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| Mr Handsome when he still lived with me |
Beau Beau was a favorite dog of mine. He came to me by way of a roommate, when he was about 1 year old. He was a very tall/large GSD, smart, sweet, and full of energy. When my roommate left, she left her dog...and I already had six (four as fosters).
I have a soft spot for the breed because I grew up with German Shepards. They make wonderful dogs and are simply gorgeous. Beau was probably the most loving one I have ever known; he would wrap around you so you/he wouldn't have to leave. He was very affectionate.
Beau needed a LOT of love, attention, and playtime. You could throw the ball for hours and it still wasn't enough. He consumed more time and attention than the others combined with his hyper, needy, yet loving attention requirements. I felt bad for Beau, being left behind by his original owner, but I had really been his "mom" for so long he was attached to me anyway. It was mutual love.
I took Beau running daily. He was extremely long legged and loved to run. And he loved to chase balls. And swim daily. You get the idea. Often I would load up my brood, boat out on the large lake we live on, and dock at a small island I affectionately call "dog island". It has a little beach, woods, and trails, and the dogs can't run away or get lost.
It was there I would regularly see my neighbors Jackie and Dan. They had the same idea, taking their pit bull Dante out to play. I would see them there often and we had a friendship. Like parents at a kid's playground. They all ran loose and had fun. They knew I rescued dogs, and they wanted to get a playmate for Dante so he would not be all alone. And thus we had a love match. Dante and Beau were about the same age, though Dante was Mr. Chill. Beau was anything but chill- he would "scream/squeal" in excitement every time he saw me. Handsome Beau with a mane like a lion.
Beau needed more time and attention than I could ever give him (1 person, 7 dogs). Jackie worked from home, kids were grown, Dante required very little attention, they lived on the lake (so Beau could swim daily), and yes, Dan was also a runner. They were surprised I would consider giving up Beau, but I always will do what is best for my dogs. Plus I would get to see him often. That was a huge bonus. And this family was a GREAT family. Real dog people like me.
So I took Beau over one day by car, and let him and Dante run around and play more. After an hour or two, I snuck away, leaving Beau to his new parents. I was a little worried, Dante was a stocky lad...and had been the solo dog of the house. I needn't worry. By the end of the first week, they were sleeping together curled up on one big bed. They also would share food bowls. They never once had a fight.
So the years pass, I see Beau Beau and Dante boating around 9 months out of the year with the BEST dog parents any dog could ask for really. And sometimes I would stop by, or they would boat over and let Beau play with mine here at my house. Sam really missed Beau. He looked up to him like a big brother (I adopted Sam somewhere along the same time frame). Beau was so gentle and sweet. Good with kids and other dogs. He would swim out to meet me when I would kayak by his house. He never tried to leave or seemed sad. He was always so happy to see me and my dogs, but when we would separate, he somehow knew inherently that that was his home now. He got more of everything he needed. And I got a little more rest.
I also worried he would be too much for a couple in their late 50s. He will bring his ball all day long for you to throw it. But they just loved him and thought his energy was great. Jackie let me know his hips started really hurting him so he ran less (maybe around age 7). Swimming was always good. And she took him throughout our hot summer months to be shaved so he was never super hot ( he came from MN). They were the best match. Jackie always kept me updated and I am thankful.
It is great when you can see you foster dog (neighbor, friend, or family that stays in contact). I love them all and always care about their well-being. As a witness, Beau probably had it the best. He and Dante were best friends and inseparable They walked together, swam together, rode the boat in front together, slept together, ate together and kept their mom company when dad traveled for work. Nobody was gonna mess with that house. Beau stood taller than me on his hind legs.
A couple of times they would go roaming around the neighborhood (they didn't have a fence) a little too far. Some neighbors would complain but most knew they were just sweet dogs checking out the sights and never caused any problems. Their human parents never lost patience with them.
Fast forwarding, Beau turned 13 or 14 this year. The last two or three years he has looked older (grey in face), stiff, and for three or so years, Jackie would tell me this might be his last. He was not looking so good. And Dante loved him so much, he would go soon thereafter. But Beau was always happy and perked up whenever he saw me. He was endlessly HAPPY and it showed. Dante was much more subdued and melancholy.
I found out this week that Beau passed away, from a tumor on his spleen, humanely put down. I cry every time I learn that one of "my dogs" has died. I had Beau almost two years. I also cry because I know he had a great life, even before me. His first mom loved him. and would visit until she moved again. I cry when some of my friends still remember him, and my mom told me a story of him wrapping his body around her because he never wanted to leave her (true, yard, love, etc.). Beau Beau was a sweet boy who made an impact on several lives and I THANK HIM for coming into mine, being a big brother to Sam (after Harley died), and being the best darn friend Dante could ever ask for in life. Dante had a hard life before he was adopted and you could see it in his face. Sadness almost.
I cry and feel sad too because I will never see Beau again. My sweet boy passed away before I got to tell him goodbye and how much I loved him. But I know he knew. I always did the best thing for Beau. I kept this huge beast as one of my own, and I let him go when there was a better home. I still look for him every time I pass his house or his boat. And that hurts. And it will for awhile.
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| Taken from a photo collage I keep of him |
