Sunday evening our dog, Bear, was nowhere to be found. We called to him and finally decided he must be out hunting. I noticed on Monday morning, he still hadn’t come home and I immediately knew he wouldn’t be coming back. He was never away this long.
Dan tried his best to convince me he was out chasing some girls but I knew he just wanted to make me feel better. That evening we found Bear’s body in a nearby pasture by the fence. (We later determined/think he died of a heart attack or something, there were no other signs but old age)
The waterworks that I thought had subsided, came flooding back again. I was so sad to lose such a good dog. Such a good buddy!
I miss his soft ears, the loose skin around his neck and the way he brushed his head up against my leg wherever I walked. He was so loving and was a friend to all! He also knew how to give me those puppy-dog eyes too!
He unexpectedly came into our lives about six months ago, showing up at our doorstep when we moved back to the farmhouse full-time. We finally decided to keep him and at the time I didn’t realize how much I needed him around. He was now my one and only co-worker. We would get the mail together, go for walks over our lunch-break, and check cows with Dan when he got home. He was a protector, a friend, our first dog together…
He was only here about six months but it was definitely long enough to fall in love with him and want him to be around for years! I never thought I’d have a huge dog like Bear but he was the coolest! I’ll never forget him!
Just a few nights before he died, I got some of my favorite photos of him! He never liked my camera much but he didn’t seem to mind as much that night. He followed us up and down the field rows as we spread clover seed. He always wanted to help out.
With Bear unexpectedly passing, the question of why he came into our lives at all came into my mind. For such a short time he were with us… would we have been better off never experiencing it at all?
Of course, my answer is no, but it didn’t stop my brain from asking the question in that moment. God gives and takes away. The experiences we have in-between build us into who we are and where we will go… it is all a journey of experiences.
God gave me Bear at a time when I needed a companion and guardian and I like to think that now someone else is experiencing that unexpected companionship when they need it most.
Rest in peace, Bear.
XOXO
-Lauren
Oh you brought tears. But how lovely that he died free doing what he loved to do. Oh and you know, we almost always outlive them. And what a great picture you got of him. It’s hard to lose them. Hugs!
Thanks! I know, I told Dan the same thing… it made me feel better knowing he died out hunting around. He was getting old so we knew it would happen sooner or later. You are right though, it is still hard at first. Thanks for stopping by!
sorry to hear this lauren 🙁
Thanks Janie! He was old and I guess his time to go but still made us sad. Never thought I’d have a dog quite that big but Bear was the best! Thanks for stopping in! 🙂