe has always been a happy dog. You made him that way.
ReplyDeleteI'm smiling for R, I know that's what he wants. What better legacy to leave us: Smile when you think of the Black Dog, me.
ReplyDeleteI get that. We should limit Luke's running because of his knees, but if he wants to romp around, we let him. We want him to just be a dog and enjoy everything! ♥
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets