Wordful Wednesday—Brotherly and Sisterly Love of the Sweetest Variety!
The only pre-nup T-Daddy made me agree to was getting a dog. This was no small feat for me since I am deathly afraid of kanines in all shapes and sizes. Our first son: a tame but stout, yellow Labrador Retriever named Trooper.
A year and a half later, our first daughter arrived and we gave Trooper the best Christmas gift ever—his half-sister, Parley Noelle. These pups showed us that blood truly is thicker than water, especially every night as Trooper licked Parley's ears to "rock her to sleep" so to speak. It was the sweetest thing! Brotherly and sisterly doggie love :).
So, when Trooper suddenly died last summer, it was painful to watch our grieving Parley learn to enjoy life again without her brother. Things that had her wagging her tail before suddenly meant nothing to her. And then one day, our brother Justin came into town and threw a ball to her. I don't know if it was that he hadn't been around or that she suddenly remembered life could be good, but she jumped up, played fetch for hours, and has been her same positive self since.
This experience made me realize that dogs form relationships, have feelings, and grieve. Not that I have gotten over my fear of other people's dogs, but I am grateful for our dogs and the experience of having them in our family!
Posts
October 8, 2008 at 1:05 AM
What a sweet post. I'm sorry about the loss of your dog though.
October 8, 2008 at 1:05 AM
I had no idea that Trooper died! How sad! I like dogs, so I'm biased. But I have to say those are some cute and sweet doggies.
October 8, 2008 at 1:06 AM
totally SUHWEET post. it is amazing to see relationships form with animals not just with us humans but with each other.
October 8, 2008 at 1:34 AM
sure, why not!
October 8, 2008 at 1:40 AM
thats amazing story.
October 8, 2008 at 1:41 AM
ok. I found an information here that i want to look for.
October 8, 2008 at 1:44 AM
haha.
October 8, 2008 at 2:09 AM
Oh, that is so sad and sweet at the same time!! Everytime I see a lab like yours I think MAYBE I could handle a dog. Maybe.
October 8, 2008 at 2:44 AM
I'm so sorry about Trooper and this was the first I heard or saw of him, but ever since we got Max...all dogs just get to me!!
They are such people, they really are. They have distinctive personalities and I never knew that until I experienced it firsthand.
I'm so glad Parley is getting back to her old self...she'd be a good BIG sister...ehhh ehhh?! LOL!
October 8, 2008 at 2:53 AM
There is nothing like the bond between an owner and a pet. They just give us something another person can't...unconditional love maybe?
Your dogs are beautiful. And good on ya for getting past your fears.
October 8, 2008 at 4:51 AM
very sweet! labs are so awesome.
October 8, 2008 at 5:23 AM
Awhhh that was so sweet to read! We just got a dog a month ago and we love her! XOXO
October 8, 2008 at 5:55 AM
Handsome dog what a waste..see mine if you can thanks..
October 8, 2008 at 6:54 AM
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October 8, 2008 at 6:58 AM
It is hard to grasp the love of an animal when you have fear. I did not really like dogs and married into one when I got married. Thor was "okay" but I did not really love him. Years later we got another dog and because I was in on caring for her so early on I became attached. Cats however scare me so ...won't be hugging on them anytime soon. Great post!
October 8, 2008 at 7:06 AM
Great post and love the story of the bond between your pups.
October 8, 2008 at 7:15 AM
Oh, so sad. I think we really do underestimate the abilities of our furry friends. My yellow lab is very sensitive.
October 8, 2008 at 7:21 AM
We just have stupid cats. But even they have attachments. We have two horrid kittens. And an old cat. He is sooo interested in their antics. And when he doesn't know where they are, he has a different "cry" for them. Their relationships with each other is fascinating.
October 8, 2008 at 7:23 AM
That is a sweet post.
October 8, 2008 at 7:30 AM
I'm sorry about your dog. People don't realize what kind of relationship you build with your pets, they can become much like having a relationship with another human. What a sweet post.
AND, I want to apologize for not showin' my face last night on GNO. Some personal stuff went down and I was "obligated" to handle it. I was all, "But I got places to be, like right over there in that computer chair" and they were like "Yeaokay whateva" But I am sorry!
October 8, 2008 at 7:48 AM
I am so sorry to hear you lost your dog. Its amazing the relationships they form. Our dogs play like brother & sister and fight like brother & sister. I am glad your sweet dog has been able to play & have fun again. Such a great post.
October 8, 2008 at 8:17 AM
Dogs are awesome. As soon as my boys are a bit older we are getting a chocolate lab. :)
I'm so glad you got to see how cool dogs are up close and personal. And I hope it helped just a little bit in dealing with other people's dogs. :)
October 8, 2008 at 8:18 AM
oh yes, the definately have feelings... my sweet gabby throws tantrums every time we leave the house... she is so sassy!
sorry to hear about your pup passing... all dogs go to heaven...
October 8, 2008 at 8:37 AM
Though I am sorry for your loss it's nice your overcame your fear enough to have some dogs of your own. That's a step!!!!
October 8, 2008 at 8:48 AM
oh my word, what sweet hearts!!! My boys would freak over them!!
October 8, 2008 at 8:52 AM
What a sweet post!
October 8, 2008 at 9:01 AM
What a sad & sweet post. Beautiful dogs! I have had similar experiences with my dogs as well.
October 8, 2008 at 9:03 AM
What sweet dogs! I grew up with dogs, but my hubby came from a no pet family. Maybe one day we will have a pet, and it will definitely be a dog!
October 8, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Oh, they are so sweet. And yes, they truly love, don't they? Purer and stronger and more unconditionally that humans do. We could stand to learn a lesson from these, God's finest creation.
October 8, 2008 at 9:20 AM
AWww..I'm so sorry about Trooper.
HUGS!
October 8, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Beautiful post... sorry about Trooper!
October 8, 2008 at 10:10 AM
What a lovely post. As another Lab mommy, you had me in tears.
October 8, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I'm still not over my fear of dogs, but I know animals can form strong bonds. Since our one cat passed away, the other one has never been the same... not even 4 years later. Now he spends his time hanging out with our backyard bunnies.
October 8, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Awww! I grew up with dogs too and my girls are begging me for one. Maybe in a couple of years. Your dogs are beautiful and I'm glad that you, like so many of us, are a compassionate and loving mommy to them!
Btw, got an "international" award for you over on my blog. Stop by & pick it up anytime!
October 8, 2008 at 11:46 AM
do you want another Lab - our is very sweet - I'm just not a dog person!
October 8, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Hey! Comment Spam! YOU ARE FAMOUS now. Delete it, is my advice? You took off the word verify remember?? They are LOOKING For you!
As for the dogs? I sooooooo didn't realize you were a dog family? Two?
We have a cat, and can barely do it!
October 8, 2008 at 12:44 PM
I couldn't agree more. My dog is the light of my life (see the post/picture that i posted a few weeks back)
They truly are a blessing to our lives.
:)
October 8, 2008 at 12:53 PM
that is sad you lost one, but they looked so happy there and your story of their sweetness to each other is heart warming.
October 8, 2008 at 1:32 PM
I was also deathly afraid but can no longer remember why? Why did i wait so long to get a dog?
They most definitely worm their way into our hearts. I'm so sorry you lost your furry friend!
October 8, 2008 at 2:14 PM
I am so not a dog person, but this post made me reconsider. So sweet...
October 8, 2008 at 2:25 PM
the doggies are so cute!
October 8, 2008 at 3:05 PM
What a sweet bond your doggies have! She probably still misses him a little. Pretty dogs!
October 8, 2008 at 3:23 PM
We have two yellow labs too. I often hope that if something happens to one the other goes quickly too. I don't know what they would do without one another.
Glad to read though that yours is starting to be happy again! Labs really are the best dogs! Totally biased, but still!
October 8, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Awwwwww... This post makes me want to get a brother or sister for my 1 year ol Chocolate Lab!!
October 8, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Oh, what beautiful dogs! I am sorry Trooper died! One of my dogs is getting waaaaay up there and I am dreading that day. :(
October 8, 2008 at 7:53 PM
How sweet and sad. I love dogs, although we don't currently have one. They really do bring something to a family, though, so one day...
October 8, 2008 at 8:45 PM
What you say about dogs having feelings is so true. I'd love to have a dog, but our house is too small for one right now. Hopefully soon our family will grow by one.
And I'm so sorry about Trooper.
October 9, 2008 at 7:08 AM
Gotta love our furry little family members...glad your girl got her groove back ~ we can learn a lot from our four legged friends*!*
October 9, 2008 at 7:14 AM
You're a good wife Jyl!! The dog prenup would have been a deal breaker for me. I guess that's the Deenie in me. I love your post about your taxi ride. I totally remember you doing that, it was so scandelous!! Do you remember when grandma had the taxi pick up Wende & I, Kristen and you and take us all to Tri-City Mall and we sang "I am a Child of God" to all the other taxi drivers on the CB? And then we went to lunch and grandma was trying to get us to eat the decorative parsley on our plates because it would "freshen our breath". -Court
October 9, 2008 at 9:56 AM
They are so cute!! RIP trooper.
October 9, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Oh my gosh, I'm welling up cuz this reminded of two of my childhood dogs, Frisky and Sparky. When we had to have Frisky put to sleep, Sparky grieved...for quite some time. He roamed the house at all hours like he was "looking" for her and he would just cry. It was so sad. I'm so sorry for your loss of Trooper. He looked like such a sweet boy. (I LOVE labs...my boy Tucker is a lab and I can't imagine my life without him!).
Boy, I jut realized I was a rambler in this comment! LOL
October 9, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Serious cheat.
In from Cecily R's place.
Busted.
October 10, 2008 at 8:38 AM
So sad to have a loved one die...I can't imagine how an animal feels when that happens...so glad she is happy again..makes you think...I felt bad after our cat had kittens and we HAD to give them away...1 of her babies comes back to visit every now and again and I see the pure joy they have together..Sad and Happy all in one!!
October 12, 2008 at 1:17 PM
fear of dogs must run in the family!! funny!!Props to you for letting the hubby have a dog and loving them too (by the sounds of it). I love dogs, but I know we'll probably never have one...I married a non-animal person , something I said I'd never do. Oh, well, that's love for ya!
October 12, 2008 at 2:37 PM
How sweet but sad. Our dog is definitely our baby, too. As I write this, he's trying to wriggle his way up on my lap.
October 15, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Oh how I hate/love dog stories of death....my hubby married my (already made) family of me and my two labs. They slept with us and were indoor dogs. Since we had kids, they are outdoor. I just can't handle the hair....i better stop - I should post on this! :-) (don't worry - they are still alive) Hehe. Great, yet sad, post!
October 15, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Awww, what a touching post!! I'm so sorry you lost Trooper. And I can't imagine how sad his sister was. Our sweet Annie means the world to us. We love her so much. Beautiful dogs!