Friday, September 18, 2009

big dogs = big tears








against my better judgement, i just finished watching Marley & Me with my little one.
i swore i would not watch any movie where the dog, a yellow lab none the less, dies at the end.
but she was home from school & feeling puny so i gave in.
i was crying before the sad part even began...i knew what was coming.

my girls are very protective of me
they know i can't handle sad animal stories
do you remember Mighty Joe Young?
he was an ape for crying out loud
clearly make believe
but i bawled like a baby

Spirit..the movie about the horse
why the writers felt that every possible crisis should happen to this one sweet horse...
well, needless to say
i was a wreck in that movie theatre
the girls still talk about how loudly i was crying

but back to the point
i cry over any sad thought, sad movie, sad song, sad commercial about animals
but especially ones about dogs.....big dogs in particular

blazer
chelsea
bailey
brinkley

black lab-adopted from the pound
yellow lab-full blood purchased from a breeder
great dane mix-found as an abandoned neglected puppy
golden retriever-adopted through the golden rescue

each one of these wet nosed 100lb'ers has had a special place in my heart

the black lab, blazer, was sick when we adopted her from the pound. they warned us she was soon to be put down. we took her anyway. she accompanied me as i trained for 10k's. everyone stopped us as we ran & complemented her perfectly shiney coat. the sweetest black lab i've ever seen.
i have a terrible memory -often forgetting what were apparently major events , but i'll never forget that call from the vet telling me she wasn't going to make it. i don't think i had ever cried that hard before.

chelsea the yellow lab. we all loved her so much that my parents went back to the breeder that same weekend & bought her sibling for themselves....maggie. mom & dad deeply loved that dog. we wanted a companion for chelsea, a golden retriever was the plan. but chelsea's last day with me was just like john's with marley.....why did i think i could handle this movie?

again, it amazes me how i remember this ( because i really do forget everything!)- but a few weeks after bringing chelsea home, my husband called me at the hospital where i was working to tell me he had found something & that he'd show me when i got home. i arrived that night to wet kisses from a huge "puppy" with a brindle coat and enormous paws. she quickly stole our hearts & became my next running partner. everyone loved bailey, my brindle great dane mix. she was such a perfect dog.
those two sweet doggies outlived their expected age.

years later we finally did get that golden retriever.
i've told his story before
here....
& i'm serious when i tell you he his the best dog ever
he doesn't bark
he doesn't chew
he's never had an accident
he's my latest running partner
& he follows me everywhere

A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about?

How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special?

How many people can make you feel extraordinary?

john grogan from Marley & Me






please tell me you have a face like this that greets you each time you walk in your door....
{{& if you live in Atlanta , you can go here & truly obtain a dog with a face just like this}}
& even though they occasionally drool
their unconditional love is like none other



~ Brinkley~


the dog who truly does make me feel extraordinary




a little peek at what brink was up to this afternoon...

42 comments:

Jen Kershner said...

Poor you! I just can't make myself watch that movie. I'm so happy to have my Millie girl to spend my days with. She is laying by my feet right now but often she just sits behind me, leaning her head against my back while I'm on the computer. I should blog that sometime, huh?

a.love said...

you made me tear up with your Marley stories of your own pup! You are so lucky to have such a GOOD doggie and best friend!! :)

Amy said...

I was such a wreck in Marley & me that I think I cried myself to sleep that night. Golden retrievers are the dogs of our dreams but I am not sure that my heart can take the weight of love I have for these gentle giants.

Unknown said...

I have never even owned a dog but I cried like a baby at that movie!

Lovely post Paige.....I want a dog!

ellieshine said...

oh, I love your sweet puppies just from your description of them. I'm a sucker for big dogs as we have our second labrador (black). I think they are angels in disguise :) I cried at that movie too.

Great post.

xo ellie

Jboo said...

Yep -- cried in that movie too! Your doggie sounds so special!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Janet

Farmgirl Paints said...

I agree 100%. Dogs are the best!! That movie moved me. I thought about it for days later. Just loved it. Have a great weekend Paige.

Cstargel said...

The boys would love to have a puppy and everytime they ask, I just tell them "we have a puppy! Her name is Annie - your baby sister!!!!" Maybe when she's in Kindergarten (and they all sleep through the night) we'll adopt a dog-

Anonymous said...

I too watched Marley and Me and cried like a baby. I have 3 wonderful dogs, Neyland the black lab, Darby the boxer and Sophie the chihuahua. I love them like they are my babies.

Rachel said...

Dogs really are the best pet. They are really like family members.

When I read Marley and Me three years ago, I was living with my parents and woke my parents up from my crying as I finished the book. A week later she read it, and woke my dad up with tears. John Grogan really hits the nail on the head in this book. There is nothing in this world that will love you as unconditionally a a pet will!

Anonymous said...

Oh I just love your blog!!! I can hardly wait to see the next installment of what the girls are all up to. I know you have said you need to work on your parenting skills but from my computer you are doing a great job. Give yourself a pat on the back!!!

I had a precious kitty that belonged to my dad. After my dad passed he became my baby. He developed diabetes and kidney disease. I kept him alive for 2 1/2 years with countless insulin shots, fluids and sometimes daily trips to the vet.
I cried like a baby when he died so I understand your compassion for pets.
I probably will never watch Marley an Me!!!
I have a new kitty that I love dearly but there will always be a soft spot in my heart for JJ!!

Have a great school year and lots of fun.

Unknown said...

My beloved golden retriever, H, died as we were driving back from Wyoming - I knew he was getting older and I wanted to take him out there for one last romp to all his favorite haunts. We spent 2 weeks out there and as we drove through Chicago, on our way back home to Michigan, he died in a splint second. Final, immediate, smiling at me and I at him - I happened to glance to the seat beside me at that moment. What a beautiful, bittersweet moment it was between us... and I know that there will never, ever be a big-ole-lumpy-rug like that golden, H. He was a rescue dog, and another rescue dog found me a few weeks later - Tenzing. Another special boy... I think he and H would have been great friends.

Shawn Seay said...

I have not seen Marley and Me. But, I do have an awesome Golden Retriever. Our Tobey is the best dog ever. We also have a Yorkie, but she isn't near as loyal. Tobey won't even leave the yard if he goes out and the gate is open. Love all of your candles in the fireplace...you captured another good picture;-)

melissa said...

I read the book (sobbed), but haven't seen the movie. Just don't think I can take it again!!
I LOVE dogs and my 2 pups are my best friends:). Especially Murph, the rescue dog. He is just the sweetest.
Love reading about all your dogs - we have had quite a few too.
Your Brinkly is just beautiful!!

Have a great weeken, Paige!

Anonymous said...

seriously paige, all of those pretty candles in your fireplace with your puppy. looks like a christmas card! Well Oscar is my first dog (4lbs not 100) I tried to take him on a 3 mile run and ended up carrying him the last mile. Everyone laughed at my little puppy running by my side. He is a cuddle bug. always on a lap. Always at your feet. I don't know why I never had a dog before.

SeaWorthy said...

Are you for real, either?

Nice to find you out here in the big wide world of bloggers. Although we dont have a dog in this family of mine, I grew up with one, best fun in the world.

Love you space here, I will be back. give that sweetie a little pet for me...all the way from the beach.
Lisa
coastal nest

Tracy ~Seeking Refinement~ said...

OHMY. This is so TRUE! We have a golden, too. Hank. He is truly the light in our life! I watched Marley and Me a little while ago with my daughter, too. We cried together..it was so sweet, and I know made us think of our sweet Hank!

xoxo to your doggie, too!

The Flying Bee said...

What a sweet doggie!

I am so like you when it comes to sad songs and sad movies, even birthday cards from my hubby make me cry! I cry at commercials, too! It's bad, girl!

Loved hearing about all your doggies.

xo,
Adrienne

Cori said...

I would NOT watch that movie either for the same reason!! Love my sweet fur baby, although she would make me carry her if I made her a running partner : )

I saw a prayer in a pet store that is just perfect:

"God, please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am."

Janean said...

I'm a sap when I watch animal movies...even CARTOONS. Sheesh! lol.

Debra said...

I haven't been able to watch that movie. My daughter asks every so often and I just can't do it. There's nothing like having a good dog friend.

Anonymous said...

I love your dog Brinkley, such a handsome one!
My parents used to raise Golden Retrievers in Omaha, Nebraska.
I have had several Goldens in my life-LOVE them! But now I live in Florida and Goldens have a tough time with skin problems down here. So I switched to Australian Shepherds, we have 4 of them. Can you believe they can retrieve also?
Yep, they do! I will get a Golden again...someday soon I hope. They can steal my heart as a puppy and have it for a lifetime. You are so lucky to have him! Beautiful dog!
Thanks, JolieAnne

Unknown said...

I am the same way...I just cannot watch sad animal movies! They really get me...I was a mess after Spirit too! Brinkley is adorable and I am so glad you have each other..

annie

tara said...

I agree 100%...dogs are amazing creatures. Your stories make me tear up, I can't handle animals stories that end up badly...it kills me, my husband is the same way...I was a mess when I watched Marley and Me, but i also loved that movie for many reasons..! Happy Monday Paige!

Kasey said...

thanks.
off to get some tissues.

Sharla said...

I have 2 9-year-old golden retrievers at home and I echo everything you say - such special animals. We bought the Marley & Me movie - was I really thinking I wanted to cry over and over again?!

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Okay so I don't have a face like that... and my daughter is the worlds biggest dog lover and she is BEGGING me daily for a dog just like this... can I handle it? Can my yard handle it? Can my budget handle it? Can my sanity handle it? Can my housecleaning handle it?

See why I haven't made the plunge? You are very convincing though... and I know I'm going to have to take this plunge eventually...

What if we get a dog that likes everyone in the house but me?

Is there a dog-owner whisperer? I think I need him.

RobinfromCA said...

I can't watch that movie. Like you, just knowing the end is too much. I am a dog lover and they are such a source of sheer joy. There are a few breeds, however, I said I would never own but, through unforeseen circumstances, one of them is now the darling of our household. We are head over heels for our sweet little Chloe - including my husband who thought that if dogs weren't big they weren't dogs. I think God gave us dogs to show us love and to make us smile.

Sarah said...

I can never watch that movie! We are on our 5th golden. And I'll still cry croc tears talking about our 1st!

There is no better companion than a Golden Retriever. My only wish is that their life was longer.

Unknown said...

Now you've got me crying just reading this...I have not seen the movie, nor will I, because, like you, I CAN NOT HANDLE sad movies about dogs! I still get choked up thinking about the day our (my parent's) family dog was alive - how she couldn't even walk anymore and we had to carry her to the vet...Sadly, there won't be any dogs in our future as my son is very allergic to both their fur and their saliva. Your sweetie is a gorgeous dog!

:) T

Anonymous said...

I have not seen the movie. We lost our golden to cancer in 2005. I cried beside her for hours when we knew what was coming. Oh how we miss her. I cried torrents when she had to be put down. I have a little post of her on my blog sidebar. She was our girl. And my heart melts just seeing Brinkley. We have a crazy dog, otherwise we'd have another golden. Even the cat knew when we lost our girl. It was tough. Thanks for your wonderful post.

PS~Erin said...

Oh dear. You've got me crying now. I went to see this movie not even thinking abt the possible plot line. Oh. My. Goodness. I bawled and was a wreck from the moment that dog laid his head in her lap after her miscarriage I was completely gone. It seemed to follow our married life together so well. We lost both of our dogs (miniatures schnauzers) in the past 2 years. Our first babies. We miss them dearly. I haven't been able to get past it enough to want to adopt another furry baby though. So much heartache. But so much love.

Julie Harward said...

I could have simply signed my name to this post...we are on out 6th golden, his name is Cougar..You've got to come see him at my blog! He is huge and not even a year old yet. I walk 3 miles everyday and have done so for years..with golden's..how I love them!
(www.circlecliffviews.blogspot.com)

Julie Harward said...

P.S. (sorry)..but I took my teenage daughter to see Spirit..I cried, wiping my tears on my shirt, didn't want her to see her Mom crying over an animated movie! Turns out, she was doing the same thing! :D

Rebecca said...

hi paige! i hope you don't mind but i tagged you in a little post that is did today...c'mon over and check it out!!

traci said...

that was a sad movie - i cried - the ugly cry. dogs are the best. currently we have 3 that greet us everytime we open the door. they are spoiled and worth it.

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Beautiful dog. I was balling during that movie too and right after we saw it we rescued a chocolate lab that is such a doll! Love your blog, haven't been here in a while - the girls look beautiful!

Jennifer Paganelli said...

Your writing is so exquisite!!! I feel so loved when I stop in..its such a wonderful calming place...

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