He's gone now. Had to put him down Tuesday. 11 1/2 years old and his time had come.
The once-Mrs. WineRev took this:
Bogart
We met him when he was going on 2. His father was 120 lbs., which for a Doberman is huge (average male about 85-95; females typically about 70-75). His mother was 105, another lunker, but Bogart grew to "only" 85 lbs; fitting, since he was the runt of the litter. (Some runt!)
He was my first dog (mid 40s) and the kid's first (10 and 7 at the time), and the cats' first (about 4 and 11 at the time.) Fortunately the once-Mrs. WineRev had grown up with dogs, esp. a devoted boxer. She did the training, both his and ours, so we all learned about feeding him, walking him and taking care of his business, how to speak to him in a bold, firm voice (which was an adventure for 7 year old WinRevVER). He liked being skritched around the ears and the water from a garden hose that he could "bite" off in chunks on a hot afternoon and get a crazy drink.
He never really forgot he was the runt or that he'd been a puppy. That made him 85 pounds of rambunctious, four footed, black furred excitement. Off-leash dog parks were reasons for ecstasy. Snowballs caught in the mouth were always fun and yet always a puzzle to him ("where did they go?"). He got to go to church a couple times for a "Blessing of the Beasts". He loved to take long car rides and thought camping was arranged by us especially to give him an adventure for his nose. We found him a great Minnesota dog kennel for when we had to be out of town (Living in the Minnesota Norwegian milieu how can you not love a boarding kennel called "Woof-Dah"!?)
But now he was graying at the muzzle. Older sister WineRevETTE had gone off to Northwestern Univ. and this summer to Germany. Younger brother WinerevVER graduated this spring from high school (and Bogie loved sniffing up absolutely everyone who came to the graduation open house; WineRevETTE took him into the front yard for a game of fetch the stick, which he barked laughing through. His hips kept him from his younger days leaping, but he still did a great scamper.)
A month ago WineRevVER started with great delight at St. Olaf. Two weeks ago WineRevETTE headed back to Evanston to her senior year. Its been since late '05 since I lived at the house of Bogie, my kids and the once-Mrs. WineRev so I only saw him when I went by for a holiday or dropping off or picking up one of the kids. He always barked, always sniffed, usually licked (just to be sure I was me, and, I think, to say "hi").
Goodbye, friend. There are tears for you from St. Louis Park to Northfield to Evanston.
The once-Mrs. WineRev posted:
No more loyal and devoted creature has ever put paw to the earth.
The WineRevVER posted:
Bogie, you were such a sweet dog...Be at peace, love.
The WineRevETTE posted:
The bestest dog a girl could ask for went Home today. My defender, protector and listener. Rest in love, sweet Bogie dog.
Thank you for your loyalty, your love, your joie de vivre.
Lie down.
Skritches ears.
Good dog.
And now I sniff for him, and do a diary at 430 in the morning for him. Goodbye old friend. Be at peace. Bark. Run. May the Creator of us all keep you in his heart....until we meet again.
Yes. A good dog.
Shalom.