08/07/2024
Here’s something they don’t teach you in Breeder School.
Dogs die. Not just your own, but the ones you place with families. When you’ve placed as many puppies as we have over the years, it is inevitable. The longer you’ve been breeding, the more of these calls you’ll get. You’ll get calls about freak accidents, about tumors, about dogs getting in the road, about illness, about disease, so many scenarios, all of which tug at your heart strings.
I am always glad when a family lets me know their GVD has passed away, but I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t take a toll. I grieve for the loss of a life of course, but mostly I grieve for a family whose lives are forever altered by the loss of their canine family member. Everyone thinks their dog who died was the best dog who ever lived, and none of them are wrong.
While I have a love/hate relationship with the calls bearing grim news, there is another side to it. Y’all are my people. You get it. So when I experience a loss, I know all of our families understand just how deeply it cuts.
Our Coda Cakes went to doggie heaven. Life expectancy for her breed is only 8 years, so for her to make almost 13 is a true testament to her grit, especially considering the life she led.
This girl was hunter extraordinaire. Over the years she proudly gifted us with the spoils of her overnight hunts. Armadillos, skunks, snakes, c***s, and more than a few unrecognizable remains.
Loved table scraps, hated taking medicine. Loved rolling in smelly things, hated a bath. Loved a car ride, hated a thunderstorm. Hip surgery, porcupine wrestling matches, heartworm treatment, two times a momma, Coda had a full life of adventure and love. She’s the only female dog I’ve ever seen hike a leg to p*e - just one of the many quirks that made Coda Coda.
You never know that the Last Time is the last time. The day before she passed, I roughhoused in the yard with her a little. Even as an old lady, she was tough and strong, and she loved to slap around. I didn’t have a tug toy on me so I played the game with my hands. I right/left right/left pop her in the jaw, drawing back as quickly as I can. It’s a race to see if she can catch my wrist. I let her catch me a few times for fun. It smarts, but I know she loves it, so I give her a couple of wins. Just last night I noticed I have 8 perfectly round purple bruises, four on each wrist, and realized they are from her canines. Coda left her mark on me, literally and figuratively.
She left her mark on others in her life as well. Forever the alpha, she schooled every dog that ever lived on our property. Bossy pants. She made friends with clients who came to pick up their puppy. She loved our neighbor Mr Jerry. She loved the grandbaby. She loved me and JM. And we all loved her.
Now she is in heaven where there are no scary thunderstorms, plenty of critters to chase, and her old pals Buddy and Gypsy to hang with. The Original Trio has reunited, and I can only imagine the ruckus they are raising.
Love you sweet girl. We are so glad you were ours and we were yours.
John Mark Franklin
Gabbi Franklin
Jerry Evans