General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFun Fact: Joe Biden used to give out Champ-like stuffed animals to kids.
Vice President Joe Biden give Champ the stuffed animal to Alahy Cerrillo, 5, of Evans, Colorado at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Greely, Colorado, Sept. 23, 2013. More than 15,600 people have applied for FEMA aid so far in response to the flooding, at $19.6 million and rising. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/photos-and-video/photo/2013/09/vice-president-joe-biden-give-champ-stuffed-animal-alahy-cerrillo-5
Dr. Biden has Champ's back.
DanieRains
(4,619 posts)Yes he is!
demmiblue
(36,851 posts)Senior dogs have a very special place in the heart.
exboyfil
(17,863 posts)I lost my very special 15 year old boy (Collie/Border Collie) in November, and it still hurts.
demmiblue
(36,851 posts)While time wears away the edges, the loss can still sting (enormously at times) even years later.
Dogs never die. They dont know how to. They get tired, and very old, and their bones hurt. Of course they dont die. If they did they would not want to always go for a walk, even long after their old bones say: 'No, no, not a good idea. Let's not go for a walk.' Nope, dogs always want to go for a walk. They might get one step before their aging tendons collapse them into a heap on the floor, but that's what dogs are. They walk.
Its not that they dislike your company. On the contrary, a walk with you is all there is. Their boss, and the cacaphonic symphony of odor that the world is. Cat poop, another dogs mark, a rotting chicken bone (exultation), and you. Thats what makes their world perfect, and in a perfect world death has no place.
However, dogs get very very sleepy. Thats the thing, you see. They don't teach you that at the fancy university where they explain about quarks, gluons, and Keynesian economics. They know so much they forget that dogs never die. Its a shame, really. Dogs have so much to offer and people just talk a lot.
When you think your dog has died, it has just fallen asleep in your heart. And by the way, it is wagging its tail madly, you see, and thats why your chest hurts so much and you cry all the time. Who would not cry with a happy dog wagging its tail in their chest. Ouch! Wap wap wap wap wap, that hurts. But they only wag when they wake up. Thats when they say: 'Thanks Boss! Thanks for a warm place to sleep and always next to your heart, the best place.'
When they first fall asleep, they wake up all the time, and thats why, of course, you cry all the time. Wap, wap, wap. After a while they sleep more. (remember, a dog while is not a human while. You take your dog for walk, its a day full of adventure in an hour. Then you come home and it's a week, well one of your days, but a week, really, before the dog gets another walk. No WONDER they love walks.)
Anyway, like I was saying, they fall asleep in your heart, and when they wake up, they wag their tail. After a few dog years, they sleep for longer naps, and you would too. They were a GOOD DOG all their life, and you both know it. It gets tiring being a good dog all the time, particularly when you get old and your bones hurt and you fall on your face and dont want to go outside to pee when it is raining but do anyway, because you are a good dog. So understand, after they have been sleeping in your heart, they will sleep longer and longer.
But dont get fooled. They are not 'dead.' Theres no such thing, really. They are sleeping in your heart, and they will wake up, usually when youre not expecting it. Its just who they are.
I feel sorry for people who dont have dogs sleeping in their heart. Youve missed so much. Excuse me, I have to go cry now."
Hugh_Lebowski
(33,643 posts)exboyfil
(17,863 posts)Stinky The Clown
(67,799 posts)TruckFump
(5,812 posts)This is gonna be a hard loss. He's old and beloved. I have tears just looking at the gentle hand touching him.
napi21
(45,806 posts)good enough to be a "White House" dog! He said he was too scruffy.
TruckFump
(5,812 posts)Scruffy...??? What a dumb ass to call Champ "scruffy."
Even in SoCal, my Wolfgang "fluffed" out in colder weather. Champ lives in snow country...of course he is gonna have a full winter coat.
luvs2sing
(2,220 posts)Champ looks very healthy for his age and very well loved.
TruckFump
(5,812 posts)Well loved, well cared for...!
napi21
(45,806 posts)shenmue
(38,506 posts)Deep State Witch
(10,426 posts)He's a sweet older pooch. Leave him alone!