6-2009 We said goodbye to Wolfie, our little doggie of 15 years, well 14 plus plus plus. He was a Lhasa Opso, 12 pounds of pure love.
Wolfie wasn't a particular friendly dog, to strangers, like some family pets. He was not really good with kids, except Harrison, our grandson. This was a dog that has a sweet nature, good temperament, loving disposition… but was 99.9 percent, a big people dog.
He bonded well with us, his mommy and daddy [adults]. He tolerated other adults, but small children, no. He had no patience for poking fingers and tail-pulling toddlers. He pretty much avoided middle-school age kids who were playful, but not careful of a tiny dog's fragile bones.
Our little Wolfie is almost 15 years old. I think that's a record. In
human years that would be 15 x 7 equal 105 years. He is still kicking,
but he is blind and has arthritis. Some say to 'put him down' because
that's merciful. It's true, I do not want him to suffer. He's been a
part of our family so long and he's a good boy for sure.Taking care of
him in his old age is not, I repeat, not, to much trouble!
Did I mention that he's a Lhasa and about 12 lbs. Black and white. Sweet
natured. I know it's going to be a bad day when the day comes. But as
long as he's happy and functioning and not suffering, he lives on
This pup had a lovely long coat of black and white hair. He was the type of dog that people were drawn to. He was a picture laying on top of our bed. I guess that why our little wolfie was so admired. He did look like a dog posed on the cover of a magazine.
One of the memories we share is when he was just a wee pup. We'd take him out on the tennis court and he ran and ran after a rubber purple porcupine squeaky toy. In fact, he was relentless. Tireless. He just didn't want to stop.
He'd get a couple of new toys in his Christmas stocking [monogrammed, of course] and he'd roll over on top of the toy. It would squeak and he'd do it again. I loved seeing him enjoy his toy.
Another wonderful memory of our precious pup was his hair bows, jeweled clips and painted toe nails. Yes, he was a boy dog, but a pretty, my pretty. So he got the grooming and accessories that a soft and snuggly Lhasa Opso breed typically gets. We do spoil the dogs in our family.
It may be because his breed originated in Tibet, but Wolfie loved the cold weather. In summertime, he'd plop in front of a fan we placed on the floor for him to cool himself. GAD! That was a sight. There he was laying flat out in front of that fan. The air blowing straight into his face and his multi-colored black and white coat of hair pinned back revealing his pink skin. I remember it like it was yesterday.
He was ferocious at letting us know when visitors were at the door, but good luck scaring bad guys. Our Wolfie was only 12 pounds and I think most of that was his long coat of hair. He lived indoors his entire life. Of course, he did go outside to do his business [well trained and very obedient] and to play and go on walks. But indoors it was for this four-legged family member and friend.
He had quite a comfy bed, but didn't sleep in it very often. He was his own man, so to speak. He did what he wanted, when he wanted and how he wanted. In later years, his tolerance was extremely short. Hmmm, I know some people like that.
Wolfie lived a long and happy life. He topped the dog age charts, probably because he was a well cared for dog.
I will think of him often. Wolfie was basically absent from the family for the last two years. He deteriorated over time, was blind, lost most of his teeth and had a severe case of doggie dementia [according to the Vet]. It was no chore to care for our little dog who lived with us for nearly 15 years. We wanted to do whatever it took to preserve the quality of his life... until pain become the master of his domain.
Thankfully, it was a slow journey, and gave us months to prepare ourselves and adjust to the inevitable, which is now here. It makes dealing with his passing, easier, if the death of a beloved pet can be called easy.
Gone now, but he lives on in our hearts. Wolfie was a good dog. A very good dog. I will miss him.