Vince is one of those rough and tough kind of guys. When you first meet him, you think he’s hard and uncaring but he’s really quite tenderhearted. Last night we were talking on the phone and he was telling me how much he misses Speck. I had asked how Rita was doing and said “It has to be so much easier without Speck there.” Speck had meds to take and, for the most part, that wasn’t a problem, but sometimes it was difficult. Speck didn’t give us much warning when he needed to go out and if it took us more than about 30 seconds to get to the door, we sometimes had a mess to clean up. Speck wouldn’t get up in the mornings until he was ready and trying to get him up usually meant someone was bleeding. With me not there, Vince had to get him outside before he left to go to work and that took more time and coaxing than most of us have in the morning.
Vince said “No, I really miss him!”
These, of course, are older pictures – from 2011.
Begging Dog
Speck loved banana. If Vince was eating cereal in the morning, he added banana so he would cut off about 1-1/2″ from one end, slice it up and give it to Speck throughout Vince’s breakfast. Vince said he’s still, out of habit, cutting off the 1-1/2″ from the end of his banana every morning.
Begging Dog
Speck also loved pasta. It had gotten to the point that I told Vince . . if you want pasta, we’re going out to eat because I am not going to eat my dinner while being nudged by a dog, or listening to a dog whine for pasta. It started out that it was so cute to watch him eat a piece of spaghetti but by the time he decided if we were having pasta, he was having pasta . . it was no longer cute. Speck would start out fairly mannerly but if he wasn’t getting any, or not enough in his opinion, he’d start nudging us and then whining and then barking. It was truly chaos trying to eat pasta at home.
Vince said he fixed pasta the other night and it was really sad not having Speck there to beg for his share.
One thing I’ve learned though . . I’ll never feed another dog anything from the table. If I’m going to take the time to plan a meal, cook and then have to clean up, I want to eat in peace.
It’s going to be so hard going home the first time without him there. I keep telling myself that humans have to do it all the time . . go home after a love one has passed away and is no longer with you. I can do this. I think the worst part is thinking about it between now and then. Last night I was talking about Speck to Nicole and she said “don’t cry!” but it was too late.
Reality is that I’ll probably be so tired by the time I get home, and so glad to be home, I’ll be fine or . . maybe not. It’s real life and sooner or later, I have to face it. It’s getting sooner every day. Of course, in perspective, leaving Chad, Nicole and Addie is going to be much harder than walking into the house without Speck. Too bad I’m having to do both those things in the same day. Thankfully, it isn’t today!
Deb Miller says
It’s so hard to lose them. They are such a big part of our lives, good and bad. I finally got another dog, a German Shepard, and she is the best. I have always, for the most part, besides strays, have had labs. Great dogs, but smart and stubborn! This German Shepard is very smart, and so easy to train. Basically just tell her once not to do something, and that’s it. But a puppy, none the less. It’s draining. I said I wouldn’t do it again, but have been following a breeder for a couple of years, and loved her dogs. She offered me one, and I snapped her up. Love her to death. I love labs, but I wish I would have switched to GSDs a long time ago! Now I wish I had more! Mine don’t really beg at the table, but they know they get to lick plates after dinner and they are right there when the forks stop moving! They all have their quirks, and we love them all. Sorry for your loss…
Vicky says
Oh, gosh, I know it’s going to be hard for you when you get home. I’ll be thinking of you. Love those pictures of Speck – and that red collar that my sweet Daisy passed along to him. xoox
Sherry V. says
Oh Judy, I am so sorry for your loss. Speck has been such a part of your posts that I am sure that many of your readers will miss him almost as much as you and Vince.
Losing a companion animal is never easy. . . even if they are ornery, cantankerous or downright mean. . . .
I hope your good memories will be a comfort going forward.
Hugs from NJ.
Eileen Eisner says
That is so tough. My heart breaks for y’all. We lost Daisy a year ago and yesterday I was talking to Zac about her and suddenly got all teared up. Zac said well I know one thing and that is that you are ready to talk about Daisy still.
Thankfully you have had Addie and Chad Nicole to brighten your spirits. Soon you will be home to brighten Vince and Rita’s spirits! Love you!
Kathleen says
FB just brought up an old picture of my furry friend which we lost 5 yrs ago. It brought fond memories and tears.
jatshaw says
So sorry to hear about Speck, Judy. We recently lost our sweet kitty, Mocha, and she hadn’t been with us as long as you have had Speck. Thinking of you and sending hugs.