I’m so grateful that you posted this. It’s been almost two years since my 15 year old, lovely toy poodle Bennett passed and I have a heart full of longing still. Since then I’ve been dealing with a serious health issue and haven’t been strong enough to care for another dog, not the way I think one should. He left such an emptiness behind even though I have a very full life with much good fortune. But like you are saying, there is nothing like a dog that is mongling and loving his people every single minute of the day. Anyone who wants to understand what it means to truly love should study, with great affection, Dogs.
When my wife died April 1, 2021, I spent a month sitting in a recliner, drinking Scotch and chasing it with beer. I was a mess. I came across a web page of a lady who I lived with 40 years ago. She was a Therapist and I saw she did grief counseling. I called her office, left a message and she called me. She suggested I get a dog, a puppy. I found a rescued Labradoodle. A poor puppy that had been abused. She weighed 24 lbs. I had to watch her every moment. She cost me over 2000 dollars in the first two weeks. She became my constant companion, I had to pay attention every minute. No time to drink alcohol. She saved my life. I am healthy now and am enjoying life. Thank you so much for your friendship throughout my life, my brother in arms ❤️
Jun 30·edited Jun 30Liked by Lucian K. Truscott IV
I sat here reading and nodding through every paragraph. I have had dogs in all the places I have lived and I have been extraordinarily fortunate to have been adopted a year ago by one of the best dogs of them all. I have been told by neighbors she wandered through all the farms in my neighborhood, not making friends, just checking out the lay of the land for a few days before moving on. She eventually made it my farm and promptly sat in front of the barn so she was a very visible big black and white, mostly bluetick, demanding my attention. I talked to her but she was standoffish until I turned to go to the house and she beat me to the front door. I have pictures of the pitiful look on her face when I left her outside on the porch. She slept there a couple nights until I took pity on her and let her inside, not knowing if she would get along with my old dog, was house trained, or what I had let myself in for. She hasn't left my side since. She was house trained, had pretty good basic training and is my protector and companion. People scoff when someone says their dog understands what you say and expect of them, but it is the truth - at least Baylie does. I don't know who or why someone threw her away, but it is their loss. I am one lucky human.
“I’m going to stay just like this pressing my back into your bladder until you get your ass up and take me to the car and go get the damn paper.” Ha Ha Ha and....and as you know, my pooch was right up there too.
Oh man,Lucian, sometimes your writing just takes me to places I should already know I should at least be looking for.
I’ve had dachshund since I was in my early 20s, now I’m 81 with my husband Ralph and our two Dachshunds, Mamala and Tatala. the story you have written about your life with dogs is so similar to mine. I enjoyed it very much.
My wife and I have had four Border Collies in our 41 years of marriage, and we have so many stories of the way they took ahold of our hearts and souls, and helped us raise our kids, and made it damn clear that any other dog who wanted to mess with "their family," regardless of size, was going to have to come through them first---but all four could be such cuddle-hounds. Our first dog, Wolfie, made a big deal of checking out each of kids when my wife came home from the hospital, giving them a serious sniff-over, followed by a lick. It was kind of like a ritual, "OK, this one is now a member of the pack!"
Wouldn't dream of trying to live without one--more often two--and cats as well, and always a horse until I can't sling saddle. It's no life without them.
Our 16 year old dog recently passed and the grief has just opened my heart wide open. Not just for him but for everyone and everything. I want healing, justice, fairness and sanity in the world. Please. Thank you Lucian for your story and important work that you do. Continue my friend. Love you!
I’m so grateful that you posted this. It’s been almost two years since my 15 year old, lovely toy poodle Bennett passed and I have a heart full of longing still. Since then I’ve been dealing with a serious health issue and haven’t been strong enough to care for another dog, not the way I think one should. He left such an emptiness behind even though I have a very full life with much good fortune. But like you are saying, there is nothing like a dog that is mongling and loving his people every single minute of the day. Anyone who wants to understand what it means to truly love should study, with great affection, Dogs.
When my wife died April 1, 2021, I spent a month sitting in a recliner, drinking Scotch and chasing it with beer. I was a mess. I came across a web page of a lady who I lived with 40 years ago. She was a Therapist and I saw she did grief counseling. I called her office, left a message and she called me. She suggested I get a dog, a puppy. I found a rescued Labradoodle. A poor puppy that had been abused. She weighed 24 lbs. I had to watch her every moment. She cost me over 2000 dollars in the first two weeks. She became my constant companion, I had to pay attention every minute. No time to drink alcohol. She saved my life. I am healthy now and am enjoying life. Thank you so much for your friendship throughout my life, my brother in arms ❤️
^^^^^^
Has realized dogs have super-powers! You are one lucky fellow!
I sat here reading and nodding through every paragraph. I have had dogs in all the places I have lived and I have been extraordinarily fortunate to have been adopted a year ago by one of the best dogs of them all. I have been told by neighbors she wandered through all the farms in my neighborhood, not making friends, just checking out the lay of the land for a few days before moving on. She eventually made it my farm and promptly sat in front of the barn so she was a very visible big black and white, mostly bluetick, demanding my attention. I talked to her but she was standoffish until I turned to go to the house and she beat me to the front door. I have pictures of the pitiful look on her face when I left her outside on the porch. She slept there a couple nights until I took pity on her and let her inside, not knowing if she would get along with my old dog, was house trained, or what I had let myself in for. She hasn't left my side since. She was house trained, had pretty good basic training and is my protector and companion. People scoff when someone says their dog understands what you say and expect of them, but it is the truth - at least Baylie does. I don't know who or why someone threw her away, but it is their loss. I am one lucky human.
A wonderful tribute - dogs are the best.
Humans don’t deserve dogs - we can never, ever be as good as them!
“I’m going to stay just like this pressing my back into your bladder until you get your ass up and take me to the car and go get the damn paper.” Ha Ha Ha and....and as you know, my pooch was right up there too.
Oh man,Lucian, sometimes your writing just takes me to places I should already know I should at least be looking for.
Thank you for another great one.
Beautiful, Lucian. This touched my heart. Dogs rule.
I’ve had dachshund since I was in my early 20s, now I’m 81 with my husband Ralph and our two Dachshunds, Mamala and Tatala. the story you have written about your life with dogs is so similar to mine. I enjoyed it very much.
Love their names!
Great names. I agree
My wife and I have had four Border Collies in our 41 years of marriage, and we have so many stories of the way they took ahold of our hearts and souls, and helped us raise our kids, and made it damn clear that any other dog who wanted to mess with "their family," regardless of size, was going to have to come through them first---but all four could be such cuddle-hounds. Our first dog, Wolfie, made a big deal of checking out each of kids when my wife came home from the hospital, giving them a serious sniff-over, followed by a lick. It was kind of like a ritual, "OK, this one is now a member of the pack!"
I love that your dog had to accept each baby!
I just adore this story, Lucian, no matter how many times I read it….and I love Ruby ♥️
And as you know, Ruby loves you too!
Wouldn't dream of trying to live without one--more often two--and cats as well, and always a horse until I can't sling saddle. It's no life without them.
Ruby and Tracy are very lucky to have Lucian. And Lucian is very lucky to have Ruby and Tracy. So lovely.
great article.
and cats are pretty good at that also 😊
Our 16 year old dog recently passed and the grief has just opened my heart wide open. Not just for him but for everyone and everything. I want healing, justice, fairness and sanity in the world. Please. Thank you Lucian for your story and important work that you do. Continue my friend. Love you!
Beautifully written and touching story. I miss my dogs!!🥰
I think Jesus should have had a dog. If anyone ever needed unconditional love...