In memory of the best dog ever….

[jen judkins]

My best dog and friend, Dax, died tonight.

Dax was a australian cattle dog I rescued in Colorado 15 years ago. Meant to be my husbands companion, she was left with me when he left suddenly, years ago. We’ve had a very special relationship ever since, as you can imagine.

She was a sensitive type of dog, right from the beginning. I was so used to big dogs as a kid, I was conditioned to yell and scream at them when they did something wrong. I learned quickly, that you didn’t need to yell at Dax to make your point. She knew every word of english I do, I swear. All you had to do was frown abit and she would know you were unhappy with her and she would hang her head in shame.

She has never needed a leash or a collar. Loyal to a fault, she would never leave the vicinity of the house, even if I wasn’t home. I had as much control over her at liberty as anyone had with their dogs on a lead. She was the best dog I ever knew (and I’ve had dozens)!

Her only vice was a love of herding. You can’t really call it a vice, more like a genetic program. She was indestructable as far as I could tell. She loved to chase my gelding, Manny and over the past 10 years they have had a sort of love-hate relationship. They literally talk to each other over the fence. Manny has inflicted his fair share of pain, believe me. He has knocked her senseless (reads I thought she was dead) twice, broken her jaw, her ribs (flail chest…another near death incident), kicked out several teeth requiring a root canal on an incisor. She presented to me with a torn lip and a ripped open shoulder on two occasions. I stitched her up at the barn without any anesthetic…no leash, no help from anyone else. She was a really stoic girl!

A few years ago, the Vet talked me into a ultrasound for a heart murmur that Dax has had since birth. I’ve always resisted…in my mind if she is happy and running, what’s an unltrasound gonna make me do differently. But I guess I was curious. The cardiologist called me personally…she had a fatal heart defect that should have required surgery many years ago in order for her to survive. Miraculously, there was no evidence of heart failure or arrythmia, so the heart specialist simply gave me a list of symptoms to look for, as surgery was out of the question for a dog of her age.

A year ago, she started coughing….congestive heart failure had set in. After a week at the hospital, she stabilized. The vet was very pessimistic, saying she wouldn’t live past a week or two. They had never treated a older dog with this condition and thought the end would come soon. A month went by then two, and she was back to chasing Manny about. He seemed much less interested in hurting her though, maybe it was my imagination. The past year, she has had no symptoms at all….just alittle slower than in years past.

This weekend, we had 9 dogs at the house, with my family here for the holidays. Dax ran and played and did all the dog stuff a pack of dogs do. Tonight after everyone left, she ate dinner, napped on the couch (she is the only dog allowed on the couch) and then lay at my feet, while I caught up on my email, which was her habit. I looked down once at her and she was lovingly playing with our 3 lb yorkie puppy. I smiled. Then she died…just like that. Her breathing became irregular, and the light left her eyes and she was gone.

I suppose, it is the nicest passing I could ask for…given how special she was to me and how miraculous her life was. I will miss her soft fluffly coat. I will miss our hikes in the woods. I will miss her mischeivious way of taunting Manny (and I believe he will too). I will miss the way she would rather stay with me than run off with the other dogs. I will simply miss her space in my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hug your loved ones! Jennifer.

[dominiquer60]

Jennifer,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. We should all be so fortunate to pass that peacefully without much of a struggle. It’s hard to let go of such loyal friends, especially the “once in a life time type” like Dax, they are easy to forgive and impossible to forget.

Here’s to all the best dogs ever, may they fade fast and rest peacefully.

Be Well,
Erika

[Carl Russell]

I’m sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing. I hope you can find solace in those wonderful memories.
Take care, Carl

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear….most dogs are better people than most people are.

[TaylorJohnson]

Ms. Jennifer,
I am so sorry to hear this for you, it is hard to lose one like that she sounds like a dandy. You will be in my families prayers tonight for sure. Those little cattle dogs sure have a way of getting to you , like you said they are devoted to a fault at times. Take Care and I hope you get another good one soon. Taylor Johnson

[Drummond Fraser]

Jennifer,

Our heart goes out to you. Most people can only dream of having a companion like that. It sounds like both you and Dax were blessed. The problem with having a friend like that in your life is the enormity of the hole they leave behind. Our deepest condolences for your loss.

Drummond and Amanda Fraser

[Plowboy]

Sorry to hear about your dog. I had a Lab x Beagle when I was a kid that had a similar condition I think. I was working away from home when she was 11 or 12 and stopped into the farm for a visit. My parents told me I better go say goodbye to “Bear” as she wasn’t good. I ran to the barn and she lay still on a pile of hay her breathing shallow and her body cold to the touch. I spoke to her and she grunted and lifted her head. I sat in the hay with her for an hour until she became still again. This lasted for three days until one morning when my parents were milking one of the cows that had already been milked tried to come back in the barn which she hated. Dad said he heard her familiar snarl and bark and looked to see what he thought must be Bear’s ghost chasing a cow. She came back wagging her tail looking for praise. Bear lived 2 more years until a similar attack when she passed away. We’ve had many dogs over the years and each was different but they are all special in their own way.

[Robin]

I know how you feel. I have lost several “best friends” over my 65 years.
One was hit by a car on Christmas Day when I was eight years old. Will never forget my “Bucky”. She was there when I was born. Lots of tears over the years. I always thought as one gets older these losses would be less hurtful….not the case.
I send my sympathy!
I now have a collie “wanna be” and one of her pups. I am sure the pup is part hound. A real handful. I got them from a rescue group. They needed a home an I needed to fill my empy spot. I am sure one day I will shed a tear over them, also.

[becorson]

someone, i’m not sure who, said: “Grief is the price we pay for love” . seems true to me. a great price, but worth it.

[Anonymous]

I can relate to your loss. I found out I was pregnant last April. The first week of May my two varmint chasers were hit by a big truck. This event crushed me, since they sneaked off while I was fiddling with the tractor. My solace is that the universe made me give up two wonderful female spirits for the one that is now my daughter.

[Lanny Collins]

Sorry for your loss. I’m sure the yorkie puppy will miss Dax as well.

[dominiquer60]

Lanny is seems that a spammer has brought up this old post, sorry for any confusion.

[Author]

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