My new dog

Dear Board,

Thanks once again for all the kind words in response to my post about needing a replacement for my Sidney.

I know some people advised against it, and I certainly thought long and hard about it, but I am currently watching the dog-next-door that I spoke about while my neighbor's are out of town.

Two days into the process I have to say that things are going well.

Avalon is a wonderful dog that just needs more attention than can be provided in a household with 4 young children and another dog.

I realize that two days is a short time, but I am certain that I have my new dog currently sleeping at my feet while I type. I'll post a picture once I manage to borrow a digital camera.

Regards,
Tim Murphy

Congrats, Tim!

This is normally where I put the "toast" emoticon, but I can't seem to find one for this site. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif
------------------
"If firearms cause crimes and kill people, all of the ones I have must be defective."


[This message has been edited by Spud (edited 01 February 2005).]

Tim,
Good news!...If you're happy, we're happy! Sleepin' at you feet already...that's a great start.
Can't wait to see the pictures!
Mike

High Five!

Jim

What type of dog is she?

Dear Spud,

She's some sort of a pointer mix.

She's taller and thinner than my previous Lab, and sort of "gangly" looking. She's white and short coated, with a few grayish spots and dots, sort of like a Dalmatian that fell into a vat of bleach. ;-)

Regards,
Tim Murphy

Tim,
Glad to hear that you have gotten off to a good start. I think things will go well for both of you.

------------------
Eric "nighthawk"

WOOF WOOF!!

Hove fun
Paul
& Jack

My congratulations to Avalon! How long do you estimate it will take her to housebreak you? http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif

That's great news Tim. It sounds like Avalon has already found a place in your heart.


Mike

What's her name? Does she tend to stray when you're outside...by stray is she an explorer that could get lost? Take her to a vet and have her chipped. Doesn't hurt the dog and gives a fool proof method of identifying the owner through the info on the microchip inserted under the dog's skin on the nape of his/her neck.

Congratulations!

------------------
Snow on the roof with fire in the hearth

good deal....

enjoy the relationship,Tim.

Congrats Tim,

Sounds like that dog chose a worthy companion.

Will

Sounds like the dog has chosen its new master. I hope you both fare well together.

Tim,
Good news!...If you're happy, we're happy! Sleepin' at you feet already...that's a great start.
Can't wait to see the pictures!
Mike


Ditto...Ducksterman

Avalon will never relace Sidney. She will only be there next to and hopefully equal to Sidney in your heart. It so nice that our ability to love knows no bounds. Congratulations.

My dog Plugs had no equal, but Wonder has also found a place in my heart. Now wonder is in her last few months of life and I am looking at facing that loss. I feel graced by having two dogs in my life that were that special.

jed

Tom, that is fantastic! there is nothing in the world quite like that love and devotion that comes from our 4 legged friends.....'


and that tail will always be waggin'.....


Leo

Bridger and Piper say "Hi!"

Dear Jed,

I'm sorry to learn that Wonder is nearing her time. I wish you well as your approach that day, and I hope you can appreciate the time you spent together rather than dwell on the time you will be apart.

You did bring up an interesting point, and that is the idea of replacing a dog.

I don't expect Avalon to "replace" Sidney, but I find that I am talking to, playing with, and acting the same with Avalon as I did with Sidney.

When I do that though I often sneak a peak skyward and ask Sidney for her approval. The last thing I want to do is insult her memory.

I realize that sounds ridiculous, but no one ever accused me of being the most logical and sensible person on Earth.

I'm truly glad for the time I spent with Sidney, and I hope that Avalon and I enjoy each other's company like Sid and I did.

Sincerely,
Tim Murphy

Tim, I've had several dogs, and so far, have outlived them all except the latest. I've never gone looking for a dog, never bought one, and never asked for one, but somehow I always seem to wind up with another when my best friend is called to heaven. My current owner is a blond cocker spaniel who just showed up at my house one day and refused to leave. He's been living here for about 9 years now.

P.S., I believe it was Will Rogers who said something like, "If there are no dogs in heaven, I want to go where they went."

Tim,
We are out of dogs right now and miss the last one a whole bunch. I saw where the SPCA had a litter of pointer-coon dog mixes a while back and I never even went to give them a look. I miss our last dog...especially on these cold winter nights. He was better than a hot water bottle or anything else I can think of now. I sort of lost all perspective when I hit 73.

Ol' Bill

Well Old Bill, I'm only a year or so behind you and I think you should hear this...

About 2 years ago a very special Golden Retriever named Lancaster came into our lives here in Arizona in spite of my protests that "it's too damn painful when ya gotta put 'em down, I ain't gonna do that ennnymore...."

I now am back to speed walking 3 to 5 miles everyday, visiting hospitals spreading cheer and watching "my Dawg, Lancaster", do his thing with oncology kids, heart bypass seniors, Mom's in Waiting, etc. etc. etc. The Hospices in the area also know where to find us. I have a new focus in life, and you know what? I don't have time to feel down anymore. Each week I see several situations that remind me of the old adage "I felt sorry I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet". Now, each day I wake up I find myself so thankful just to be able to open my eyes.

Snipe, get out there and get yourself a kindly dog....By the Way, there's a poster on my wall in front of me that sez, "I wish I could be as good a person as my dog thinks I am". I'm trying Lancaster, I'm trying.

------------------
Snow on the roof with fire in the hearth

Silver...what a great quote. I think I'll use that.

Flats Dude...
If you like that one, you should have seen the T shirt I saw a couple of years ago. Showed a guy looking down at his dog and the dog lovingly staring back. The caption was ?Gee, I sure hope he never figures out that I?m not God.?

Silvertop,
I agree with all you said and think that I'll be ready to look around again in a few months. Maybe I'll be able to get in shape too!

Ol' Bill