Community | November 22, 2011 | 33 comments

Dixie Belle

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Wetdog
The last couple of weeks have been a sad time for me and Riga[German Shepherd].

Dixie was our best friend. We had to put her to sleep a couple of weeks ago. She was getting sicker, and she was not going to get any better. We had to send her on to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for us there. It has been a big adjustment for Riga---she was never away from Dixie more than a few minutes her entire life. And for me, I never went anywhere that Dixie and Riga didn't go too. Dixie and Riga traveled more than most people in their entire lifetimes.

This is a post about Dixie I put on a German Shepherd Dog forum about 4 years ago. It pretty much sums up Dixie. Dixie would go to meet everyone she saw-----and everyone she met was her friend.

-------------" There are some large open lots and fields next door to the motel that Dixie, Riga and I are living at right now. Adjacent is a large parking lot where truckers park their 18 wheelers and either sleep in the cab sleepers or stay in the motel. There are woods and tall weeds covering about half of that lot--and next to that across a drainage ditch that has creek running through it is a large field with tall grass and trees. There are perhaps a dozen or more homeless people who live in the woods behind the truck lot.

Every morning and once or twice during the day I take Dixie and Riga over to the empty lots to run. It is convenient, and I don't have to do a lot of cleaning up.
The homeless people are usually hanging around, and Dixie(miss social butterfly) has to go meet and get attention from everyone she sees. So I get a lot of compliments on what wonderful dogs they are, and everyone has to tell a story about how they had a GSD or knew a GSD once that was such a great dog.

This morning---it's bright, cloudless, and there is frost all over. I heeled Dixie and Riga through the motel and stopped at the office, put them on a stay outside the office while I paid for the next week. It's a usual routine---and Dixie and Riga are perfect even without commands(they know what to do). Lots of people are coming and going----and most of them pretty much ignore Dixie and Riga---a few make a wide berth around them(for no reason other than their own preconceptions).
So, I finished my business at the office, and we heeled across the parking lots to the open fields and woods. I gave them the OK GO, release, and they were both off like shots off into the woods. They were back a few minutes later, and I let them run a little.
As we were just leaving, there was some shouting and a guy waving at me---about 75 yards off---so I waited while he hurried over. It was Jay, one of the homeless people who lives in the woods around there. He said Dixie and Riga had come to their campsite(they live in tents) to greet everyone and give them kisses and get some petting. He had come out all that way just to tell me thanks for bringing them over---they all loved starting the day with a warm GSD greeting and attention.

I thought to myself that on a GSD scale, you are a much better person if you live in a tent in the woods and give them attention and affection than if you drive an Escalade and have Gucci luggage and ignore them."------------------

My Dad used to say, "Try to live your life so that when you have to go, everyone is sorry to see you leave."

By that definition---Dixie led one of the most successful lives ever.

Goodbye Dixie---we will all miss you very much.
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    Community,   Art and Style,   Earth and Science,   Health
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    Love,  Pets,  Homeless,  Dogs,  6 more
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33 comments // Dixie Belle

  • Wetdog
    • +2
      Wetdog  

    • Thanks to everyone for all the kind comments. I really appreciate them.

      Here's one of the little stories about Dixie that is one of my favorites. (I have several more if anyone is interested.)


      McDonald's French Fries

      Yesterday evening I stopped at McDonald's. I have a van and Dixie Belle(GSD) and Enka(Weimaraner) go everywhere with me. It has sliding windows on the sides, and I lock the doors but their windows stay open. As I was coming out headed back to the van, I saw two teenage boys standing next to the van on the drivers side(Dixie B's window). One boy had a large box of fries in one hand, and he was teasing Dixie with a french fry in the other hand. He would hold it out and when she'd start to take it, he'd snatch it away-and then they'd both laugh.

      Dixie Belle has a very mellow and easy going personality that gives no hint of how fast and agile she really is(she's fooled me many times too). After about the third time, just as I came up to the van-------faster than you could blink------she reached out, grabbed his whole box of fries and jumped in the back seat, out of reach.

      The boy stood there in dumbfounded shock as I got into the van. I got in, and he said "Hey, your dog grabbed my french fries!!!!" I said "Yup." and drove off.

      Dixie Belle and Enka ate french fries and I laughed all the way home.

    • 6 months ago
  • attilatheblond
  • onechance
  • PressCore
    • +3
      PressCore  

    • I've had to watch as all my best friends were born, took care of them
      as they grew, shared their lives through joy & pain, had to witness
      their fear as their faculties failed, and even had to guard them &
      watch as they slowly died. That's what love is. It's the responsibility
      one bears knowing they're opening their heart up to such a deep
      emotional attachment, only to have them ripped from you when the
      Lord takes them to return them to the Earth, and Peace. Their lives
      are brief candles lighting your way as their flame burns for a while,
      then passes. The privilege of sharing the mortal lives of such wonder
      ful companions who age 7 times as fast as we do is meant to show us
      that life is precious because it's so brief. But it's also meant to show
      us that their special love is infinite and goes on forever. A Chinese
      sage once taught: " To love another gives one courage, while being
      loved gives us strength " Love can reduce the hardest man to that
      of a sobbing child, because like water it will soften anything to make
      it like itself. Love purifies. It heals all who give it, as all who receive it.

    • 6 months ago
  • PressCore
  • bluestranger
    • +2
      bluestranger  

    • My deepest sympathy to you and Riga. The relationship between people and their dogs is a strong bond. It's said that time is a great healer. That's probably not much consolation for the present but it can give you hope and ease the pain a little.

    • 6 months ago
  • letsliveinpeace
    • +2
      letsliveinpeace  

    • When the ties of camaraderie are abruptly severed, faith and strength lighten the load of our pain. Grief can be the greatest of teachers, allowing us to have more compassion for others. You were lucky to have had Dixie Belle to be a part of your live, all the good times you had with Dixie will remain in your thoughts. I send you my condolences, I know you cannot quickly overcome the grief you feel right now. But in time all wounds heal. Cherish the memories.

    • 6 months ago
  • FLeggplant
    • +5
      FLeggplant  

    • A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

      He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

      After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

      When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.

      He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

      When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'

      'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.

      'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.

      'Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up.'

      The man gestured, and the gate began to open. 'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked.

      'I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.'

      The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

      After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

      'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?'

      'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.'

      'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog.

      'There should be a bowl by the pump,' said the man.

      They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

      When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree. 'What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.

      'This is Heaven,' he answered.

      'Well, that's confusing,' the traveler said.

      'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.'

      'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell.'

      'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'

      'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'

    • 6 months ago
  • Wetdog
    • +2
      Wetdog  
    • FLeggplant:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L1BSnxH4b4

      Great story fleggplant. I believe it originated with an episode of Twilight Zone entitled "The Hunt". I think it came out the third season, in 1960. It is a story about Hyder Simpson and his dog Ole Rip. They went coon hunting and died. The first half of the show, Hyder is confused and hasn't figured out that they are dead yet----where the clip takes up, he and Ole Rip continue on up the road.

      This is my favorite of all the Twilight Zone episodes(and I'm a big TZ fan).

    • 6 months ago
  • dinm76
    • +3
      dinm76  

    • Last year, while mowing my lawn with my dog of 15 years outside with me, I turned just in time to see him hit by a passing car. I never cried so much in my life. I would say be thankful for all the love you had and go out and love another asap. You're lucky to already have another dog to console you. I feel your pain.

    • 6 months ago
  • OlBlue
    • +3
      OlBlue  

    • Sorry to hear. How's Riga doing? From what you write, I know that you are helping her to adjust in every way you can. I've always wondered about what animals are thinking in situations like this. All they know for sure is that one of the beings they love is gone. To where? Are they coming back? Or, maybe they know more than we think........

    • 6 months ago
  • Wetdog
    • +1
      Wetdog  
    • OlBlue:

      ----------" Are they coming back? Or, maybe they know more than we think........"-------

      I have been a breeder, and working dog trainer for over 35 years----i can attest that the vast majority of people have no clue how much dogs are capable of, and how much intelligent, problem solving ability they have.

      Here is an example. I make a potato, cheese and bacon soup that Riga would kill for. One day, I made some soup and had it before I headed out for work. I was running a little late and left the pan on the table. Ordinarily---Dixie and Riga would go into work with me and wait in the van. They'd much rather do than stay home----but this day it was hot and I didn't think I'd be able to find a shaded parking place so they stayed home in the AC. When I got home----the pan was cleaned out as slick as if it had been run through a dishwasher, a four legged dishwasher.

      Riga knows she is not allowed to eat off of the table. So, she must have thought about it while I was gone. I couldn't get mad at her though. She didn't break the rules. She picked up the pan, put it in her food dish and then finished the soup off.

      If they gave dogs law degrees for finding loopholes and ways to get what they want by going around the rules-----Riga would probably be a Supreme Court Justice.

      As for how Riga is handling it. I am sure she knew that Dixie was sick, and getting sicker. She could easily smell it. Dogs can detect cancer. Dogs can detect all kinds of illness by smell. She did not act the least bit surprised when I came back without Dixie. She did not act confused or bewildered. She knew. She was lost and forlorn for awhile----she'd get up and go check the places that Dixie would stay, and then go back and lay down. She missed her----but she did not act like she expected her to come back. I'm pretty sure that she knew. And I'm pretty sure she was mourning, but not expecting Dixie to suddenly be there again.

      As for being able to detect illness by smell. I had a job for awhile going around to nursing homes and care facilities checking charts for charting on patients. Two of my dogs would go with me to the various places and spend the time with the patients while I was checking charts. Liesel(Doberman) and Aunt Pitty-Pat(Smooth Fox Terrier). They pretty much had the run of the facilities where ever we went. They know that there were some rooms that they were not allowed to go into. Isolation rooms---where the patients have communicable infections. They could identify the rooms by the signs and the carts for the isolation supplies next to the doors. After awhile, we noticed that there were rooms that they would not go into even though there were no isolation signs or carts by the door. They identified the isolation patients by the smell. And they could identify the smell, long before there were any clinical signs of infection. The nurses told the doctors about this. A few doctors wrote standing orders that if Liesel or Pitty-Pat would not go into a room---the nurses were to inform them and collect samples for lab tests. The lab results always confirmed what Liesel and Pitty-Pat could tell with just one sniff.

    • 6 months ago
  • OlBlue
    • +1
      OlBlue  
    • Wetdog:

      Wow! Thanks for sharing the amazing stories. It's heartening to hear that Riga is handling it well. You two are fortunate to have each other to share joys and sorrows.

    • 6 months ago
  • Wetdog
    • 0
      Wetdog  
    • OlBlue:

      Thank you olblue-----and thank you to EVERYONE who has looked in and posted.

      It is a big help and relief to have friends who understand and share.

      Riga and I appreciate your thoughts and posts very much.

    • 6 months ago
  • kgMA
    • +3
      kgMA  

    • One of our best friends and long time companion is a 19-1/2 year old mix bred. Although I know his days are numbered, the thought of not having him sleeping at the foot of our bed, begging for treats, or at my side constantly won't be easy to accept. I'm thankful for the loyalty and the love he gave us over the years but shortly after his day comes, my wife and I will head to the local shelter and save one or two abandoned or abused dogs. We believe the loss of a pet can only be softened with the love of another pet. I'm really sorry for your loss wetdog but there are thousands of dogs waiting to share their love with anyone willing to take it. Please save one of Gods gifts. Do it for Dixie.

    • 6 months ago
  • Wetdog
    • +4
      Wetdog  
    • kgMA:

      Thanks kgma----I was rehab officer for many years for Heartland Weimaraner Rescue. All of the worst cases needing rehab and training from 7 states came to me for fostering and retraining. I also worked with German Shepherd rescue. So, I am very familiar with what you are saying.

      Of all the dogs that I worked with, I never had a single one that did not respond to training, attention and love.

      I would often hear back from people who had gotten dogs that I had worked with.

      Every single person I heard from would tell me that they got FAR more back than they gave.

    • 6 months ago
  • kgMA
    • +3
      kgMA  
    • Wetdog:

      "Far more back then they gave" you can say that again.. All these animals want out of life is a little love, some kindness, and companionship! Sadly, many will never experience the love, loyalty, or friendship a dog gives in return. Thanks for your past kindness and help with rescue animals. The world is a better place because of it!

    • 6 months ago
  • Kelly_Balthrop
  • FLeggplant
    • +4
      FLeggplant  

    • When we lose a beloved pet we must try and remember that their lives are much shorter than ours but we will always keep them by our sides in our memories.
      I am so sorry for your loss. I am positive she knew she was loved and truly enjoyed her time on this imperfect earth.
      Hopefully, one day, we will all meet again in a better place where we can live and love each other for eternity.
      Rest Peacefully Dixie.

    • 6 months ago
  • James_King
    • +3
      James_King  

    • So sorry for your loss. I had to put my Skeeter to sleep, after 17 years, a year ago. The hardest thing I have ever had to do. But to see her suffer would have been worse. This year has been the most empty year of my life.

    • 6 months ago
  • Arizona_Huey
    • +4
      Arizona_Huey  

    • Losing your best friend is the worst part about being a dog owner!!! But every single minute prior to that moment are the best part about being a dog owner!!! They absolutely enrich our lives and I cannot imagine a life without them. I am sorry for your loss!

    • 6 months ago
  • kennymotown
  • Wetdog
  • kennymotown
  • PressCore
    • +3
      PressCore  
    • Wetdog:

      I was once privileged to be companion to a family of 5 German Shepherds.
      All dogs are wonderful creatures. Psychic, loyal, and endearing. But being
      of Dutch/German descent, I leaned torward this breed over say Golden
      Retrievers because they're closer to wolves. Though the face of your friend
      looks sad from her pain, you should always take a clue from their V formation
      ears. Vincet omnia amor. Love conquers all things. All my canine family has
      passed to the other side now. There's not a day goes by that I don't think of
      all 5 of my canine family. They were closer to me than most members of my
      human family. I still remember all their birthdays, and likely will to my grave.
      As fantastic as it must sound to non believers, I know I'll see them all again.
      And when I do, I'll see them simultaneously as my photos remind me of their
      canine form...And even more miraculously, in their heavenly form. There's a
      very powerful reason why dogs & cats have saved their human companions
      from burning buildings, and earthquakes. No fire can ever burn hot enough,
      nor oceans deep enough to flood away that reason. Love is INFINITELY more
      powerful than death. As the German writer Hans Wolfgang Von Goethe said:
      " Life is but the childhood of our immortality "

    • 6 months ago
  • Lisayou
    • +4
      Lisayou  
    • Image

    • I am sorry for your loss :(.... I just lost one of my best friends a few months ago. Winston one of my Corgis is also waiting at the bridge.

      Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

      When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
      There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
      There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

      All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
      The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

      They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

      You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

      Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

      Author unknown...

    • 6 months ago
  • PressCore
  • Lisayou
  • Leen61
  • JanforGore
    • +4
      JanforGore  

    • How beautiful Dixie was. I'm sorry for your loss, but you have wonderful memories of her and loved her. That will stay with you always.

    • 6 months ago
  • squarethecircle
    • +4
      squarethecircle  

    • My mother in law has had German Shepherds forever. Despite size they have always been lap dogs for her. I am sorry for you that the time has come to part with your friend. May you have many happy memories to keep her spirit alive...they'll bring you smiles and love forever.

    • 6 months ago
  • Progresshiv
  • WakeUpPeople
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