for callum - my old dog
still hangin' on in there
By an unknown author:
I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear.
I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.
Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle.
You smile at me, I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time?
That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be with me. So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh, so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes, that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still, the love, is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.
I may not be here tomorrow, I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed tears from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry with yourself that you did not have just "one more day" with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me.
We have NOW, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough, we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or "trainer" or even "Mom" or "Dad" but as a living soul, and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes, and talk.
I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with, someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a "dog on two feet"--I know what you are. You are a human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still.
Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world and let time slow down, if only for fifteen minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper in my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, and life is, so very short. We have today.
With much love, Your Dog
Found at KLFY TV 10.
I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear.
I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.
Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle.
You smile at me, I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time?
That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be with me. So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh, so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes, that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still, the love, is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.
I may not be here tomorrow, I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed tears from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry with yourself that you did not have just "one more day" with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me.
We have NOW, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough, we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or "trainer" or even "Mom" or "Dad" but as a living soul, and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes, and talk.
I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with, someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a "dog on two feet"--I know what you are. You are a human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still.
Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world and let time slow down, if only for fifteen minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper in my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, and life is, so very short. We have today.
With much love, Your Dog
Found at KLFY TV 10.
25 comments:
Aaaaaw. Thanks for this and for the sweet picture.
Saint Laika, pray for us and especially today for Callum.
Great shot of Callum, MP.
Now, if you'll excuse me, there's a pair of soft brown eyes I need to look into and a squeeky duck toy I need to throw.
How is Callum doing? How about an update. I have two dogs, 11 & 13, struggling towards the finishing line. Deeply depressing at times, particularly when one or the other visible deteriorates.
For those of us possessed of a cat or two or three or four (as here), I make regular time in my day to play with them, listen to their purrs, and simply enjoy them. Thanks for that reminder.
A great, but sad, children's book on this theme is "I'll Always Love You" by Hans Wilhelm.
Our lifestyle does not allow for cats or dogs right now, but as the regulars know, I do keep fish. Alas, one of my bettas (Siamese fighting fish) is very old and very ill and I need to euthanize him today. This is a very sad job for a fishkeeper but he's clearly miserable and blind now, and it is the kindest thing I can do for him now.
Synmpathy, please, for IT and for Chulalongkorn. Once I post this I will take him into the lab and put him to sleep.
(for those who want to know, the prefered method is to anaesthetise him with clove oil, and then once he's asleep, add alcohol to eliminate his breathing.)
(one of my male friends offered to chop off the fish's head. I'm sure it would be quick but I just couldn't bear the thought!)
Bettas are very personable fish, they interact with their humans, and have distinct personalities, much more apparent than the average tank fish. That's one of the reasons I have so many of them. But they generally only live 2-3 years.
IT
Prayers for Callum. (he's still a handsome old dog) and for you, IT, on this sad day. I know that you will miss Chulalongkorn.
That's excellent advice from "Your Dog".
My son's cat, Stormy, will return home today after several overnights at the vet's. He was critically ill, but has recovered, thanks be to God. Their two cats have been a great comfort to my grandchildren since their lives were turned upside down by their parents' divorce. When they get home from school, they make a beeline for the cats.
Thank you Mimi. He went pretty peacefully, as far as I could tell.
Meanwhile, the remaining bettas are vigorously "wiggle-dancing" for their breakfasts, so I had better feed them!
Warm thoughts for Callum, of course, and all the other sweet old dogs out there.
IT
I was late for work today because of this. I had let the dogs into the backyard one more time before bringing them in so I could leave for work. And then Jackson had a tennis ball in his mouth and he looked up at me with his big brown eyes like "please?" And so I had to throw the tennis ball for a good ten or fifteen minutes for him.
And now I feel guilty that they are at home and I am at work.
Argh.
Glad to hear that Callum is still hanging in there.
We get to see Callum, how about a photo or two of the humans in his life.
As resident Mexicano, I declare that this is blog coming out week, with real photos!
IT,
I DID want to know. Thank you and sympathies.
Any betta fish with the name Chulalongkorn has lived well.
I remember that fish as a child actor in "The King & I".
Chulalongkorn is the name of a King of Siam. Siamese fighting fish, geddit?
IT
David, I beat you to the punch. I'm out.
Mimi, I have been out for weeks. And Fran has joined us. Dan has always been out since I have been here, with Erika and a few others.
This is a very moving post.
And Callum is clearly a sweet, sweet dog.
Thank you.
IT, I was very interested in what you had to say about bettas. I've been thinking of getting some but I haven't had fish since I was a child and don't know much about it.
May Chulalongkorn rest in peace and may you be comforted.
:wipes tear:
Ellie, bettas are about the easiest fish you can have. As long as you have good habits and keep them clean, no filtration required.
1) Tank: keep your fish in a small tank of at least 0.5 to 1 gallon of water. Some aquarium decor will be appreciated by your betta, who likes a safe place to hide and sleep. Use aquarium-safe décor from your local pet store (stuff from outside can have toxins). Bettas are air breathers so they can survive oxygen-depleted water. This is why they don’t require external filtration, but they do need a good sized surface area to breathe. Your betta is also a jumper, so keep a loose lid on his tank or else you might find him on the tabletop.
It is possible to teach your betta to take food from your fingers, or come up for a gentle rub, if you are willing to take the time to interact with him.
2) Bettas do not require filtration or heat, as long as you keep them in clean water at a consistent room temperature. Dramatic temperature changes are a problem, but a constant temperature that is stable between 70-85°F will be fine. If your house gets much colder than that in the winter, consider investing in a very small aquarium heater. We strongly recommend bottled spring water. Do not use de-ionized or distilled water which lacks necessary salts and electrolytes and needs to be treated with aquarium salts and conditioner. Potable tap water can be used but must be dechlorinated (e.g., with Novaqua, Biosafe or an equivalent product from the pet store). Change your betta’s water every week. Net him into a small container with clean water in it, and rinse his tank thoroughly to wash out uneaten food and debris. You can pour him back into his bowl. This will take at most 5-10 minutes and is the key to a healthy fish. NO SOAP!
3) Bettas are carnivores. Bettas will readily eat too much, so you need to resist their wiggles, and avoid overfeeding. “Betta bites” are pellets that are an easy choice (2-4 pellets/day, depending on the size of your fish). A healthy fish can easily go for 3-4 days without eating (such as a weekend, making him a good office pet). If you want to give him treats in addition to regular meals, you can visit your pet store for goodies, such as frozen brine shrimp, dried bloodworms,or various fancy flakes.
4) Plants your betta cannot eat a plant to survive. He needs enough space, and especially, enough air surface to breathe. Plant roots can block his air access. Most betta “vases” are not appropriate for bettas because they block the surface and he can't breathe.
5) Bettas are aggressive and territorial, and males generally cannot be kept with each other.
IT
Thanks SO much for all the tips, IT. Everything you said is very encouraging. I'll go to Petsmart on Friday (my day off) and take a look!
Blessings on all the dogs and cats and fish and birds, etc. and the people who love them and are loved by them. Thanks for the photo of handsome Callum.
Some lucky betta will have a great home, Ellie! Just remember that they can't be kept in a communal tank with other bettas.
Of course they are pretty miserable in those little cups in the pet store. Avoid fish that are listless.
Look for one that seems alert and interested and even may flare his operculum (spread his gills aggressively) when he sees the fish in the next cup. (you can move the cups a bit and see if they wake up and get lively when they see the neighbors).
Buy some spring water (NOT distilled, but spring water) from the supermarket; or if you plan to use tap water, remember to get dechlorinator solution from Petsmart (i prefer the spring water for my bettas since they don't get filtration).
If you are buying a bowl, gravel, a plastic plant, or any decor, be sure to rinse it first before putting the fish in it. I recommend some pet store tank decoration like a fake rock or castle or something that gives the fish some shelter for sleeping; make sure it's not too big for your bowl, however.
And don't forget the "betta bites" for your fish to eat.
Here's a picture I found online for people who wonder what a betta looks like. This fish is flaring his operculum which looks like a beard under his chin. They grow to about 2-2.5 inches body length though it takes a long time to get that big. The late Chulalongkorn was enormous, nearly 3 inches from his nose to the base of his tale, and in his heyday a vivid cardinal red. There is enormous variation in color and fin shapes.
IT
Oh, thanks again, IT! This is exciting. That's a gorgeous picture you found.
I'm going to start out with one in my office. I know just the spot. Then if I can figure out a way to protect the betta from the cats I'll try one at home too!
Have fun!
Oh, and don't forget a fish net. You will need to net him when you clean his bowl/tank. If you keep the cup he comes in, that will be useful to put him in when you are cleaning. Remember that you can't see the most dangerous thing in his bowl (the build of up ammonia over time) but if you rinse it out every 7-10 days it won't be a problem. Clean fish bowls = healthy fish.
IT
Awww. Sweet Callum. Pet him for me, Maddie?
{{{IT}}} I derive comfort believing Chulalongkorn will swim to meet you in the Great Tank Beyond (even if you don't believe it, IT! ;-/)
JCF ---Spent the past week worrying about an (abandoned :-( ) cat whom I've been trying to find a home for. Sweet lil' bit of an orange-tabby boy.
Good luck with the kitty, JCF.
Thank you for the sympathy. It's distasteful to kill an animal, even if it is the right thing to do. Of course, death of any living thing is sad, but there is no comparison between a fish and a dog or cat in terms of emotional investment and the trauma of death.
Fishkeepers get used to the deaths of fish. I won't even mention the spawn of nearly 100 baby bettas of which only 2 survived...
IT
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