The
Pain Of Loss Is Like No Other
If you
haven't felt the pain of loss that I am feeling now, then I pity you
for never having experienced what can only be described as true
“unconditional love”. Earlier this morning I suffered the loss of
one yet another dog that was not only very special to me, but
exceedingly special even amongst dogs. Most dogs are obedient, and
many are loyal, but few go beyond that that express a level of love
that most humans cannot even approach.
For
those who don't know, the Siberian Husky is an exceptionally special
breed to begin with. They are far from any common dog, because not
only are they exceedingly intelligent and very personable, but also
because they are both pack oriented and independent. Siberians do not
simply obey a master, they accept you as one of their family (pack)
for life … if you meet their standards.
The
Shepherd-Malamute mix (middle back row) was also exceptionally
intelligent, friendly, and agile, but like the Shepherd-Keeshond (far
right) she was one to just be eager to please by obeying commands.
Even though the Shepherd-Keeshond was fond of back-talking when given
a command, she would comply. And the Min-Pin (center front) was just
happy to please and mildly defiant only as means to garner more
attention. The Siberians are not like the others...
Unless
they choose to comply after you have earned their respect, chances
are they're going just defiantly ignore you, and I firmly believe
much of it relies upon the initial human-dog bonding, or lack
thereof. You don't pick a Siberian Husky puppy, the Siberian must
pick you. If there is no initial Siberian-human bond, there will
never be any bond.
No
need to state that the face of this blog belongs to my most precious
little girl Sheba (left rear). I still say it was divine
intervention, having drained the oil from the car before realizing
I'd used the last filter from inventory on one of my welding
machines, we didn't go for a driven when we intended to because I had
to run to town for an oil filter. Nonetheless, we ended up meeting
Sheba that day, and there was no doubt that little princess ruling
over her brothers instantly picked me at the moment I first held her
in my arms. The poor girl had nothing but problems her whole life,
from a skin infection when she was a puppy, to persistent digestion
and bladder problems, to a couple rapidly growing tumors that had to
be removed. Through it all, she never complained about anything but
being separated from her family. Just like my baby who passed this
morning, she never once a whimper of pain for herself, just concern
for her family right up to the very end.
Nothing
can describe the loss I am feeling right now, because it's been 54
weeks since I lost Sheba and that pain is still cutting my heart to
shreds. More to follow...
