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. My sister was working part-time with Humane Services at the time, and she told me about this young puppy that looked like a short-haired Irish Setter with "Cricket eyes". Cricket (Irish Setter) was my heart dog, and she had passed away from cancer in July 1997. I went to see this puppy, out of curiousity, and he followed me all around the facility, continuously sitting in front of me, and pleading with his "Cricket eyes". It seemed this was meant to be, so he came home with me. As we left Humane Services, I said "Come along little pup-lup" which is how he came to get his nickname "Pup-Lups", and Mr. was added when he grew up. Three days after I adopted him he developed Parvo Virus, but he made it through that after several days stay at the vet clinic.

 

......................................

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 Canine Company Clicker 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, flashlights, 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 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 horribly 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