Shortly after my grandmother died in 2002, my grandfather got a puppy – a mix of bassett hound and a beagle. His name was Cowboy. He was a little devil of a puppy. We once came into the kitchen to find his head in my father’s bowl of spaghetti, which was on a high table. He’s also chomped on many a shoe and sock in his eary days. Suffice it to say, he lived up to his name. He grew and settled down into the sweetest dog I’ve ever met. He and my grandfather were a matched set; they both needed each other at crucial times in their lives and formed a bond like I’d never seen before.
But seven years (and some 65 pounds) later, it was time for Cowboy and my grandfather to begin the next stage of their lives, this time, sadly, separately. A large part of the reason for our vacation was to help my grandfather get Cowboy on a plan to my aunt’s house in Virginia, where he’d live in the company of my aunt and her tiny dogs — could you see what they’d think of Cowboy, who I sometimes affectionately refer to as The Beast?
Here’s The Beast in all his glory.
It was hard on all of us, my grandfather especially. You never know how hard it is to say goodbye to a pet until you have one, don’t you?
Cupcakes and Cashmere says
i've lost some really close people in my life, but it's just different saying goodbye to a pet. it's a whole different kind of sadness.
Kristin says
It is truly heartbreaking saying goodbye to a beloved pet!
Michelle says
I got to play with a little Maltese last weekend named cowboy.
Losing a pet is so so devastating. I'm still heartbroken about my dog 3 years later.
The Cottage Cheese says
Aw, Cowboy is so handsome! I hope your grandfather will still get to visit with him from time to time. I have had to say goodbye to special pets because it was their time to leave this earth, but I've never had to part with a pet because of a living situation. My heart goes out to your grandfather and to Cowboy. I know this is so difficult for both of them, as well as the rest of your family.