Another perfect dog story

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Thor came into our lives by our choice.  We were going to enter the world of dog showing.  Both kids had flown the nest and all their friends with them.  No more soccer, no more scouts, no more hockey, no more crazy pool parties.  Just us.  What did other people do on Saturdays?  We tried gardening - my husband hated it.  We tried golf - I hated it.  I had shown horses a lot when I was younger, and one dog a little.  Dog shows - perfect.  You pack up just like for sports, spend 10 embarassing minutes in the ring (and I got to do that!) and spent the rest of the sitting in the sun admiring, petting and talking dogs.  Perfect.

 

After a year of being vetted by Siberian Husky breeders of the dog show world, we finally were allowed to buy a show quality dog, if we promised to show him.  Thor came from a grandpa legend in the dog show world.  He even Won Best in Show often - nearly unheard of for a husky.

 

And so came Thor into our lives.  He was the livliest of puppies and brought new life to us and Storm our 8 year old Sibe.

He was just so glad to be alive.  He greeted every day with joy, enthusiasm and boundless energy.  He was more than normally difficult to train - short attention span theater, but so loveable.  Finally after many hours with a "show" trainer and many outings to puppy trials we entered the AKC world.  We were wildly unsuccessful and had loads of fun for a year. Then the curse of the curly tail appeared.  A  show career ending disaster for a Sibe.  One thoughtful fellow competitor slipped a piece of paper into my DH coat one day at a show.  It had the name of a vet who would ''nick" the tail muscle for us.  Of course we did no such thing, we just continued showing, and sunning and enjoying ourselves.

 

Then at 18 months Thor had a grand mal seizure and another and another......  Long story short, end of show career, beginning of strict regimen of drugs to control seizures that were caused by a brain stem tumor, inoperable.  Every seizure might cause the tumor to grow.  By the time Thor was three and had finished maturing we had good reliable seizure control, and a much calmer dog due to being medicated. 

 

When Thor was four I injured my back one time to many.  I remained upright working, school boarding, walking the dogs with sciatica running like lightening down my legs with every step.  Then came the muscle cramps from my neck to the soles of both feet.  Finally I had no choice but to stay in bed.  For nine long months and many doctors.  Then 2 years of therapy to get me back on my feet for a semi normal life.  Thor, my failed show dog, my crazy goofy lovin' life Siberian Husky spent every day of my bed time in the room with me, leaving only to go potty.  It was crazy hot in the room because my muscles were so cramped that I was freezing all the time, he must have been so uncomfortable.  Through the two years of therapy Thor matched me step for step - when I walked he walked beside me - squirrels, cats, and other dogs no longer existed in his world - just me.  When I layed down he layed on the floor beside me, when I sat he sat.  When I cried, he howled and put his head on my feet.  He seemed to know I could not bear any but the lightest touch - I felt like the Princess in the Princess and the Pea.

 

When I really got back on my feet Thor had one good year left and then the tumor claimed his brain, leaving him halfway through the dog door, standing facing a corner or just standing with his nose touching my knee waiting for me to bring him back to this world.  We let Thor leave this world on his 8th birthday, he got all the cheese crackers he could eat.  Storm, who was now very old, followed him soon after.

 

And then began our love affair with doodles.  I simply could not have another husky. 

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Note to self, don't read these stories at work - it's hard to explain the sniffles coming from my office.  I love reading about the loving bonds we've all had with past and present perfect dog friends.  Thank you for sharing Thor's life and adventures with us.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a wonderful dog Thor was. Thank you for sharing.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Maryann, This is an incredible story of love an devotion. I am in awe of Thor and his devotion to you. What a picture of unconditional love. Thank you so much for sharing it.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thank you so much for sharing this story. It's touching and emotional, I loved reading it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

What a story. The huskies sound like they were wonderful and I'm glad you found doodles now.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

More tears again! What a tough time to get through but look at what they taught you-unconditional love, you couldn't ask for anything more. He'll always be by your side.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story, I know that must have been difficult to write.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Oh my goodness.  What a story.  I told you all before there is a great book here on DK!   The amazing bond between two different species, man and dog is truly amazing.  One day I will write about my perfect Dog, Jet who saved my life and in the process lost his.

[cheryl & oliver]

Ok, so now I have to keep a box of tissues by the computer, tears are flowing again...What a wonderful dog your Thor was...And how lucky you were to be part of his life...He gave you so much, and you gave him so much, what a wonderful tribute and story...Thanks for sharing....

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

This one made me cry, for so many reasons but mostly because it was filled with so much love in every word written by you and the story shows how much you were loved. Congratulations, you made it through the dog door just like him when you got yourself a doodle. :-)