Sunday, July 4, 2010

Living Memory Beethoven Our Beloved Pet.

I brought this little puppy home 15 years ago.  He was multicolored white, brown and tan.  He was fluffy and cuddly.  We decided to name him Beethoven after the popular movie about a St Benard.  He was not a St Benard, but he grew to about 3" tall and became a very good family pet.  In the past 10 years he had attached himself to my husband. If Rick was outside there was Beethoven.  If Rick was asleep Beethoven was usually found laying on his back right beside him. 

Anyone who came over always attached themsleves to Beethoven, he was just that kind of dog, you always wanted to reach down and pat his head.  If he could have talked, he probably would have said "Give me a break quit petting my head and scratch my neck".  When he wanted his backside scratched, he would come up to your hand if it was down at his level and he would move his behind back and forth to be able to scratch the itch. LOL

He loved the Females.  If there was a female in site they ended up carring his puppies.  No fence or window could keep him back.  I still have to pick up broken glass I find where he went through an upstairs window to get to our other dog Sarah to be able to get to her.  The neighbors will never forgive him for getting to their dog through a chain link fence.  He would make some really beautiful puppies, of course they all did not look like him, but he made his share.

Not only did he like to make the puppies, he loved them in so many other ways.  If one of the Girls Mandy or Sarah were hurt or needed any kind of help Like Sarah and Mandy would fight, well Mandy always got the worst of the bargain, but there was Beethoven there to come to the rescue.

I remember one time coming home, and Beethoven was crying and shaking.  Not knowing what was wrong I asked him to show me.  He looked an me and turned and went down stairs, where he immediately went to Mandy and laid his head down on her and kept crying and shaking.  I proceeded over to Mandy to find that she was in pretty bad shape, her and Sarah had been fighting, and Beethoven could not rouse Mandy.  I finally got things under control and told him to stop worrying I was here and would take over.  He laid his head down and went to sleep. 

Beethoven was not a normal dog, I do believe he thought he was human, and maybe he was part human.  He love to ride in the car.  He was not your normal dog who just laid down in the seat and rode, no he would set up in the seat like a human, and if you drove up beside the car, you would be looking into the eyes of Beethoven.  He would turn and look at you as if to say "What are you doing in that car" LOL.  People who drove up beside us would look and then taken a double take, like that is not a person, that is a dog.  You would see them tap the shoulder of other people in the car so they could see Beethoven and you would see them all laugh.

Beethoven took his last car ride at 12:00pm July 3, 2010.  He had wanted outside and I let him out at 9:30 and about 11:00 I let the other 2 dogs in but not Beethoven, this was not uncommon because by now his hearing had gone and it took him a little bit longer to get up the stairs. 

Rick came home and of course he asked where was Beethoven, I said he was still outside and there he was in the middle of the backyard.  Rick said that is not like him and went down the stairs of the deck, when he reached him, Rick said OMG.  Beethoven had a massive heart attack and had dropped to the ground yet he was still breathing.  Rick picked him up and brought him into the house, but Beethovens eyes showed he was not there.  His breathing was labored and Rick just set there and held him.  We called the vet, as we could not let him suffer.

Rick carried Beethoven out to the car, and got in and I drove..  For one lucid moment Beethoven looked up at me and tried to raise his head, as he knew he was in the car and going bye bye, which he loved so much.  He started seizing shortly after that and then the light had gone from his eyes. 

We proceeded to the Vet and I got out of the car and went over to open the door and picked up Beethoven and took him in and laid him on the table.  Rick could not come in the room.  We had the vet to check him for sure and he was gone.

I believe there is a heaven for animals, and now he is with so many of our other pets we have lost over the years.  It never ceases to amaze me how attached we become to these furry creatures.  They are loyal to a fault.  They are like little children, that never grow up.  As much as I have loved my animals, I have made the decision that once Mandy and Sarah are gone there will not be anymore pets. 

This is a special post for all the dog lovers out there, take lots and lots of pictures of your pets, they truly are a part of your family.

To Beethoven, You were a very good friend and you will always be remembered.  There will not be a day that goes by that we will not think of you, may you be playing in fields running and exploring forever and ever.