The Kingfish had to say farewell to Sophie today. Our tri-color King Charles Spaniel was ten years old when she left this world. She will be missed.
Most, if not all, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are "Type B" personalities. Not Sophie. I must have had the only Alpha Cavalier. She would lick you to death if she took a liking to you and had an uncanny ability to lick your lips if you weren't watching her. She was rambunctious, loved to play rough, and was happy antagonizing another dog by sticking his toy in his face. No fetching a ball for her, she preferred to play tug of war and never quit. She loved to go riding in the buggies at Lowes and Home Depot and became quite the home repair expert. Her talents extended to wine as she was quite the connoisseur as she was a sommelier at Briarwood and Kats. She went deaf at age five but no problem, she simply learned hand signals and learned them well. Her favorite toy was not a toy but one of those bones used in those bone marrow dishes at Parlor Market. She tried to destroy it for six years without success and guarded it more fiercely than anything else she possessed.
However, the dreaded Cavalier murmur developed. She was diagnosed as having a Grade III murmur a year and a half ago. It worsened to a Grade VI murmur at the beginning of the year. Her life became a race against time that will eventually be lost. Lasix, aspirations, medications, all prolonged her life until it couldn't be prolonged. She enjoyed her last day and then her life went out, no pain was probably felt. She was just as feisty this weekend as she was ten years ago.
 |
| Puppy stage |
She was the best little girl a daddy could ask for.
47 comments:
I'm torn between being buried in a family plot mausoleum with my dogs or being sent off in a Viking-style burning ship funeral. With my dogs, too. Either way, my dogs will be involved.
Very sorry, KF. She sounds like an awesome dog. Glad she had a long, happy run with a great family.
There was a man in south Mississippi who was illiterate (he couldn't read or write). His only dream was to send his son W.L. to college. W.L. ran out of money and scammed his dad into sending his favorite dog Rover up to Ole Miss with some cash to get a professor to teach Rover how to read...well, Rover learned how to read and talk and the rest is history.
W.L. had to throw him off the back of the City of New Orleans train because he knew some damaging family secrets. RIP Rover.
@ 11:47 - thank you for defining "illiterate" for us on a web blog.
@ Kingfish - very sorry for your loss. Our dog is a member of the family and I dread the day he leaves us.
What a beautiful tribute to a faithful companion. I think Mark Twain said, "The more people I meet, the more I love my dog." I find that so very true these days. I'd rather stay home with my dogs than be around people some days. RIP Sophie......you were definitely loved!
My mother, raised on a farm, taught us that when a pet passes, we should remember that they are not going to outlive us. We outlive them and the best way we can come to terms with it is to realize that we gave them the best life and love that they could have had. In your family's mourning of your pet, I hope it will ease your pain to remember that you gave this dog love and a good life. That is all we can do.
So sorry for your loss. Beautiful dog that was obviously well loved.
My Dog (Capitalized Dog)will be 14 in about a month---she sleeps on the floor beside my bed, she goes everywhere with us in the backseat,
she is laying at my feet as I write this comment from my office. I don't know what kind of feelings I will have when she goes but I know I will be lost without my Australian Sheppard. What an incredible dog !!!!!!!
Kingfish, I am truly sorry for your loss.
Preston
I'm so sorry :(
The only flaw in a dog is that they seldom outlive their humans. So sorry for your loss!
Sorry for your loss KF. I'm sure your love for Sophie was only surpassed by her love for you.
Sorry for your loss. Dogs are truly our best friend.
Beautiful dog. Sorry for your loss, KF.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful companion. It sounds like she had a great life and I'm sure she knew she was loved.
My condolences to you and to the families of the poor elderly folks who died in the nursing homes down in Florida!
If neighbor does not keep dog off my yard, he will be doing same.
I had to put my long haired black chihuahua down a couple of months ago and I cried like a little girl. My wife went out a couple of weeks later and bought a Toy Aussie. I love dogs. Sorry for your loss.
I'm very sorry to hear this. She was a very sweet dog.
Old dogs.. and children... and watermelon wine.
Condolences-
Sorry for your loss, KF.
I know you're hurting. Sophie was a beautiful dog. I know she was greatly loved, and she loved you. Prayers for you, K.F. So truly sorry.
Sad news, indeed.
Winnie the Pooh said "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Oh how they bless us while we have them. I am so sorry Kingfish...........
Sorry for your loss KF.
So sorry, people that don't have a dog OR cat, can't understand, it hurts!
I lost my dog about 2 years ago. Just can't make myself get another one. She was one in a million.
My deepest condolences to you. I have walked this path three times before and the heartbreak in nearly unbearable. I would rather be with my dogs than most people. Prayers for you and your Sophie Angel.
Gave mine opids I didn't want, created at tree stump Ian trying to get out of yard.
Good dog, Sophie.
SD
Our fourteen year Boston Terrier Butch, died last August. We got Ruby Louise Labor Day a year ago. She has filled the void. Find your new companion quickly. The same but different.
So sorry we have a CKC ourselves and she's just like one of our kids!!
For a moment, I thought I was on Facebook.
Thoughts and prayers in the loss of your four legged family member. May she rest in peace.
So sorry to see this KF. I buried my last dog (yellow lab) twelve years ago and when I finished I told my wife, Never again. Was just too painful.
I'm sorry. I am glad that she was able to move on on good terms.
2:56 is quite the sensitive type. More likely to beat or shoot a dog than feed or pet one.
Condolences KF.
Me and you and a dog named boo
Travelin' and livin' off the land
Me and you and a dog named boo
How I love being a free man
I remember to this day
The bright red Georgia clay
And how it stuck to the tires
After the summer rain
Will power made that old car go
A woman's mind told me that so
Oh how I wish
We were back on the road again
One can surmise from the photos that she was more human than dog. And what a lucky one she was to have obviously been so loved. All dogs go to heaven...
Amazing how much a dog can give. Just put my 15 year old fella down a week ago. He and I spent every hour together through those years. I have always said, dogs are the most loyal beings on earth and sure was hoping I would pass before him. If there is another side of this life, I'm fairly certain we shall meet again. So sorry for your loss Kingfish....
May all the happy memories with Sophie quickly ease the pain of her loss for you and your family. All us dog lovers understand what a tough time this is for you all and you have our deepest sympathy.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your fur baby kingfish
She was beautiful. I'm sorry for your loss. Pets are like family.
Long time lurker; first time to comment. I'm sorry for your loss. I agree with the poster who encouraged you to get another one. We lost two last year, a Lab mix in February, and a terrier mix in October; in between we acquired a Border Collie mix. We miss the other two but our new dog has certainly eased the pain.
I'm so sorry for your loss. They definitely become members of the family. :(
So, so sorry for your loss. They just grab your heart and never let go.
So sorry to hear this sad news. I know Sophie had a wonderful life and I hope the memories she gave you outweigh the grief you feel at her loss. There is nothing like losing a pet to make you aware of every minute detail of your day and how empty it feels without them there to share it. When you feel ready, I hope you'll show another dog the same love you showed Sophie. There could be no better tribute to her.
Marlo Kirkpatrick
Sophie was one of a kind. You are a great dog dad, and she knew she was loved. I'm so sorry for your loss!
Post a Comment