My old dog Plummer is gone. He was born (bred for us, a Hancock designer NM blend of greyhound and bearded and border collie) in David Hancock's kennel in an England that still allowed hunting with dogs, and died in his bed in his home in New Mexico. Once the greatest single- hand hare dog I have ever owned, he was failing badly the last few days, and falling down constantly. Loyal, rambunctious, sometimes loud, overbearing, smart and cheerful, he was one of a kind, very unlike the tazis, though descendants of his mating with Lash still win in New Mexico meets. I doubt I will ever have another dog like him. Lib may write more.
His birth announcement: I assume most can still recognize a Polaroid!
With David
Scenes from a life
A note of congratulations from Terence Wright's late Logan longdog on his first hare; another...
He liked hunting, water (much more than salukimorphs), and food, and comfort...
He grew old with his friends, and will be missed...
(And thanks once again to Terri Gonzales, DVM)
Very sorry for your loss Steve and Libby.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of our lives, we will not remember the name of anyone we ever worked with, but we will know the name of every dog we have ever owned, and we will have a dozen great stories for each.
There is always that one dog however.
The one that taught us so much, the one we made fewer mistakes with, the one that was so extraordinarily successfull in the field and in the house. The one that made us laugh or made us proud.
Those dogs? They live forever. They will run forever in our minds.
ReplyDeleteSteve I'm sorry for the loss but thrilled to have met such a good dog. Do you remember when I visited, Plummer knocked me so hard I spilled Libby's scalding coffee on my hand? He was making sure I was tough enough to stand in his backyard. Libby said, "Ah, we have friends just like him."
Steve and Libby - These dogs, the ones who've grown old with us are the ones so hard to let go of, the ones that are missed so much. It isn't exactly the length of time they've spent with us that matters ... it is more that they've shared so much and experienced so much with us - they've participated in our lives; and they take so much of the participation with them when they leave. The hounds will sing him home, blessings and good memories to you and Libby.
ReplyDeleteThe Black Dog Lady
Good that he had such a full and fun life. Glad we got to see him briefly this summer when we were up.. maybe you'll see whatever small part of him is in H1LDA when you get to spend some time with her this weekend.. bet you do. Sorry for you loss.
ReplyDeleteI always think of Proclus' description of young Plummer: "Such a comic, risible little fellow!" And gallant, too. But I'll always recall the time he appalled a visitor by coming up from the base of a juniper with a baby rabbit in his jaws and proceeding to swallow it whole like a python.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss, loved the photos you posted! She was obviously a very special dog.
ReplyDeletesincere condolences for your losses; sounds like a dog I would have appreciated....
ReplyDeleteBye, Plummie....
ReplyDeleteSteve & Libby:
ReplyDeleteHeartfelt condolences. Been there, said the farewells, wielded the shovel. There are no words. May 2013 come and go without griefs for you.
---JD
There's no better measure of a life than dog years, and while bitterly painful their transition from the present to the past is beautifully mirrored in the very language. They are perfected, and when we think and speak of them fondly we embrace the retrospective. To look back, to see, to know.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift to have had such a fine dog.
So sad for you all .
ReplyDeletePlummer was a very special dog.
Your picture history will bring back so many happy memories.
Remember the good times, with no regrets ....
Thinking of you
John & June
I never get over dogs when they go. My dog writing is mostly inspired by two dogs that would have driven the average person crazy. I still have very vivid dreams about them.
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest theological realization I've had is that would an intelligent God who loves humanity create a dog that lives only ten or fifteen years but he created a very stupid tortoise in the Galapagos that lives to be 200.
No one who has ever owned a good dog thinks the time of their passing was just right.
There is no such thing as good age for dog. No matter how many times they say it, it just isn't true.
You have my condolences.
This is a very tough time.
"Εὔμαι', ἦ μάλα θαῦμα κύων ὅδε κεῖτ' ἐνὶ κόπρῳ.
ReplyDeleteκαλὸς μὲν δέμας ἐστίν, ἀτὰρ τόδε γ' οὐ σάφα οἶδα,
ἢ δὴ καὶ ταχὺς ἔσκε θέειν ἐπὶ εἴδεϊ τῷδε,
ἦ αὔτως οἷοί τε τραπεζῆες κύνες ἀνδρῶν
γίνοντ', ἀγλαΐης δ' ἕνεκεν κομέουσιν ἄνακτες."
Ἄργον δ' αὖ κατὰ μοῖρ' ἔλαβεν μέλανος θανάτοιο,
αὐτίκ' ἰδόντ' Ὀδυσῆα ἐεικοστῷ ἐνιαυτῷ.
Odyssey, book XVII
Sorry to hear about the old lad.
Every day is a great day with a dog until the last. I am sorry for your loss. The old fellas and girls live forever in our hearts. I lost the dog of my life a year ago August, but my Abby, a 22 month old Britt, is running a strong second. Gil
ReplyDeleteBy request of the Querencia team, Lattimore's version of the above. The speaker is disguised Odysseus:
ReplyDelete"'Eumaios, this is amazing, this dog that lies on the dunghill.
The shape of him is splendid, and yet I cannot be certain
whether he had the running speed to go with this beauty,
or is he just one of the kind of table dog that gentlemen
keep, and it is only for show that their masters care for them.'
.....
But the doom of dark death now closed over the dog, Argos,
when, after nineteen years had gone by, he had seen Odysseus."
There's good stuff surrounding the passage too; start at line 290 of Book XVII.
Good dog and a nice tribute.
ReplyDeleteJim
Thank you all so much-- we are moved, and blessed by friends AND dogs. Particular thanks to Jutta for making us laugh (pic coming), to Federico for the apt Greek, and to Jack for the near instantaneous translation...
ReplyDeletePS to Peculiar: 290 of 17? Seems well before the old hound in my Fagles translation-?
ReplyDeleteSorry Stephen, I too have lost fine dogs who were much loved. I have an old Gordon who is probably in his last year. I have a good idea how you feel
ReplyDeleteregards
dan
That's the Fagles for you, he's definitely on the free side so I'm not surprised it would affect the numbering in that edition. FWIW, I just looked up the Greek lines, and Lattimore's right there with it. I can't speak with much authority about Homer, but I was very impressed with his Sappho translations (the originals of which I've actually read) for being remarkably accurate while retaining a surprising amount of the poetic virtue.
ReplyDeleteSteve and Libby...just read about Plummer's passing and enjoyed the tributes. I have a distant relative of Plummer, via a Hancock sire and grandsire, and he will soon be a shaggy memory. I know, and hope to always be allowed to know, the use of a good dog. Condolences to you both.
ReplyDeleteSteve and Libby - I am so sorry to hear of Plummer's passing. It is hard to say goodbye to the wonderful dogs that share our lives. They are not ever with us long enough.
ReplyDeleteConnie