From commentor Paul C.:
When my ex-girlfriend and I moved to Georgia from Myrtle Beach, just over 10 years ago, she promised her kids that they could each have dogs of their own. They took a long time to decide what kind they wanted and ended up with Border Collies because her son saw one on TV, a beautiful long-haired black and white dog, running dramatically across a field, herding sheep by whistled commands and doing amazing things. It said they were smart, and smart is good, and it said they were affectionate, and that is good too, and it said they were very active, which might be good, so he wanted a Border Collie. My girlfriend reasoned that hyperactive children needed hyperactive dogs. I found that reasoning obscure. We found an ad in the paper and took the kids to pick out puppies. I had my eye on one — a little girl with a white face who came running straight to me when I sat down and held out my hand. The daughter chose that one. On the way out, I whispered to her that it was the one I would have chosen.
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I’ve been a dog person all my life, even though I haven’t had a dog since I was a kid. I know people who rent sometimes get dogs and then discard them when they have to move, but I could never live with myself if I did that. Dogs have a deep emotional commitment to the pack, and that sort of behavior would be nothing short of betrayal. Owning a dog is a commitment for the life of the dog, sometimes longer. I tried to explain to the kids that being smart has problems as well as advantages, and you need to be prepared for them and be sure of your commitment ahead of time because it isn’t right to back out. Border Collies are indeed smart, and also highly active. That means they are a load of fun, and easy to train, but it also means they get bored easily, and a smart, bored dog will invent jobs for itself. This is why Border Collies are notorious for bad habits, frequently are given up by overwhelmed owners, and aren’t happy unless you work with them all the time. Bad habits are not endemic to the breed; they just need something to do. They are high maintenance dogs, with high rewards to be sure, but they are a lot of work. Besides, being herding dogs, they are given to some behaviors, like nipping, that others breeds don’t do much and that many people find undesirable.
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You know kids. With the best of intentions, they got the dogs and, once they were no longer puppies, proceeded to ignore them pretty much of the time. What they really wanted was Platonic dogs who could be relied on to take care of themselves for the most part and, once in a great while, be available for hugging and petting and perhaps the occasional ideal fetch. The dogs, Sugar and Bam-Bam (ok, named by a 16 year old girl and an 8 year old boy), fell into some pretty destructive habits, like creating a cratered moonscape in the back yard and eating the drywall. I did what I could. When I was in Athens, I would always take the dogs for walks, or runs in the park. I managed to redirect their digging behavior. I would try to train them in some basic obedience, and I showed the kids how to do it. But I was only there one day a week, at most, and that simply isn’t enough to have a huge effect. Nobody else held up their end of the deal.
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Nevertheless, I loved those dogs. It surprised even me. They were so sweet, and eager to please and would do whatever you asked of them. All they really wanted was for someone to do something with them. It didn’t matter what. They just needed a job and a companion and they were happy. I looked forward to working with them. I loved them so much I even figured out a way to work their picture into a middle school science book that I was writing at work.
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My girlfriend broke up with me in February when the dogs were about a year old… I missed the dogs terribly. I used to have their picture as wallpaper on my computer monitor at work, but I took it off at that time. I couldn’t bear to look at it anymore, knowing that I would never see them again.
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I bought a house in August of that year and, figuring this was about as stable as I was ever likely to be, started planning to get a couple of dogs. I wanted two because I learned from Sugar and Bam-Bam that it is good for the dogs’ mental health. They are pack animals, and it helps to have part of the pack always nearby. I had learned a lot about Border Collies from Sugar and Bam-Bam and they taught me a lot about myself as well. I had always sort of toyed with the idea of getting BC’s, off and on, but after a little reading I always got nervous about the effort that would be involved with such active dogs. What I learned about myself is that, with Border Collies, that effort is not work. Work is what I do at Tech. Being involved with my guys is playtime. So I started seriously thinking about Border Collies…
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I searched the web to see if there were any local breeders with web pages. After plugging “Border Collie Georgia” into Google, one thing that turned up, aside from breeders, was a group called Border Collie Rescue Society of Georgia, a home and adoption service for abandoned dogs. I thought, “Well, that would be pretty responsible — get a dog that nobody else wants, one that really needs me.” So I looked at the pictures of dogs that they had for adoption. The last two on the page were a brother and sister, 2 years old, who had been seriously neglected, and had only each other now. They were separated in their foster homes for the first time in their lives, and she cried for her brother every night. The guy who maintained the web page was asking for someone to adopt both, if at all possible.
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They were named Sugar and Sam, and I thought “I know those dogs.” I’d know them anywhere. Sugar is the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen; I’d recognize her elegant lines from a thousand miles away. And Bam-Bam has this permanent hangdog expression, but you can tell that he’s up to something. And there they were. Same markings, same posture, everything. I was stunned. Someone could easily have changed Bam-Bam to Sam to make it less silly but close enough for the dog to still answer to it.
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So I talked to the guy that night. He told me that they were very loving dogs, who liked to walk up and put their head in your lap to be petted. My guys did that all the time. He said they loved to be outside. My (former) girlfriend threw them out of the house at 6AM and didn’t let them back in until 10PM. Then, they had to go in their crates. They only ever knew outside. Inside was the inside of a crate. Open the crate, and they always made a beeline for the door. I asked him where they came from. He said they were turned in to the Humane Society in Winterville by a family who didn’t really understand the breed or know how to care for them. They had chewed up some stuff (one of the bad habits my guys developed from being left alone too much), and had in consequence been kept shut up in crates for months. I have reason to believe that Sugar has been beaten. She was for a long time terrified by anything resembling a broom. The people in Winterville had been given the dogs by a relative who lived in Athens. My ex-girlfriend had an aunt and an uncle in Winterville.
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I was 99% sure these were my guys. He brought them over one Saturday at lunchtime, while my dad and I were building a fence for them, and I found out for sure then. They poured out of the back of the truck before he could even get the leashes on and climbed right into my lap. They were all over me. They were my guys. And I was the last person in the world that they knew and trusted.
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They spent the first week I had them curled up on the sofa, as close to me as they could possibly get, obviously secure for the first time in a very long time. There is residual damage, especially with Sugar. She is a very different dog. She is terrified of loud noises, thunder (which she can distinguish from fireworks and can predict from the smell of the air), things that are shaped like a broom, dog crates, and people that are sitting on the floor. She also knows all the major curse words. And it is the actual words, not the tone of voice, which she knows. When I get mad at the computer and curse under my breath, she gets very submissive and apologetic. She thinks I am angry at her. Curse loudly, and she hides. But she is also overjoyed to see me, still follows me wherever I go, and tries to climb up in my lap when she is tired. She also knows her brother by name. Ask where he is, and she will go and get him. Sam shows less damage. He has learned to be much less active than he used to be, but he is still always watching and thinking about the world around him. Give him a chance and he’ll station himself on the porch and study the world in detail. Or sleep. I once saw him sleeping in the rain.
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There is an element of destiny in the twists and turns of this story. Just when I can finally afford a house of my own (I hadn’t even made a mortgage payment yet), so I am as secure as I can ever be in having dogs, is the very moment when my guys need me the most and I can help them out. Then, by pure chance, I just happen to stumble across their pictures at exactly the right time. It is as if they were meant to be with me. There is an old saying that God looks out for children and animals. I haven’t much believed in deities for some time, but perhaps there is an oblique truth embedded in the folk wisdom. I hope so. It would have to be good for my guys, after all that neglect and horrible confinement, to go live with the one person who always had time for them, who always did things with them, whom they know and trust, and who will keep them safe and happy for the rest of their lives. So much in my life has gone awry recently, but being able to do this for such sweet dogs would make up for the lot of it.
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Dogs are good karma.
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***********
Two days ago, suddenly and without warning, Sugar started showing signs of severe vertigo. She was nauseous, refused to eat because of that, couldn’t negotiate the stairs to the back yard, had to try multiple times to stand up, eyes darting rapidly to the right, walked with her legs splayed out or leaning against the walls of the room. It was nighttime and I was scared. I took her to the local 24/7 animal hospital. $300 and a very expensive bottle of what turned out to be dramamine later, I had a diagnosis of “idiopathic vestibular syndrome.” Idiopathic is how medical professionals say “got no clue” without sounding like idiots.
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She was getting better even while I was there but I called to make an appointment with my vet the next day anyway. He’s a damn good vet but he’s on the glide path to retirement, sold his practice, moved far away, won’t be in the office again for a week and a half. I tried another vet highly recommended by a friend.
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He was awesome. He got down on the floor with her instead of picking her up on the table. He explained in great detail what the fancy emergency room doc couldn’t — the most recent research says that these sorts of things are mini strokes. They pass, but there will be more. The real question is why she is having them. Is her blood pressure too high? Does she have heart disease? Her blood pressure was fine but he was concerned about an abnormally slow heart rate. We did x-rays.
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My little girl has a tumor on her heart.
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We don’t know whether it is benign or malignant but it doesn’t much matter. Given where it is, there is no way to remove it. The only real treatment if it is malignant is aggressive chemotherapy.
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So we get to watch. X-ray it again and see if it is growing. I lost my dad earlier this year. I don’t know if I can take losing my best friend too. She always knew when I was sick and would lay beside me for days with her head on my lap.
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Sugar is a good girl.
Ramiah Ariya
I am close to crying. Never had a dog; but love all animals. I hope your dog gets better.
JenJen
Paul, I’m so moved by your story. First time I’ve smiled in a week, after losing my own best friend. Godspeed to all three of you, and to fate, and to dog lovers with hearts as big as yours, everywhere.
geg6
Damn. In tears before 6am.
Here’s hoping Sugar will be okay. This is a beautiful story. And I really want to punch the ex-girlfriend. I know that Sugar and Sam ended up fine in the end, but I just can’t help feeling that way.
stuckinred
Paul, I can’t tell where you are but Woodlands Vet Referral in Watkinsville does an incredible job on cases like your. They are not cheap but they really know their stuff about doggie heart issues,
stuckinred
I’d also like to run into your ex sometime here in the Classic City.
Lysana
Gods. It’s a damn good thing Sugar and Sam have you back.
stuckinred
Dr Jacobs received his veterinary degree from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his post-graduate studies at Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Following a rigorous testing process, Dr. Jacobs became board certified in Cardiology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), the governing institution for veterinary medical specialists in the United States. He spent 16 years as a Professor of Medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and served as a visiting Professor in Germany and Israel.
Odie Hugh Manatee
Best of luck you you and your doggies, especially Sugar. It sounds like you lucked across them just when they needed you most. It’s too bad that your ex didn’t care enough to ask you if you would have wanted the dogs, it would have saved much needless suffering on both sides but especially with the dogs.
Sugar needs someone who will be looking out for her best interests and it sounds like you are the one to do it for her. I really hope for the best for you, your furry little girl and her brother.
SiubhanDuinne
Wow. What a beautiful story, Paul. You and Sugar and Sam are clearly meant to be together, and I’m just so sorry that they had to pay such a heavy price along the way. I do hope Sugar will be with you for a long time — but however long it is, she knows she is loved. Thanks for sharing this story. Love the pictures, too.
stuckinred
@SiubhanDuinne: Up early getting ready for the game huh?
SiubhanDuinne
@stuckinred: LOL. Right. Go Bulls! . . . er, Go Tigers!
Go Bullgers??
serge
Damn. That’s a story and a half…good dogs with phenomenal good fortune. I’d say that both you and they have been blessed.
WereBear (itouch)
What a wonderful story about who we are meant to be with.
I hope this resolves somehow. Personally, I would eliminate grains fro their diet; this source of glucose feeds tumors. And I would hug her and tell her there’s nothing wrong with her heart.
JPL
Paul, My Golden had a stroke at twelve and lived until he was sixteen. If there was and underlying cause, I was never told. After a few months of helping him stand and walk he regained his strength. My thoughts are with Sugar, Bam and you.
@SiubhanDuinne: How’s your brother? I have friends who own a Clemson orange leather sofa, it’s ugly but fans will be fans. lol
bloomingpol
Oh, God! (And I don’t even believe in one.) Don’t give kids dogs. Give them to the people who will really take care of them. Through all the stuff that happens when you are owned by animals.
Anyone, I am glad that they came back to the person they own and that they will get the love and care they need, no matter what.
Keith G
Smile – Sniff – Smile – Sniff
geg6
OT but how excited am I today? Very! I have tickets for the Pens/Caps alumni game this morning (one of my students is interning with the Pens and came through for me). I’m taking my old Lemieux shirt and hoping to get it covered with autographs. I still have a schoolgirl crush on Bob Errey and will squeal like a tween if he comes near me.
BarbF
What a great story with such a sad ending. But your girl is right where she needs to be, with someone loving her and telling her what a good girl she is.
Good luck.
Sarah in Brooklyn
What an amazing story. There is a special providence for animals. I wish you and your dogs all the best. You’re so lucky to have found each other. Good luck.
Ash Can
Oh my, what a story. Hats off to you, Paul C. You and Sugar will be in my thoughts.
Riggsveda
God bless you and your lucky dogs, and bless Sugar. As for the ex, well, she’s made her own hell. Hope the kids will be ok.
sweetgreensnowpea
the universe can be profoundly benevolent and knowing.
may miracles continue for you all!
Lesley
Who could resist those sweet faces? They just beg to be cuddled and kissed.
Your story affected me in the same the way The Incredible Journey did when I was a kid. Thank goodness you and the dogs found one another again. Talk about synchronicity.
I will keep Sugar in my thoughts. Whatever happens, she will be in your care and that’s worth everything.
Thank you for being such a good friend to animals. You three are soul mates, that’s for sure.
SiubhanDuinne
@JPL #13: Oh, how nice of you to ask! Thank you. They did the srgery yesterday morning and sent him home same day. I haven’t talkked to him but my sister has and she says he sounds in very good spirits and not too much discomfort thanks to modern pharmacology. He’ll have a follow up visit in a week, but as of now it seems all went well.
Thanks again for asking. Happy New Year! (Hope 2011 is the year you and SIA and amomanon if she’s still around and stuckinred and anyone else in GA can finally meet up IRL.)
Sko Hayes
After reading this story, I would like to recommend a book I just read over vacation, called “A Dog’s Purpose” by Bruce Cameron. It tells the story of a dog who moves through several lives, and seeks his purpose in life (IOW, why is he returned to Earth as a dog again and again?).
I read the ending of the book on a plane heading to Florida, and cried at several different points. Try being subtle about crying while stuck in the middle seat in a 4 hour flight. Those people must have thought I was crazy.
Anyway, there are a lot of similarities between the story in the book and the story above.
Thank you to the author for giving these dogs a second chance. So many dogs pass through our lives that make such an impression on us, and then disappear, and you always wonder what happened to them.
Wag
In humans the vast majority (98%) of heart tumors are myxomas, a type of benign tumor. Malignant tumors of the heart are exceedingly rare in humans.
I hope the ratio holds for dogs, as well, but do not know for sure.
demkat620
I’m not crying. No, I have something in my eye. Really, its just dust or something, or…
Aw hell…
This is truly a beautiful story and you and Sugar will be in my prayers.
DJShay
Oh WOW! What an incredible story. I’m a cat person, but love ALL animals. I’m just floored at the emotions this story has evoked. Such happiness at finding your soul mates and such bittersweet sorrow at the illness. If money is an issue, maybe we could set up a paypal account for donations? I know I’d chip in a few bucks.
bookcat
Sob! What beautiful dogs! What a good guy you are. I’m so so SO glad you all found each other again. I too want to punch your ex. There’s a place in hell for people like that and I’m not even religious. I truly hope she does well. Argh, crying again…
Southern Beale
Oh, wow. Another weeper and it’s not even 7:30 am yet. Thanks for sharing your story, Paul.
A tumor on Sugar’s heart … the metaphor is not lost on me. Poor sweet thing.
mistermix
This is a beautiful story. I hope Sugar keeps the tumor at bay and lives many more happy years.
sw
Not expecting to weep first thing in the morning before breakfast. I haven’t even gotten out of bed yet. I hope Sugar recovers and you have many more good times ahead. I don’t think I’ve ever had the urge to go find a total stranger such as yourself and give you and your pups each a big hug.
snarkypsice
@Sarah in Brooklyn:
Wouldn’t it be nice if that were true – but if it were true, there wouldn’t be thousands and thousands of animals killed every year because no one wants them.
I am so happy for Sugar and Bam-Bam that this wasn’t the case for them. Such a beautiful story of love and redemption. Thanks so much for sharing Paul C, and for being such a kind man.
Skepticat
I’m so happy that you three are together again, where you so obviously belong. I hope it will be for a long, long time, but no matter the duration, we know that it all will be quality time. Each of this loving trio deserves nothing less.
Ash Can
OT, but Happy New Year to the Aussie and Kiwi commenters!
caune
I am so happy you and the dogs found each other again and Sugar will get the love she needs during this difficult time. Count your blessings because they do outweigh the bad stuff!
Hillary Rettig
seriously, this should be a book. you could publish it via lulu.com or something and sell it via the bj store and elsewhere.
Gina
Holy crap, what timing. I’m thrilled that you were able to find them again – if it were a movie, we’d all be going “totally impossible in real life”.
The heart tumor is the bitter with the sweet. I’m glad she has you again, and being a very aggressively pollyanna type myself, I’ll just believe that all will be okay in the long run.
Oh, and is it bad that I want your ex to DIAF?
Martha
@Hillary Rettig: I completely agree and that’s what I was thinking when I read it. Paul has a lovely storyteller’s “voice”.
Poopyman
As a cat person I have to say — you had me at the pictures up top.
Such an amazing story, and along with everyone else I really hope for the tumor is benign.
@BarbF: Not a sad ending. The end isn’t written, and at worst I think it would be bittersweet.
Cathie from Canada
So many people think dogs are like cats — basically self sufficient and basically all alike. They don’t realize how different dogs are, and how much they need people to love and to love them.
My sister, who trains dogs, says dogs don’t know how long they live, only how well they live. Sugar and Bam are living very well now with you. Thank you so much for this beautiful story.
South of I-10
What a beautiful story, I know the dogs are so happy to be with you. Is sugar the black dog with the white stripe? She kind of looks like my Hannah. Pics are here and here.
abo gato
Sugar is a lucky girl too to have you.
Gonna go cry and hold my girls……
SenyorDave
Our dog, Bagel, had vestibular syndrome. One day I heard a strange noise and woke up at 5 AM to see her spinning around frantically in our room, and then she just dropped. We took her to the animal hospital and she was diagnosed with vestibular syndrome.
Bagel was 10 at that point, and we always joked that she was 10 going on 4. She was an incredibly high energy dog, and loved people (and people loved her). We would take her down to the lake in the summer, and all the seniors just loved her. Our vet once told us that if you didn’t like Bagel you probably just didn’t like dogs.
A lot changed after she got the vestibular syndrome. She mostly recovered, but she became a different dog. She aged almost overnight, and lost much of that high energy. We are almost sure that she suffered some hearing loss, and her balance was always a little off (she was a terrier mix, apparently largely Tibetan terrier, and always had amazing balance and was able to run up and down very steep hills – that was completely gone). She became fearful of strangers. She had always been a loving dog, and she actually became more affectionate.
About six months after she had recovered she began to drool and we took her to the vet, expecting to hear that she had teeth problems. It turned out to be mouth cancer. She lasted about four months, and to this day I think how awful it was that she had to face those two things within a year.
bystander
What a marvelous real life reunion story, Paul. Thanks so much for sharing it. Border Collies rock the house for folks who love to play. How amazing that these two found their way back to you.
The Border Collie we just lost had vestibular syndrome… for years. After the first episode Sadie improved a great deal, but as seems typical, not back 100% to her previous level. She had a bit of a list in her walk but, oddly, could run true. And, was left with a bit of head tilt that really was quite coy. As she continued to age, the effects of the syndrome seemed to intensify, and at 17 other parts of the system began to fail, so it was time to let her go.
Obviously, Sugar’s heart issue may complicate your and Sugar’s experience compared to Sadie. Have my fingers crossed that this growth is benign and that you and she can get on down the road for a good many more years.
No doubt about it. Whatever lies ahead, Sugar and Bam Bam were meant to be with you… And, their lives – whatever the twists and turns – are safest in your hands.
BruceFromOhio
After reading so much shit in the world that doesn’t take a moment’s thought, much less evoke any emotional involvement, I’m sitting here whuffling and snorking like a little kid.
Thank you, Paul C., and may Gaia bless your lands, your life and your friends.
ETA: The first picture nails it – Border Collies don’t just see you, they can see right *through* you if they so choose.
WereBear
Well, that’s not true of cats, either. Cats prefer some degree of independence, simply because they are built that way, but there is a tremendous range of personalities in cats.
I’ve had dozens, met hundreds; no two alike.
JMC in the ATL
I knew you were going to respond to that, Were!
This story killed me. And reinforced me decision to wait on getting a dog of my own until I am done with apartment complex living. I will live vicariously through others for now.
Bella Q
Major good thoughts for you and Sugar and Sam. I am so thrilled that you found each other again. I’m not crying; I’ve got a cold.
JAHILL10
I hope the tumor is benign and your puppy gets better. Poor baby.
Rugosa
You do have a great story-teller’s voice, Paul. Blessings to Sugar. Please post an update.
I’ve known several Border collies who never should have been placed where they were. They need activity, but they also need jobs to do, and a lot of people don’t understand that about working dogs.
Has anybody read “The Art of Racing in the Rain”? It’s narrated by a dog, but he has a great story-telling voice too.
B W Smith
I am a daily lurker who reads every pet story. There are some that make me cry and some that make me laugh. This is, by far, the most emotional pet story I have ever read. Thank you so much for sharing it. Many happy thoughts and good vibes are coming to you, Sugar, and Sam.
BTW, I live in Athens. It’s a good thing you didn’t disclose the exact location of your ex.
Christin
For some reason I have grown to despise it when people say on blogs “I’m sitting her with tears running down my face…”. I do not know when I grew to dislike it so much, but I feel like so many people just write that to appear sympathetic and loving and desperately looking for friends or something. Because two seconds later they are all going LOL!! Hahaha. I know. Jaded as all hell. That is what reading blogs has kinda done to fifty percent of me.
But the other 50 percent of me reads a story like this. And here I am. My eyes are wet. I copied and pasted this story into an email for people I know who just don’t click on links I want them to read to this so bad. For the others, I provided the link.
I looked over at the SO, and he goes “are you crying….” and I said I want to read something for you.
I love this story so much in a way I can’t even begin to explain.
It sounds strange, or trite, but it’s like some perfect script for a hollywood movie.
That’s not why I love it, it’s only because it so so damn beautiful and perfect how they came home again, that if it were a movie, I would go, “see? that’s only in the movies. ”
If it had just ended at the reunion. And we could leave out the end.
I almost gasped when you found out their names were Sugar and Sam.
I kept waiting for you to say, no, they were similar.
But it was not them.
I could say so much more. But I won’t go on and on an on an on.
Thank you for sharing this with this.
Thank you for everything you’ve done.
Thank you for the pictures.
I will never get the image of them out of my head.
I will never forget reading this on New Years Eve 2010.
I can’t believe I dislike an ex girlfriend with this kind of intensity.
Of someone I do not know.
Thank you for being their angels.
And now I can say, I am wiping a tear away as I close this out.
For real.
Christin
For some reason I have grown to despise it when people say on blogs “I’m sitting her with tears running down my face…”. I do not know when I grew to dislike it so much, but I feel like so many people just write that to appear sympathetic and loving and desperately looking for friends or something. Because two seconds later they are all going LOL!! Hahaha. I know. Jaded as all hell. That is what reading blogs has kinda done to fifty percent of me.
But the other 50 percent of me reads a story like this. And here I am. My eyes are wet. I copied and pasted this story into an email for people I know who just don’t click on links I want them to read to this so bad. For the others, I provided the link.
I looked over at the SO, and he goes “are you crying….” and I said I want to read something for you.
I love this story so much in a way I can’t even begin to explain.
It sounds strange, or trite, but it’s like some perfect script for a hollywood movie.
That’s not why I love it, it’s only because it so so damn beautiful and perfect how they came home again, that if it were a movie, I would go, “see? that’s only in the movies. ”
If it had just ended at the reunion. And we could leave out the end.
I almost gasped when you found out their names were Sugar and Sam.
I kept waiting for you to say, no, they were similar.
But it was not them.
I could say so much more. But I won’t go on and on an on an on.
Thank you for sharing this with this.
Thank you for everything you’ve done.
Thank you for the pictures.
I will never get the image of them out of my head.
I will never forget reading this on New Years Eve 2010.
I can’t believe I dislike an ex girlfriend with this kind of intensity.
Of someone I do not know.
Thank you for being their angels.
And now I can say, I am wiping a tear away as I close this out.
For real.
cmorenc
“Lord, help me to become the kind of person my dogs think I am.”
Dogs are the most wonderful non-human creatures on earth, and if properly trained, their human will take good care of them. Mine sure has me well-trained.
I understand your joy with your dogs completely, and am happy for all three of you that, whether through good karma or good luck, you were successfully reunited with one another.
Persia
@Riggsveda: Yeah, I read this and was happy for Sugar and Sam and worried for the kids.
Best of health to Sugar, and thanks for sharing this.
Kristine
I so hope that Sugar stabilizes and can stay around a while longer.
Lucky dogs, that you found them.
Christin
I will also say say this – I read the story aloud to my SO.
I could not get in through it I started bawling.
When I let it rip. I let it rip.
He had to finish it.
And he got up and walked away and was sniffling and wiped his eyes. and pretended he did not.
Your story is so that moving and beautiful Paul
I wish more could see it.
gogol's wife
Incredible story. People are scum. I’m praying for Sugar.
Christin
@DJShay:
I would too DJ – chip in whatever I could to help if Paul needed anything at all. Anything. Maybe we could have a BJ rescue assistance fund or something.
Christin
@Gina:
Gina – we had to look up a DIAF. I asked the SO. He goes huh? I go Die in a fucking accident? He goes NO WAY that’s so wrong. I go yeah, that’s bad right? As I’m trying not to laugh. He goes and that spell DIAFA anyway. So i go to Bing.
Heee. Thank you for being able to make me laugh after crying this much for 1/2 an hour. And I mean laugh.
So yes, now I’m one of those people I claim are not sincere.
Crying one second.
Laughing the next.
And my emotions are all over if the map since I agree with you.
The SO was horrified.
Sydney
reunited: This is potentially heart breaking. Dogs are there for us every minute of every day. I now have 3 dogs; never thought I would have more than 1, and they keep coming into my life.
Sugar will always be with you.
SIA
@ Paul C, this is a story I’ll think about for a long time. It truly does seem like a higher power was directing the show. I’m so glad the kids are back with you, and ex is not. It’s weird because I lived in Athens and know Winterville, and Watkinsville, and all those little towns. Thank you so much for this amazing story.
JenJen, hope you’re mending a bit, most of us understand exactly what you’re going through. Never gets easier, but we can’t live without them.
Violet
Oh, those poor dogs and you are all so lucky you found each other again. What an amazing, heart wrenching, beautiful story. I hope Sugar is okay. You are a good Dad. Thanks for sharing.
Kristine
Read this again. Crying again.
Mickey was like this, too. I thought I was imagining things for a while, but even if I swore under my breath, he would leave the room. He had learned the words.
Damn some people. Just, damn them.
WereBear
@JMC in the ATL: Thank you for thinking of me :)
One thing about dogs; they do vary widely in their needs. Border collies are awful for apartment living; but other dogs adapt quite well.
Great Danes and greyhounds are two surprising choices; yet all they need is a couple of good walks a day, and the rest of the time they love to be couch taters.
Some small breeds can get their exercise needs in your living room. I’ve worn out my mother’s Papillon in 20 minutes with a wiffle ball in a lightweight sock; all without leaving my chair.
Now they can’t be left alone for too many hours a day, and ideally you have two. Dogs are born social and do much better with a pack. But if you are going to be away from home for long periods, no one need suffer the lack of furry companionship.
I recommend two cats.
Two cats arrive from the shelter chipped, vaccinated, and altered. They are the best bargain around. They never need to leave the apartment, and it’s much safer for them if they don’t. They can amuse each other without getting into the trouble kittens do, and will not be lonely.
No walking in rough weather! No flea or heartworm issues! They housebreak themselves!
Now, the only reason people don’t get cats is because they are banking on the swift and unconditional love of dogs. However, cats can be just as affectionate as dogs; if a person simply goes to the shelter, catches a worker’s eye, and requests two cats who are “love bugs,” they will get them.
Then it’s simply a matter of treating them as friends, and you’re all set. Prepare to be outwitted and adored!
I hope Paul & his doggies don’t mind my mild thread hijack in a good cause.
Thus endeth the lesson.
Violet
@Persia:
I am also worried for the kids. If someone would do this to dogs it makes you wonder how they’d treat children. I hope the kids are okay.
Kristine
@WereBear
Nope. Allergies. Hive-raising, lung-filling, throat-closing allergies. Wish it weren’t so. I’ve considered treatment but it wouldn’t matter anyway because King and Gaby are not cat-friendly.
CaseyL
Paul C, you are the very best of good eggs. My heart goes out to you and your babies Sugar and Sam, and I hope the tumor turns out to be non-malignant.
Your story started a bit over 10 years ago. Does that mean you’ve had the dogs these past 8 years? Did Sugar recover fully from the abuse she suffered? Did they both regain their original joyful personalities?
WereBear
@Kristine: Well yes, that’s kind of troublesome. I just meant out of the gate consideration; battling Cat Misconceptions: that’s my game!
And for those with both allergies and somewhat different circumstances; Siberians are known to have possibly the lowest allergy quotient of all cats. And Sphinxes are supposed to be washed weekly!
Joy
Paul C – I believe it is karma that your found your dogs again and they are so gorgeous! Think of Sugar having to go through this with some heartless person. I know you are broken hearted about this, but you are probably the only person in the whole world she trusts and needs right now. And you know the BJ Community – we are always here if you need help. Please keep us updated on her.
BC Lover
Listen to Sam, he knows about the Rainbow Bridge. Thank the Dog Heavens Sugar came back to you for her final days, that was no accident. Your a good man.
JenJen
@SIA: You’re so sweet. It doesn’t hurt less; I’m getting better at holding it together day by day, but I’m prone to suddenly being reminded of something I loved about that dog (I’m surrounded by such things, and so many memories), and I get all weepy again. Probably going to be that way for awhile, and that’s OK. At least there are good, and kind, people out there in the world (like you, and like most of the readers of the dog-blog entries) who understand.
Paul C’s story was like a tonic, though. Just a rush of love and hope from his story; I’ll never forget it, and he told it at a time my heart was aching to hear a tale like this. I’m so very sorry Sugar is going through some rough times (at one time his vet suspected Strider might have had vestibular syndrome and as awful as that is, his actual diagnosis was worse), but what a wonderful gift Paul is giving her. She’s a good girl, and a lucky girl, and I’m pulling for her. Pulling for all of you.
Jane2
Moving and beautiful story….wishing only good outcomes for Sugar, her brother, and you.
JenJen
Oh, and Paul C? I couldn’t possibly know everything about your ex-girlfriend just from this story, but I know one thing for certain: You’re way too good for her, and she never deserved you.
ruemara
You had me from that first, sweet white face happy grin at the second pic and the “dude, why you not throwing a ball or sumthin’?” in the first. Can’t tell how much this moved me, because I believe a pet is taking a baby for life. My advanced senior cat is horrible, mean, wakes me up in full blown startle by screaming into the bedroom and is possibly psychotic. I can’t imagine giving him away and the few times he’s deigned to allow us to just sit and pet him are gold to me. No one should put pets through what Sugar and Sam have been through. And I am damn sure this was the universe putting back together the real dad for these two. I’m also gonna chime in that I’m sorta worried about the kids.
cckids
Wow, Paul C. You’ve moved a lot of people at the start of this new year. The lines about Sugar knowing the curse words & being afraid of a broom hit me hard; when we found our Pom he was the same way. It boggles the mind that people could look at those incredible faces & eyes and strike them. You do wonder how they raise their kids, don’t you? (Insert the line from Scrubs about babies being like dogs that gradually learn to talk).
Anyway, may blessings & miracles be yours this year. I’m not truly on speaking terms with God at the moment, but I do send all good thoughts your way. Wear your white hat proudly.
Luci
Well, this story is well worth a few tears! Like everyone else, I’m crying too. If there is a BJ rescue fund set up, I’d contribute to it. It’s great you got your dogs back, and I’m happy for you all!
SIA
@JenJen: I know exactly what you mean. We lost our beautiful Maggie in Sept 2009 and I still miss her dreadfully. I talk to her all the time and ask her to come back in a new body if she’s at all inclined. Some of them are just irreplaceable.
I’m reposting this in case you didn’t see it on the Strider thread.
stuckinred
@SIA: Aw, what a sweetie.
Yonder stands Little Maggie. . .
JenJen
@SIA: I had missed that, and thank you!!
Peace to your dear Maggie, and may your memory of her be eternal. What a beautiful girl. I can’t imagine there every being a day where I don’t miss Strider, think about him, or want to talk to him, so I feel you.
Happy New Year to you, SIA! And to all of us, and I hope it’s a good one, with good tidings. :-)
asiangrrlMN
Paul C., you are a good man. Sugar and Sam are gorgeous, and they seem so sweet, too. It was meant to be, indeed. What a bittersweet journey. I am sending positive vibes in your direction. Please keep us updated.
@DJShay: Ditto this.
Julie
Your ex girlfriend is a thoughtless piece of work.
I am sorry about Sugar’s condition. It breaks my heart. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, and love her and her brother the best you can.
Cain
@Cathie from Canada:
I’m a animal persons. I have cats because I know that I don’t think I would be able to put in the time to take care of dogs especially when I have to leave to visit relatives in India. It’s already emotional just leaving my cats behind. A dog would break my heart since we’d both feel the same way.
Hell I feel emotional now thinking about the hypothetical dog.
cain
Church Lady
They are beautiful dogs and lucky to have such a loving owner.
SIA
@stuckinred: Thanks stuckinred. You’ve been to Winterville yourself I betcha. All those great little towns around Athens.
@ JenJen, very Happy New Year to you too. You & Strider are in my thoughts.
veralynn
one year ago yesterday, I found out my beagle/dachshund mix had several tumors on her liver. they could remove some, but it wouldn’t matter, it was spreading. she had surgery one year ago yesterday and I brought her home a year ago today thinking she would be gone within the week. I got another three and half wonderful months with her. and if there is a god, it gave her a whole year of seasons in that time span. we had snow, which we don’t usually have. we had spring in January and summer in February. around the first week in March, she started to slow way down….the second week in March, she started to show some pain…small whimperings, nothing big….over the next couple of days it seemed to roll over her like a wave. I took her to the vet on the morning of March 14th and let her go. the night before, she was….it’s hard to tell you the sounds she made and the looks she gave me. I told her a year ago today that I would be there for her and when she was ready, she needed to let me know….I would make sure her life ended as beautifully as she came into our lives.
It was the hardest thing I have every had to do and yet the easiest thing I ever had to do. I would’ve moved heaven and hell to get her what she needed. What she needed at the end was to not suffer, and I could do that.
It has been hard, this year. I miss her everyday, but I know she is in puppy heaven (where I will go too, I’m sure of it) and is waiting for me….she is with her brother and all of the puppies I have had in my life. She is still being a good girl. My baby.
JR in WV
Best of luck, friend. We have 3 rescue dogs, one was mistreated, the others we got a pups.
Good karma to care for one of these little creatures, indeed.
Our biggest dog ran sneak thieves off last spring. He’s an 85 lb brown farm dog, as sweet as can be, except when he knowS (somehow, smell, telepathy, something?) that a bad one has come around. I trust his judgement about people quite well, and regret only that big dogs age so fast.
Take care, love yer dogs, remember that life is a cycle, and that she had the good luck to find you again.
Good 2011 to you and your pack.
JR
moe99
Ah, Paul, you are a good man and your dogs and you make a wonderful trio. I wish you and Sugar and Sam the very best for 2011.
SIA
@veralynn: That takes a lot of courage. I would love to see a picture of her. Beagle/dachshund. I bet she was adorable.
A very wise vet told us once (when we had to let go of a beautiful black lab named Chloe), that when it’s time, you know it, and the dog knows it.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m sure she’s happy and pain-free wherever she is.
CatHairEverywhere
What a wonderful story! I am so glad fate brought you back to your guys. I am so sad for Sugar, but I am glad she is with you while she goes through this. I hope she gets better somehow.
SB Jules
What a wonderful story. Happy new year to you and your pups.
Suzanne Emerson
Great story. I’m a psychic pet healer, and I don’t see any malignancy in the heart tumor. Love her, protect her from negativity, and she will heal. Allow her natural energy to do that. She was wounded by a past event, but she can resolve it.
pjcamp
@stuckinred: Thank you. I am actually in Atlanta, and we have people here who are probably as good as anyone anywhere. Her main vet is at Clairmont Animal Hospital, and seems to know all the latest research. Backstopping, we have Georgia Veterinary Associates, which is like a people hospital. They have specialists in cardiology as well as neurology, oncology, and so on.
She’s in good hands.
pjcamp
@DJShay: Thanks for your thoughts. Actually, a year or so ago, I had the bright idea of buying them pet insurance. We’ll see how that goes.
For right now, those wanting to send a few dollars somewhere should find a local rescue society. They exist for most breeds. The rescue society of Georgia is no more. It was run by a student at Tech and when it graduated, it went away.
But these people:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA327.html
could probably use the help.
pjcamp
@Cathie from Canada: I like that thought.
I’ve tried to help them live well. Thank you.
pjcamp
@South of I-10: Sugar is the small one with the mostly white face. That’s her on the couch telling me its time for bed.
Her brother Sam is a goliath, at the extreme upper end of the size range for BCs, weighing in at 70 pounds. Believe it or not, he was the runt of the litter.
pjcamp
@Violet: I’ll never know. I lost touch with them. Or rather, when I got Sugar and Sam, I sent the daughter an email letting her know that and she never replied. I assume that means they don’t want to talk to me.
I too hope they are OK. They were strong kids and I loved them like my own, but it is beyond my hands now.
pjcamp
@CaseyL: I’ve had them for nearly a decade now, taken them camping many times. They can’t seem to wrap their minds around playing fetch or frisbee or the pulling game, but they do like exploring.
pjcamp
To all:
Thanks so much for your kind wishes. I’ve been out most of the day and just got back. A few notes that aren’t apparent from the way I put the story together:
1. The ellipses covers about a decade or a little less. Sugar and Sam have had happy lives for all that time and neither has had any sort of illness until now. This latest episode with the vestibular syndrome started this past week.
2. Thanks to all who volunteered to contribute to a medical fund. I actually had the brainwave of getting them pet insurance about a year or so ago, so we’ll see how that goes first. This will be the first claim I’ve put in on it. But the rescue societies always need your help so send your nearest one a buck or two.
3. I was angry at my ex for a long time, just like many of you. She took a lot more from me than just what is apparent from the story. But at the end of the day, I can say that I took care of the people I cared about and that is really all that matters for me. I’m responsible only for my behavior, and me doing the right thing doesn’t really depend on anyone else doing the right thing or the wrong thing.
4. On the other hand, the reason she abandoned the dogs was because she lost her house and the Feds were looking for he to pay back some loans. So what goes around comes around.
5. I’m now happily married to a very sane person, who has been good to both me and my dogs.
6. My stepson is a surgeon. That isn’t the same as being a vet, but at least he tells me the right questions to ask.
She’s a little better today. The vertigo seems less, and she even trotted a bit when I carried her out this morning. But she still hasn’t eaten (for two days) so I know she’s still nauseous. I’m calling the vet tomorrow if she doesn’t eat something tonight. She may need fluids.
Her brother Sam is kind of self contained. He wanders around on his own, checks in on me now and then, but mostly he posts himself outside and examines the world. Not Sugar. She goes where I go, and howls when I go to work. She’s been my best friend for the better part of a decade (or a little more if you count when they were puppies in Athens).
I hope she gets better, as many of you said yours did. But if not, if the only thing I can do for her now is to make her feel better for a while, then that’s my job and I’ll do it well. She helped me through some tough times and I’ll do the same for her.
Thank you all again (and thanks Anne). It makes me feel much better to be able to tell the story of how I found them one more time.
pjcamp
I should add someone else, if you’re in a giving mood, especially if you are in Georgia. I ran across these people when I was looking for a 24 hour service for Sugar:
http://www.wellpethumane.com/
They are run by the Atlanta Animal Alliance, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. “WellPet’s Goal is to end Economic Euthanasia”
DogMom
Thank you for telling your story – I am glad that you have had several years of health and happiness together. I had a beautiful red girl who had been rescued and came into my life unexpectedly. She was with me for just over 10 years. She was about 13 when she got sick, weak, dehydrated, but retaining fluids in her belly, nauseous, anemic and giving up. After some time, she had an ultra sound and they found an inoperable tumor in her abdomen – likely to be cancerous, but that couldn’t be confirmed. Nothing my regular vets could offer as a cure ( and I felt they did their best). Nothing in my control except what I could feed her. I found a wonderful vet who gave nutritional counseling and I later found also practiced chinese medicine. I started her on a grain free diet, with lots of herbs, vitamins, minerals, mushrooms and some chinese tea pills. I made her chow in the crockpot, usually chicken and green beans. My girl got her appetite back and had six months of health and energy. She woke up the rest of the pack for morning walkies. Her blood tests improved dramatically (I couldn’t afford any more scans to see if the tumor shrunk). Eventually she slowed down and stopped eating, and her heart was giving out – Those last few months were a precious gift.
wes
your story reminds me of my own border collie, Sundae, who died because of seizures back in 2004. he was only 5 years old :(
i think it was because we expected our border collie to be a nice house dog, content to be by himself (much like how you thought in the beginning). but later on we realized he NEEDED to run around, to chase sheep or jump over crap and stuff. he wasnt content with just the backyard and house, and i think thats maybe why he died (he was a very stressed out doggie afterall)
i wont get a border collie again for that reason, but if i ever get a big ol’ farm or property, i’ll totally get border collies again. and i’ll totally look up a border collie rescue service!
thank you.