Friday, August 6, 2010

Howie 2004-2010


CNJ here. It is with a heavy heart that I type this. Howie slipped away quietly in the back yard yesterday morning. We have no idea what happened or why, he was just gone. He was a young dog, only about 6 or 7 years old. He too was another rescue, but came to join the pack in an odd way at a time, I wasn't so sure was exactly the right one, but when do rescues ever come at a good time or happen as planned?

Mid December of 2004, JR had just lost his dog Sassie of 15 years. Those two had been everywhere, done everything- together. She went with him on every trip when he was hauling. From here to Washington, several trips to Wisconsin, back to Virginia, she was with us when we went up to Sweetgrass, Montana to pick up a horse from Canada...

Losing her was a tough blow to take. Only a couple days later one of our friends called to ask if we wanted another dog? Yeah, it was kinda sudden. But a couple she knew had found a Husky wandering the streets of their neighborhood and taken him in. They had run ads in the paper, put fliers up all over the place, took him to the vet to have him checked out and scanned for a chip, took him to the pound to see if they had any "Missing Dog" notices, posted on Pet Finder -----> Nothing. Nobody was looking for him. As much as I dislike people like that, I'm glad in this case. Otherwise we never would have gotten to have such a wonderful dog.

This couple would have kept him if they didn't already have 6 dogs of their own and a few of their in-laws dogs as well. So I went to look at him one night after work. Rough guesses- he was around a year old. His paws were HUGE and he was gorgeous! His nails had been done, he had the sweetest temperament and no real manners to speak of. How could I possibly say no? More importantly- How could JR?


Turns out the couple that found him lived on the corner of the next street over and three or four houses down from my sister. We were all supposed to get together at her place for Christmas morning, opening presents and breakfast. So arrangements were made to pick him up Christmas morning around 9am.

JR and I had agreed not to get each other anything. We have this agreement every year, and every year one of us breaks it. Since the giant, goofy puppy was mainly black, I told JR he was getting a lump of coal, about an 80 lb lump, for Christmas. He is Mr. Rotten and he was very likely deserving of such so he didn't really question it much.

Christmas morning we went to my sisters place. Just before 9am I told JR I had to go get his present. I drove around the corner to pick up the puppy who was sporting a giant, sparkly, gold bow around his neck. He jumped in the truck for the short drive back and at one point was in my lap. It's amazing we didn't hit anything on the way! Since the truck is a diesel, we were announced as soon as we pulled in the driveway.

JR came out the front door to get his giant lump of 'coal'... He kept shaking his head at me and hugging the dog. Figures. *grins* About the only question he kept asking me is "What did you do now?"


We tried a few different names before settling on "Howie". Dutch, for Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Dalton- Dalton, Colorado. We already had a Timber and his brother Kodiak. We decided on Howie, because it just seemed to fit. He was just a goofy dog that way and needed a goofy name. He liked to howl too. Howie Wowie fit as well.

Remember the part about him having no manners? Well JR let him in the house one night and he came up to the coffee table. First the front paws were on the table. "Howie Off. Then all four paws were on the table. Howie, OFF. Then his front paws were in my lap on the couch. Howie OFF! Then all four paws were in my lap. HOWIE, OFF! Dammit, you big doof. And there he sat. Pinning me on the couch and licking my face. How can you be mad at a dog like that?


A few strange things happened yesterday morning. JR's watch, the one that needs no winding, has a 48 hour back up if you don't wear it and all that good stuff... It stopped. It was an hour off when he figured it out.

When JR dropped off the girls, my brother & SIL have cd's and bells hanging in their tree over the driveway to keep the birds out and from crapping all over the drive and the cars. No breezes to be felt, yet as he was getting the girls out of the car, the bells directly above him started ringing like crazy. None of the rest of them in the tree made a sound.


Whatcha got there? I wanna see.

Howie will be missed.
He already is.

11 comments:

Dena said...

I am sorry about SUPERDOG leaving. But glad it seemed peaceful. The manner in which he did.
Condolences guys...

Sherry Sikstrom said...

So sorry for your loss, he sounds like a wonderful and special friend in your life. And a lovely goodbye song he played in the wind chimes .Someday, maybe and hopefully not soon but someday you will all be playng and trying to get Howie off your lap again.And a beautiful face like that, just close youeyes my friends , and he will be right there. Tears and hugs

JohnieRotten said...

Sniffffffff!

GoLightly said...

Oh, I'm so sorry, you guys!

he had you for his friends, so at least he had a great big life, short though it was. Lots of rescues seem to be a year old and puppy-ish, like my red girl. Neglect can make them age quicker..

So he may have been quite old, when you go him.
Lucky dog.

Howl on!Great name he had!

GoLightly said...

GOT, gah.....

terrible typist out..

CharlesCityCat said...

CNJ and JR,

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend Howie. He sounds like a very lovable, happy guy.

It is so hard, especially when it is sudden and unexplained, but he will live forever in the hearts of both of you and your family.

Hugs!

cattypex said...

Oh man. :(
I'm so very sorry for you guys!!

*hugs*

Big goofy lovable dogs... he will be waiting to put his paws all over you in the next place someday.

JohnieRotten said...

Thanks guys for the kind words. All three of the dogs lit up howling last night as we were feeding. Seemed strange not hearing Howie in the mix with his deep voice.

We figure between Howie, Rounder, Sassie, Punkin and Kodiak-> they are tearing up the dog park in Heaven. I doubt he has any manners there either.

There will never be another Howie.

rosesr4evr said...

I'm so sorry to hear that you guys lost Howie. It's never easy to bear. I lost my Jesse(Dalmation)6 years ago on August 21st, a week from my birthday. I still miss her and she didn't have any manners either. Dally's don't have a long life expectancy and she was almost 10 years old. I miss her still.

There really are no words that will help to ease your sorrow. Only time will dull the heartache.

Bones for Howie. for you guys.

phaedra96 said...

So, so sorry you lost Howie. It is so hard to say good-bye, and even harder when you do not know death is coming. Can just see you walking into Heaven with a whole pack of beasts full steam ahead greeting you! There are times I feel I failed an animal, but knowing I tried and loved them and they loved me can make me feel a little better.

kestrel said...

Crickets in here...doggone it...campfire, beer, harmonica...
Hope you're having a busy and productive summer!