Christian
July 13, 1997 - July 15, 2005
"Christian"
Pictured at approximately five months of age.
Christian (a.k.a. Mr. Pup-Lups) was adopted from City of St. John's Humane Services in December 1997. He was only about four months of age at the time, and had been picked up by Humane Services workers after being struck by a car. Fortunately, his injuries appeared to be minor, and he was available for adoption.
......................................
Christian was a very intelligent dog, and as you can see, made himself right at home !
Here is Christian attending clicker classes in March 2001.
He is wearing his St. Patrick's Day bowtie made for him by Tonji Stewart of Clicker Companions Training
Graduation Day ! Christian was a good little worker.
When Christian was five years old he developed a lump on the side of his head and a needle biopsy revealed a yeast filled mass. It turned out that he had a long-stemming complication from being hit by that car before he was adopted. His ear canal was broken and he required two extensive surgeries to remove his middle ear organs and repair the damaged canal. It was a slow recovery but he came through it very well. Christian also had another effect from being hit by that car - he was fearful of flashing lights like camera flashes and lightening (not thunder). I think he developed this fear from being hit by that car at night and he associated the headlights with being hurt and then developed a generalized fear of flashing lights. He was not a nervous dog in general and he was not afraid of anything else so it seems this was another sad outcome of his previous owners letting him get loose and hit by a car. He deserved better than that.
Unfortunately, Christian developed Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia and though the vets tried to save him he passed away in their clinic on July 15, 2005. My heart is truly broken by his loss. I had expected to have Christian for a very long time and eight years was just not long enough. I miss his upbeat, devoted personality and perky velvety ears. Christian was my second heart dog ... I can't believe he is gone ... it all happened so fast. He was a wonderful, special dog and can never be replaced.
THE POWER OF THE DOG
There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; And when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear. Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie- Perfect passion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear. When the fourteen years which Nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns, Then you will find-it's your own affair- But.....you've given your heart to a dog to tear. When the body that lived at your single will, With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!); When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone-wherever it goes-for good, You will discover how much you care, And will give your heart to a dog to tear. We've sorrow enough in the natural way, When it comes to burying Christian clay. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we've kept 'em the more do we grieve; For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short-time loan is as bad as a long- So why in Heaven (before we are there) Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear? ~Rudyard Kipling~
Owner: Wendy Edgecombe, Highfeather Reg'd., Newfoundland, Canada
Next Back Home
Resources:
Some graphics from Bark Bytes