Good Bye, Good Friend.
It is with a heavy heart and a quiet home that I sit here and write that today I decided it was time to lay my dog Kipper to rest. He still looked great for being 15 years old but his body was aching with arthritis and shutting down internally. I knew this day was coming for a while now as others in my family have had to say good bye to their dogs this past year, but I wasn’t any more prepared, and it didn’t make it any easier. The only comfort my heart has right now is knowing he is at peace and that there will never be another dog quite like Kipper.
Kipper was an awesome dog, to say the least. He was more than just a pet in our home; just like most animals are, he was family, he was a great friend. I could always count on him to greet me with a wagging tale in the morning upon waking or any time I came home. Whenever I was feeling lonely, he would be there to dry my tears in his soft fur and slop my cheeks with wet kisses. There’s no question that owning Kipper was very therapeutic and a major source of happiness for me. In spite of his frustrating antics that often ended with trash everywhere or a trip around the block to chase him, his endless zest for adventure was priceless. That dog would put his nose to the ground and keep on skipping. He taught me every lesson that a dog should, but most of all, Kip was full of unconditional love; his loyalty and compassion for me was infinite—something I will forever cherish. He will forever hold a very special place in my heart.
Some special memories of a Dog named Kip.
- Kip knew a lot of tricks including shake, shake other paw, high five, lay down, roll over, crawl, speak, get your leash, turn around, stick em’ up, bang your dead, dead dog, and could catch a treat off of his nose.
- When he was younger he wold bolt out the door at Dad’s
- He would jump up on the gate and let himself out and often times would be sitting on the front step when I got home
- I’ll miss his howl and his skip
- He went on quite a few adventures, across major intersections and even the interstate
- He loved his hunting roots and enjoyed chasing rabbits, treeing squirrels, sniffing out ground hogs, running off cats,
- He had a nose for everything
- One Christmas he ate a whole pound of chocolates and another it was two pounds of bacon.
- He had a run in with a skunk on one of his outings.
- He was the best napping buddy
- He loved to lay and soak up the sun or by the fire until he would get way too hot and have to move.
- Had a few nick names: Kipper, Kip, Kipper Dog, Kipper Snacks, Crapper Head, Dopey
- A couple other posts about Kipper can be read here
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Good bye, Kipper Dog, until we skip again.
Update after the post:
I can’t say thank you enough, not only for the numerous loving responses to the loss of a good friend, but also to the many of you that helped mold Kipper into the great dog that he was. I know that he touched so many more hearts than just mine—another reason there will never be another Kipper Dog.