Monday, December 22, 2008

Indiana


Indiana is the name of our sweet golden retriever. We went to the breeder before he was born and chose the mom & dad of the litter & then specified the sex. He was born on Dec. 27, 1999, & at five weeks old, we went and picked him out of the litter. We had to wait to get him until he was eight weeks old. Our three children were gone that weekend and we had him waiting when they got home; he was such a beautiful puppy. Since that time, he has brought us tremendous joy & love. Even though he's a big dog, we wanted him to be indoors with us so we could really have him as part of our lives.
This is the dog that loved everyone & knew no stranger. We used to say that if anyone ever came in the house to rob us, he'd say - Come on in! Party's here!!. My daughter came up with the idea of introducing him as - This is Indiana.....Indiana Bones. Pretty cute, huh, especially since we were all Indiana Jones fans. My DH used to take him out in the truck with him sitting on the console watching it all. Of course, that seat didn't last too long as he grew.
He loved to escape from the outside door & comb the entire neighborhood, as we're attempting to catch him. Of course, all it took was for someone besides the family to call him or be outside. Our neighor's son became the pro at going to get him, for which we are eternally grateful!
Indiana became afraid of the dark or thunderstorms after several years, though we never knew which one exactly started it. Sort of a vicious cycle. Then he'd park himself right by your side or under your feet if he could. He would have given anything to be a lap dog, but he just didn't fit.


His breath would absolutely knock you over, but he loved you! I used to say, who needs men when you have Indiana. He'd burp, snore, poot, roll around, and whimper while he slept. Mooching or scarfing food was one of his favorite pastimes & he was good, really good at it. It all started when my son had made this really great sandwich he'd been looking forward to. He went to answer the phone and left it on the counter. Well, you guessed it. When he turned around, no sandwich & innocent Indiana is licking his chops! We learned to never leave food in his range or hold something in your hand by your side. He could beg with the best of them by simply looking at you and edging closer. I don't think he ever got full in his life. Food was always something to bargain for, especially peanut butter.
He was always waiting for you at the door with his tail wagging 60 mph. Indiana loved for you to pet him and would sit perfectly still or lean so hard against you, because he relaxed so much, that he would just about knock you over.
He used to be terrorized by our seven pound demon cat (he was 70 pounds), but he figured it out after awhile. She'd whip up on him and he'd just sit there and take it. She'd sail on him and attack his jowls and bite the mess out of him, until he finally got tired of it and trapped her with his paw. Too funny and you'd think he'd have killed her to hear her screech. But then she'd go back again.
Indiana's favorite thing in the world to do besides eat, was to play with DH & DS. They'd get on the floor and wrestle, roll, and heaven knows what else. You'd have thought he was eating them to listen to him growl and bark, but it was all play. He slept in DS' room whenever DS was home and it was always his "safe" room. If there were a thunderstorm or power outage and we weren't around, he'd head up there to stay. Later, when DD was home, he'd sleep in there, too.
This Sun., early in the morning, we unexpectedly lost our sweet dog. His last act at home was trying once again to mooch some food off someone when he collapsed. After the trip to the emergency vet, we learned how bad things really were. There was little warning, and he'd been fine and running around as he always had. At least we know that he was happy and had no suffering. We had to make the decision to let him go and at 5:30 AM Dec. 21, six days shy of his 9th BD, we said good-bye to Indiana.
Strangely now, our house seems so quiet. I didn't realize how often I heard him moving around if I were in another room. He'd shake his head & I'd hear the collar and tags. Funny the things you don't think about beforehand. While we are all really sad about our loss, I know how privileged we were to have him for the time that we did. He was one of the best examples of unconditional love I think I've ever seen. My DH used to tell people jokingly that one of his goals in life was to get his wife and kids to love him the way his dog did. :)
Even though we've had dogs in the past and may do so again in the future, I don't know if there will ever be one quite like him. So I feel blessed to have had him as part of our family. He will never be forgotten.

28 comments:

imnverted said...

So sorry for the loss of your furry child. {{hugs}} to you and yours.

Terry said...

Carolyn, I'm so sorry for your family's loss. He was a beautiful "little guy" and I know you will miss him.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to read about your loss, how you speak of him brought me to tears

Ashley (The Euphoric Stitcher) said...

I am so sorry for your loss! I know how hard it is when you lose your pet. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

He was so-oooo beautiful! In the photos his eyes reached deep into my heart. I would have loved him, too. Now think of the Rainbow Bridge and that he will be waiting for you there.

Emily in NC said...

So sorry to hear about your fur baby. It was a beautiful story about how you got him. Hugs to you all.

Shari said...

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Indiana. How hard it is going to be for you this Christmas. Hugs to you!

Donna said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I have lost pets before and it is never easy. But when you have one that is as special as yours was, then that is really hard.

Beth said...

Oh, Carolyn, I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face. I'm so sorry Indiana is gone. He wasn't that old! Kasey is just 2 1/2 years younger. My mom is in the process of adopting a Golden from GRREAT (Golden Retriever Recsue Education And Training). Indiana sounds so much like Kasey. We always say that Kasey won't bite, but she'll lick you to death.

I'm so sorry this happened so close to Christmas, but I hope you have a happy holiday otherwise. As you said, Indiana didn't suffer. He'll be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.

Love,
Beth

Meari said...

What a beautiful dog, Carolyn. I'm sorry for your loss.

Sharon said...

Carolyn, I am so very sorry to read about your loss, how beautiful he is, I love his name, how cute it is, I was reading your note and was smiling all about the wonderful things you wrote about him. He reminds me so much of my Maya who is a Yellow lab who is just 1 1/2 years old. Then when I read you had lost him I just was so stunned. What a terrible thing to lose him so suddenly. I will keep you and your family in my prayers, and that you find some comfort in the memory of being loved by such a wonderful dog.

GoldenAngelsWorks said...

He sounds like a wonderful addition to the family. I am sure he will be missed greatly. He looked like he was the best friend of all friends.

Kathy said...

Reading your posting brought tears to my eyes. Your Indiana had a number of similar traits as my late Maggie. My heart goes out to you all in your loss of Indiana. He will be waiting for you all with that tail whipping at the Rainbow Bridge.

Unknown said...

I'm sorry for the loss of your wonderful dog. I wish all dogs were like Indiana. Hold on to those memories as they will be very precious to you in the coming days/weeks/months ahead.
Hugs to you my friend.

Jinger said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved pooch, Indiana Bones. It sounds like he died happy. I know you will all miss him.

You have added even more wonderful music to your blog. Love the Phillips, Craig & Dean song. Very pretty version.

Lana said...

I'm sorry to hear of Indiana! This post made me cry! =( ::Hugs::

Irene said...

Such a wonderful tribute. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Unknown said...

my heart go out to you, I really can
relate you, and your feelings.
this name I use is a combo of 3 dog I had to put down not of old age but of some aliment disorder.so to charish them for what they where I
combine there names into one.

omashee aka Barb said...

I cried as I read of the loss of your beloved Indiana. Your family will be in my prayers as you mourn. What a wonderful tribute you have written. You and he were very lucly to have had the wonderful years together. I know he will be greatly missed.

Tracey said...

I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful and special friend! (((HUGS)))

Threads and thoughts said...

I'm so sorry to read about the loss of this beautiful creature. It was so nice to read this tribute to him, it was really drenched with love.
Edith

Ruth said...

Hugs and condolences. Here's to 9 years of happiness, snoring and mooching aside.

Felicity said...

Hugs.

Jennifer said...

I'm so sorry for your loss - he sounded like a wonderful dog.

Anonymous said...

Carolyn, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am sitting her crying all over again, missing my dear Speckles. She was my 13 yrs young dalmatian who passes on Sept. 7, and like your beloved Indiana, she had no clue she was a dog. You really don't realize all the noises they make until they are suddenly gone. Maybe our fur kids have met at the Rainbow Bridge and are romping in the grass and telling each other stories of their humans!
Kristen

Karen said...

Carolyn, so sorry for your loss of indiana. i know you will miss him he is probably playing with our pepper now. (((hugs)))

Gabi said...

Carolyn, I feel deeply sorry that you lost Indiana. Your post was absolutely beautiful written, I had to read it twice and it brought tears in my eyes. He was a beautiful dog. That he didn't suffer will be a comforting thought.

Courtney Short said...

Sorry for your loss.. our pets become almost like people (sometimes better than people) to us.. May God comfort you and your family.