Before Fudge and Vern....Part Two!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Recently, I did a blog on our rescue dog, Honey, but I feel like I have to give equal time to our wonderful dog, Hershey. My oldest daughter came out of the womb chanting the word dog.  We lived in an apartment many years before we could afford our own home and I always told my oldest that as soon as we got our house, she could have a dog. Rule #1: Kids never forget. As soon as we got our house, she started hounding (no pun intended) us for that dog. Of course, she promised she would do everything for the dog and we, as the parents, would just need to go get the dog and then sit back and relax while she handled all the care. We had had fish and hermit crabs and I vaguely remembered that it was me wetting the sponge, cleaning the fish tank, and feeding the fish most nights, but she convinced me this pet would be different. We had a couple of greyhounds in the neighborhood and I tried to talk her into adopting one, but the only dog she wanted was a Chocolate Lab.

 

Nowadays, I know all about health testing and checking out the parents, etc., but in those days we were stupid and ruled by the overriding desire to stop the incessant little voice that kept saying, "You promised I could have a dog." As luck would have it, a friend had a friend and her Lab dog had just had puppies. The father, they assumed, was a roving Lab in the neighborhood.Our daughter had now joined forces with her younger sister and every conversation with the two of them began with a question about how soon they were getting their dog.

 

Most smart dog people would have been asking questions like, "Have the parents been health tested?...Is there a guarantee in writing?...Could we see the parents?" After weeks of listening to begging and badgering, all my DH and I cared about, at this point, was our mental health, so instead of asking those good questions, we just turned to each other and said, "Let's just get the dog, so she shuts up."  Luckily, for us the decision about which puppy to pick in the litter was easy, because out of the six puppies, the mother had two chocolate, three black, and one yellow. One of the chocolates had died in birth, so that left just one chocolate and her personality seemed very mellow and sweet.

 

We just had to wait for the pup to mature before we could bring her home and those weeks waiting can only be described as hell. I would wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat just knowing this was the worst decision we had ever made. I tried to talk to my DD about how much responsibility a dog was going to be and wouldn't she like the money that we were paying for the dog instead. Not good parenting, but I was desperate. I swear that kid always liked yanking my chain a little, because she would act like she was thinking about the offer and then look up at me and say, "Nice try, mom, but you promised I could have a dog." I made a mental note to myself not to use the words, "I promise," EVER to that little relentless darling of a daughter. Years later, as an adult, when she decided to get her French Bulldog, her fiance (now husband) said he didn't want to get a dog. We told him he might as well start picking out dog names, because it was only a matter of time before she got her dog.  I know he thought we were being dramatic, but within a few short weeks, he got right on board with her getting that dog. We think she applied her, "Keep asking until I drive the person nuts" technique to him too. Oh, and now they have two dogs.

 

By the time we picked up our pup, we had all agreed on the name Hershey. Usually, when we get a pet, we all put our names on a piece of paper and into a hat, and then try pulling one out and seeing if any one else likes the name too. My DH is always putting dumb names in the hat, because I guess when you live with three women you have to amuse yourself any way you can. Almost always it is a name like Stupe or Dumbo, or for our rabbit, Stew. Once the girls figured out it was not short for Stewart, but rather Rabbit Stew, the name got tossed. The youngest tended to pick names like Brownie or Furry, so she has named very few pets in her day. The oldest just wanted to make sure she got full credit for picking the name.  I don't remember who picked the name, but because I don't want to hear about it, let's just say the oldest threw in the name Hershey and we all agreed. We thought we had come up with the most clever name ever for a Chocolate Lab until we realized almost all the chocolate labs in our county were also named Hershey.

 

By today standards, we pretty much did everything wrong. Hershey never went to a doggie daycare, dog sitter, or one obedience class. We crated her in the basement from night one and I listened to her pitiful cries upstairs in our room crying right along with her. I could still kick myself for being such an idiot. Yet, with all of our mistakes, she blossomed into a fabulous dog. She loved everyone and almost every dog, except the mean Jack Russell that lived next door. She was kind to cats, birds, bunnies, and never pulled on a leash like Fudge and Vern. In fact, we would sit outside with her all the time and never even leashed her and in the morning, I let her out to do her business and she would come back in when finished. She knew which neighbors had dog treats in their car and would run to their car when they got home from work and often escort them to their house, just in case they forgot some other goody they had for her inside. The kids in our neighborhood loved her and she loved all of them.

 

Of course, she hadn't been home two weeks when the oldest daughter, who had begged night and day for her, got tired of walking her and taking her out. Our youngest daughter, however, who had a fear of dogs, took to Hershey right away and I would have to say Hershey loved her and me best.  Our youngest had many, many medical problems, some scars from surgeries along the way, and walked with a slight limp.  I am sure you can imagine the teasing she got from some of the other kids at school and middle school was exceptionally tough for her, but when she got off that bus each day, Hershey was waiting for her and loved her just the way she was! I would catch them in the bath tub together, having a snack on her bed, and always together. Our youngest would have probably never asked for a dog on her own, so I guess I have to give some credit to her persistent (and annoying) older sister...LOL!

 

When I think about our life, Hershey was there for so many important things. She was there as our kids grew up, started dating, going to dances, and going off to college. My DH lost both of his parents while we had Hershey. She was my worried nurse during two surgeries and my DH would get me settled in bed and put her up there right next to me. She slept in our bed with us almost every night, which was no small feat considering we only had a full size bed and she weighed 70 pounds and we won't go into what the other occupants weighed at the time. She was a true member of our family.

 

We had to make the hard decision in Hershey's later years to put her to sleep. She could hardly stand, leaked all over everywhere daily, couldn't hear, developed diabetes, eye problems, and was in a lot of pain. I asked the vet why she just couldn't go to sleep one day and not wake up, but he said it didn't always happen like that and it was time. I kept telling her to go towards the light if she saw it, because I did not want to think about the alternative. To me that is the worst thing about having a dog, because I still ask my DH if we should have waited a little longer and I have tremendous guilt over my impatience as she got older. Everything took so long and I have never been good at waiting.  Hershey had been with us so long at that point, and had made it clear she loved us no matter what, that my mind tells me she understood my shortcomings.  The last day, my DH, my youngest daughter, and I all met at the vet and stayed with her until she was gone. My oldest lived in another state, but she was heartbroken too. Almost their whole childhood was spent with Hershey and she would be the only dog they had as children. Fudge and Vern have benefited from every mistake I ever made with Hershey. I learned how to have a dog from that special dog. What a great dog to teach us all about what it could be like to welcome a dog into our family. Hershey taught us that lesson from day one.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Lauria, Thank you for your nice comment. Hershey was a special dog. Your Hershey and Lucy are just adorable. You are right, Hershey turned out to be a wonderful friend to our youngest daughter and will always be the dog she compares to all other dogs. I am glad you had them when you developed your medical condition and that they offered such great companionship to you.

My oldest LOVES Oregon and her job. I really think she will stay there.  I hate it, but she is happy. Thank you for asking!!

[Lauria Orr]

Wow, Laurie, what a beautiful story...it made me laugh and cry. of course.  I had a "Hershey" too, and her half sister "Lucy".  It sounds like my start with them was much like yours with Hershey. They were Beagles and were such great dogs, however, you didn't dare give them an open door to escape from...that was the worst, as well as the counter surfing, which, as a smaller dog requires a bounce. Hershey had brown spots on her as a puppy that looked like Hershey's kisses. They were adorable, and my constant companions when I developed a medical condition that kept me house bound for long stretches.  In the end, I was attentive to them quite the same way.  We were just present for each other, without question, and in their case, it was not their obligation.  It was who these dogs were.  Your daughter found that same companionship and loyalty...it is an incredible healing force. Thank you for sharing your story. 

I am going to try to post a photo of Hershey and Lucy, the wonder-Beagles.

Hey, Laurie, how is your daughter doing in Eugene?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Julie!

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Wow, that was powerful!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Megan, Allyson, and Lynda!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am crying right now.  What an incredible story. Hershey sounds like Ivan, my golden retriever growing up. Best dog ever. I remember the day mom and dad told me to "say goodbye" right before I got onto the school bus.  He was my first real experience with death.  He is buried on their hill, along with our other childhood dogs, Jake, Amos, Otis, and Libby the kitty.  Their graves are covered with limestone and we go visit them on pretty days. 

But I am like you and will have my guys in urns in the living room.  Don't want to think about that now :( 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Wow!  Your daughter is right.  This is a super blog and I feel like I know Hershey.  My son was the same with the "You promised".  We had a great little miniature poodle when he was born who lived 17 1/2 years.  He had to be put down right before we moved into a condo because our house sold too fast.  We lived there for 6 months and I told Kristoff he could have a dog when we moved into our new (old) house.  As soon as we got unpacked, he wanted his dog.  I took him to the SPCA and he immediately fell for a shephard mix with a pink nose.  He wouldn't let anyone else near her and told them proudly "This is my dog".  She was at his side and protecting him every inch of the way for 12 years.  Love these stories of kids and dogs.

[FrenchPoodleDoodle]

Mom, This was a great blog! One of your best, in my opinion! Hershey was a great dog who gave Hayley and I a lot of great memories. I think she is the reason I will always have a dog or two!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Deanna, I am so glad your daughter got to experience the love of a special dog, even though it was cut short by lymphoma. I am also glad she married her dog giver and I don't even know him :) Thank you for your kind comments.

F, Linda & Linnea, Thank you for the nice comments.

Nancy, I am glad you had a Hershey in your life too!

Donna, Thank you for sharing your story about Muffin/Muff and I glad you got Quincy to fill your heart. It is never easy to lose a dog, but I am glad for every experience I had with all my dogs. Thank you for your nice comments.

 

 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

What a wonderful story about a very special dog!  I love Hershey and I've never even met her!

 

When my daughter was a little girl, she begged for a dog.  However, my husband worked LONG hours and Rebecca and I were gone all day (school) and most evenings (piano lessons, dance, Girl Scouts, etc.) so we really couldn't adequately care for a dog.  She settled for cats - who really can manage on their own.  Fast forward to the end of Rebecca's second year in college.  She'd been in a relationship for nearly a year and was living in her own apartment.  She called on her birthday, excitedly saying, "Guess what Brice gave me for my birthday!"  My first thought was an engagement ring, so when she said that he'd gotten her a puppy, I was relieved - I thought she was crazy, but relieved nonetheless!  Dixie turned out to be the most wonderful dog.  Shortly before Brice and Rebecca got married (eight years after getting Dixie), she was diagnosed with lymphoma.  They spent thousand of $$ (they couldn't really afford) on treatment.  She lived another two healthy years.  We all still miss her greatly!