The Final Four
For the past few days, there have been the Final Four.
Four pups waiting for rides to their new homes.
Five had already taken their journeys, and I've actually received photos of some of them in their new surroundings! When they've all reached their new homes, I'll share...
But this morning, Husker was due to leave.
Husker has held my heart... though all of them have been special, Husker knew his name and would come running pell mell to me when I called.
He'd follow me through the "giant" alfalfa while I'd change sprinklers.
He'd sit and look into my eyes... not at my hands or just my face, but my eyes... and watch me.
He was smart enough to catch onto the rules, but independent enough to see if you were going to follow through or if he could just slllllide by!
He was aggressive enough as necessary... never picking on some sisters, but definitely willing to go a round or two with those sisters that challenged him.
He was my Special Boy.
He is going to a great home, and I know that, as I held out for a good working situation especially for him... but that does not mean that when I held his little head and told him to grow up to be a good cowdog, I didn't cry.
Not just a few tears... but a red-faced, omg-I'm-such-a-dork, crybaby.
I didn't mean to.
I'm sorry if I embarrassed the new owners with my attachment, but I couldn't help myself.
He's a good 'un...
The Final Four now is down to the Terminal Trio... and it just doesn't have the same ring to it!
It's missing Husker.
So am I.
(Bottom right: Husker, bottom left: Stormy, top left: Jireh, top right: Nioby)
Posted by Carol at 7/31/2011 10:01 PM 
Categories: Ranchlife, Dogs, Wyoming
Tags: ranch Wyoming English Shepherds
Categories: Ranchlife, Dogs, Wyoming
Tags: ranch Wyoming English Shepherds
seriously, Carol, why didn't you keep him? I could tell that he was your favorite just from the short videos and pics from the beginning so I really am wondering why not keep one of the pups for yourself from the litter? I am interested
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I have three dogs... technically, four, although Boomer now stays with Daniel, so I've declared him Daniel's dog... Four dogs is too many. Perhaps with couple more years on Elsa and Lucas, and Dally starts showing her age, then it'll be time. Right now, there's not enough work for four dogs... no matter how much I love them.
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I know what you mean Carol. While I don't have the fortitude to raise puppies, I have fostered newborn kittens for the place I used to work. Last summer, no problem. 4 babies came through and found homes. This spring, things were going good until one sweet baby girl came through with her sister. She had an infection in one of her eyes before they opened that rendered the eye unsightly to some. But I loved her. And she loved me. All of the others could come and go and I wouldn't have a problem. But this one, somehow was different. Melody held my heart like no other. And I couldn't keep her. We were leaving for the summer and it wouldn't be fair to her to leave her in a huge house with a stranger to raise her at 3 months old, for 3 months. So she went to be adopted. I cried. And still feel a pang of longing for her company....
Every once in awhile angels come and visit...
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wow, no way could i have let Husker go if i felt that way....i would have been inconsoleable.
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It would be so hard.. Do not know how you do that... I too foster - dogs for our rescue and granted some have stayed... but I work with the kitties.. fostered babies... bottle fed and held the little or big dying ones... It is so hard to let them go either way and I have shed many tears.. Cannot believe how they can take over our hearts & hold on... Husker is gorgeous....
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how does dally react when a puppy leaves?
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Dally is nervous, but she's not a very outgoing dog... so lots of people make her wonder what's going on! She goes around and sniffs everyone and then lays down. She will watch, especially if the pup leaving whimpers, but they usually don't, so she doesn't get too upset. It's *me* that has the problems... I think she's rather relieved to see them go...
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Now you've got me blubbering. Have to go hug all my "kids."
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Carol,
I have wondered about those "moms" who don't have a reaction when one of the packs leave. Husker was special along with the other pups, so it was natural to cry.
My George and Gracie (beagles) came from a farm - their family had no issues with any of the pups leaving. I felt sad for the woman and the two daughters who did not view the beagles as companions but as just a means to an end. They were breeding the beagles to buy more land for the farm.
They were not cruel in any way, but to know the friendship of a dog is to know pure love.
Big hugs from Texas!
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I usually tear up... but I only bawl like that on the "special" ones! I honestly try to hold it in until the people leave, but I just couldn't this time! That's why I try to really LIKE the people that get my pups... it makes it so much easier to send them on their way! Husker's new family is great, but I'd take him back in a split second if they didn't like him! Well, I take ANY of my pups back... but you know what I'm trying to say!
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It's interesting to me how many kitten bottlefeeders you have on here. I am one as well and know how some you have a special bond with. There is one that I raised & found a home for as my house (and budget) was at its limit, but I still think about him & wonder if I shouldn't have kept him. Tears have been shed over others that I've fostered as well as over those that didn't make it. And tears started to well up as I read your blog knowing exactly how you feel.
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I like the idea of being able to share this exceptional breed of dog... that I'm letting people have that special bond with a great dog. Everyone should have that kind of relationship that Lucas, Elsa, and Dally have given me... I could easily be the Crazy Dog Lady...
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Thank you so much for the picture of our puppy! I needed that today. I'm so glad to know that all of them are loved by you.
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Wow Carol you are stronger than I. I would have kept Husker. I hope when I'm 80 years-old that I'm not that "crazy lady with too many dogs".
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