Monday, May 10, 2010

There were GREAT days....




This post is all about Puff,  told by HER.

Puffers loved going for boat rides, so much that we had to spell B-O-A-T and even then he'd head for the locker where his life jacket was kept. Dancing in circles all the way.   Once he fell overboard in his excitement to talk to a pod of Dolphins where there were 3 immature dolphins. We were so afraid he'd get hurt, but they whole pod just circled around him,  nudging him to keep him afloat until we circled back to pluck him out of the water.   He could hear dolphins and sea turtles and manatees and would hang off the rail whimpering to them long before we could see them.





We'd take him out to the island every nice day after work. It was his dog park.  He'd run around, swim, sniff at stuff and make friends with everyone that came out to watch the sunset.




He washed up fancy, but generally was a mess, since he loved being in the water and swimming and rolling in the sand.   We'd just hose him off on the dock and let him roll in the grass to dry.   That, plus he HATED being groomed. 



Puffy belonged to the Idiot Marine, who named him Wolverine when they both were puppies.
Wolverine/aka Puff, loved playing rough house with the boys.   Nothing was ever too rough.
This photo was taken right before the IM left for his first tour of Iraq.  




He was even friends with the Mr., although they'd both deny it.




And like most things the children out grow, he became MY friend.  Once he threw himself in front of me and a large Chow,  who promptly picked him up by the scruff of his neck and tried to shake him to death. 
Puffy the Braveheart.   






I hope Ms. James doesn't mind that I modified her quote.  I forget what it origially said. 


But then,  there were sad days.   Pain, confusion, desperation, hopelessness....


On one of his last days with us,  Bonnie gave him 2 of her toys.
Snuggled them right up next to him.
Normally she wouldn't let him walk past her toys.

And then, there were no more days.
17 years go by so fast.



And my heart is broken.

I hope you are swimming with the dolphins now.


30 comments:

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

A beautiful tribute to Puffy. Seventeen years is a good innings and to be filled with love and care. What dog could ask for more.

Loved the dolphin story. Thinking of you.

XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Thanks fur sharing -

That is khwite a long time with so many great memories!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Sally Ann and Andy said...

Puffy is loved, and I know he will be missed terribly. After my sister had to move away, Mack and Mommy were very sad and Mommy misses her sometimes now. I know Puffy, Digby and Jackson are running right now just like puppies.
Sally Ann

Kari in Alaska said...

what an amazing tribute

Dexter said...

Those were such beautiful words and a wonderful tribute to your friend. We miss our family members who are gone every single day. They will always be with us.

Slobbers,
mango

the magic sleigh said...

Woooooos! What a lovely tribute to a very special Puff! I know that he is happy on the boat ride of all boat rides....(I understand Mum has to spell out the word fur me too)
May the sand be furever in your toes....and in all of your heats, he will be missed..

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history -- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death."- Robert Fulghum


Husky kisses fur all of woo~
Kira The BeaWootiful

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Pam,

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful tribute to Puffers. I know he will be missed.

((((HUGS))))
Lynn

houndstooth said...

Oh, I'm so sorry! It's never easy to lose them, whether they're puppies or the most geriatric of dogs, healthy or sick, when they go, it leaves a huge hole in your heart. What a wonderful life Puff lead with you! He had the charmed sort of life that all dogs should have. You wrote a lovely tribute for him!

Bunny and her mom

BRUTUS said...

Our hearts go out to your family. We had a very similar experience last fall with Duncan, who just missed his 17th birthday by a few weeks. After seeing them near the end, it's so much nicer to remember how they ran bold & free in the good years. Looks like Puffers lived the life, loved and was loved on by you all. Such a lovely tribute. Godspeed Puffers.

Michelle & Brutus

The Strawberry Mallard said...

Oh my......thank you so much for sharing....indeed Puffy will be with that pod tonight..a blessing to have Puffy for 17 years..but no matter how long, it will never be enough.
..saying a prayer tonight that Java, Snickers,and all the wonderful dogs that have gone before Puff
Paw hugz, Angus,Becky and their mom

Scooter said...

I am so sorry Pam,
What a nice trbute to Puffers. MY heart goes out to you and your family. 17 yrs is along time and he has lead a great life!!
Puffers is up there with our Sprint of 18 yrs having fun chasing each other.

Keeping you in our thoughts
Diana and Jazzi

Molly the Airedale said...

Mom is in tears once again. Seventeen years is a long time and filled with so many wonderful memories! Our hearts are breaking for you!

Love ya lots,
Maggie, Mitch and Sue

Unknown said...

Seventeen years can feel like a minute when someone we love continues their journey without us. The world lost three heroic dogs yesterday, but the Heavens have never sparkled so brilliantly. Listen...can you hear the joyful barking, coming from the direction of the dogstar? Puffers is home and the boat is waiting for him at the dock...

Love,

Petey

WFT Nobby said...

What a lovely tribute. When a dog has been part of your life for 17 years he leaves a huge hole, even while we can recognise that his time on earth is up.
Best wishes to you all, as you remember the happy times Puffy brought.
Gail.

kmp said...

we are so sorry, thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute to Puffy with us.

edgar and katie

Eric said...

My heart goes out to you, I'm so sorry. Your tribute was lovely, Puffy as brave as a lion. Your story of him in the water with the dolphins was wonderful. I send you comforting hugs, 17 years is a long time but gone in flash and never long enough to share with one we love. Kisses for Bonnie too, I'm sure she will be missing him and looking for him.Tell her she'll need to look upwards in the sky to see his star shining brightly.

Wiry love Eric xx

Jesse the Westie said...

What a lovely and moving tribute.

xoxo,
Jesse

Inky and Molly said...

17 years, wow!! What a fantastic life you gave him.
Our hearts are broken for you and we feel your pain. Wishing you lots of strength...
Love, I&M

TwoSpecialWires said...

Oh dear. The flood gates are open again. We just learned that your dear Puffers passed on to the Bridge. Maggie and Mitch mentioned him in their blogpost. We are so sad. For all of us, who will miss the stories of Puffers and the Idiot Marine and Bonnie. But most of all for you. His family. Seventeen years is a long time, a lot of memories. It makes it even harder to let go. We like to think of Puffers running free and carefree over the Bridge, and that helps. But it doesn't take away the pain that we're sure you are feeling. We hope that before long, the happy memories will begin to help the hole in your hearts heal. In the meantime, lots of loving support is coming your way.

Fondly,
Jake and Fergi and Family

Unknown said...

Ahhh Bonnie, So sorry to hear about Puffy. We only just found your blog, and feel like Puffy is part of our dog blogging family.

Best wishes to your family and condolences from our human and us.

Hector and Bonny
xxxx

Jake of Florida said...

We were so wrapped up in all the sadness about Digby and Jackson that we didn't realize about Puffer until we saw your comment on Petey's blog.

Seventeen years may sound like a long time to some -- but when it is a matter of a beloved dog, the years go by in the blink of an eye.

We hope the good memories will come to fill the hole in your heart as you grieve his loss.

Wirey sad woofs of condelence,

Jake and Just Harry -- and Joan

Martha said...

Oh we are so very sorry to read this post and so sorry for your loss.
This is a pain that we know and our hearts go out to you.
What a great life Puffy had with you - loved and cherished.
Wonderful tribute.
Take care
xxxx

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

What a wonderful tribute to Puffy and such beautiful scrapbook pages to remember him by....

Lots of Hugs,
Beth (Dory and Bilbo too!)

the booker man said...

this is such a lovely post in honor of your sweet puffy...so many happy memories and such a full life! it is clear ya'll loved him very much and will miss him equally as much.
i am sending hugs and comfort to you...i know it is hard to lose one of your best friends no matter how old...it'll be 3 years in november that i had to put to sleep my 17 year old cockapoo mix, whitney.

the booker man and asa's mama

*Alex* said...

Just beautiful, I am a new follower and am just so touched by this. I teared up. Nothing makes that hurt less, thinking of y'all.

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

Sorry to hear of the loss of your Puffyboy. This was a sweet tribute to him.
With Sympathy,
BabyRocketDog and Hootie

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

What a simply beautiful tribute to your lovely puffy. Sorry I didn't get here before. I wanted to add my hugs and comfort to you. Puffy had a great life with you and knew so very much how he was loved. He is running free now and will be watching over you still. Carol and GJ xx

Angus said...

Thanks for the tip. Off to the pharmacist for rose geranium oil. You're right they drop from trees, leap up from long grass and skulk in the hedgerows. We're being as careful as a bositerous boy can be!

Anonymous said...

I'm only learning of your loss. We're All thinking of you. I think I'll Arroo for Puffy on my walk tonight. Roo Roo for Puffy and You, Stuart

Emma said...

beautiful! i understand the love of a dog and how life just isnt the same after they leave us...thinking of you, and thank you for sharing your stories...the one about the dolphins is amazing.

Emma x