Definition of a 'Heart Dog'

elsique wrote:
I know exactly what you mean. I had a little Beagle named Genabe that I was so bonded with for 12 years before we had to make that painful decision to end her suffering due to a nasty cancer. I have adopted 2 other dogs since I lost her and I love them both dearly but Genabe still holds a very special place in my heart that can never be replaced. Even thinking of her today brings tears to my eyes and she will live in my heart forever. Genabe is my Heart Dog!

Awww, Genabe sounds like a sweetheart. We definitely understand your loss. We are all lucky to have known such perfect love.

I know exactly what you mean. I had a little Beagle named Genabe that I was so bonded with for 12 years before we had to make that painful decision to end her suffering due to a nasty cancer. I have adopted 2 other dogs since I lost her and I love them both dearly but Genabe still holds a very special place in my heart that can never be replaced. Even thinking of her today brings tears to my eyes and she will live in my heart forever. Genabe is my Heart Dog!

Interesting subject...Over my life I have had so many dogs, fifteen to be exact.
They were all special in their own way except for our Dalmation Casey, except my DH loved this dog.

The very first as a child was a mutt named Cleo had her from grade school until I was twenty two years old, when she died I did too a little.

I have had three poodles that were like my kids who I would probably protect with my life, all three lived good long lives.

I have had and are on our fifth Lab, I have had such a bond with all of them, they just have a way of getting into your heart and soul but out of all of them there one that to this day I miss so much it hurts sometimes and the tears are never far away. That of course would be my beautiful Sofie...but her passing led us to our current Lab Lucy, who by now has wormed her way deep into our hearts, has given us a great deal of joy and she's a ton of fun.

There have been some strays, a beautiful Makenzie Husky, a golden hound mix, and I loved them just because they were good dogs, then there was the Dalmation.

I too have had and are on our third Pomeranian. Our first was a gorgeous, delightful little creame guy named Max, I loved this dog dearly and when he died of cancer I couldn't bear it, I had to get another one just like him, that was my Zachery and he was every bit as wonderful as Max. Many of you know how hard it was for me when I lost him, but I loved him so much I needed another one which brought us to our Bubba. Bubba has helped mend a broken heart just as Zachery did when I lost Max.

So on and on it goes until I either pass away or move to a nursing home I will continue to get these dogs that just take over my heart and home.
So which ones are my heart dogs...I think in some ways they all are but the two that all others have to live up to are my Lab Sofie and my Pom Zachery, these two, to this day will bring a tear to my eyes and a lump to my throat.

Sher

We had one too. Our little Riley, a long hair miniature dachshund. He was also a rescue, coming to us just 3 weeks after being rescued. We had him for 5 1/2 short years and lost him to congestive heart failure at age 12 1/2, during our first winter as fulltimers Feb 2012. We have another wonderful little dog now, but neither of us will ever forget our Riley.

Yup. Totally understand!

"Hershey" was my Heart Dog. Miss him terribly and it's been three years. Cry.

You know not too many years ago i would have said i had a hard time believing your statement but not anymore. Now my heart dog is still very much alive and healthy. We rescued him 2 years ago this past April. He came from a puppymill and was a walking skeleton, not anymore ;. Don't get me wrong i love all of our 5 (yes i said 5:E)with all my heart but this one little Red Boston Terrier is definetely my heart and soul dog. There is just something about Sampson AKA little red guy that is so much different than the others that i can't explain it. He is a special needs little guy that is blind in one eye but you would never know it. He looks at me with his good eye and well i just can't explain it. The rescue lady said according to the records they uncovered in there raid he was between 1 1/2 too 2 years old, our vet said 10 plus from his teeth so who knows, i'm just so thankful every day that this litle guy came into our life. He has been through an awful lot in his little life but is so Thankful for rescuing him and he shows us his appreciation every day. I truly know what you mean by Poquita being your heart and soul dog!

Very touching story. I did have a dog like that, that was Lady. We rescued her on death's door from a shelter (they had kill dates on the kennels and hers was past due) when she was a puppy March 1994. She helped me through my father's unexpected death. She was the perfect dog,easily house trained, never ran away, loved everyone. We said our goodbye to her Feb. 10,2010, my dad passed away Feb. 11, 1994.

I so, So, SOOOOOOO understand what you are saying (and you said it so beautifully!)