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I just laid one of my favorite climbing partners to rest

Kevin Fox · · parker · Joined Apr 2003 · Points: 970

Sam,
I attached this to my facebook page. I've been there. lost my golden in 2007 and haven't the heart to replace her. she was an amazing dog like yours.

Kirk Miller · · Catalina, AZ and Ilwaco, WA · Joined May 2003 · Points: 1,824

Lucky to be adopted by a climber; dog got outside, chased a few critters!

Hank Caylor · · Livin' in the Junk! · Joined Dec 2003 · Points: 643

Oh that sucks man! You put the dog 1st the whole time, as you should. You did what you could and I'm proud of you for the way you handled it the whole way through. crap.

Sam Stephens · · PORTLAND, OR · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 1,090
TheBirdman wrote:Not to undermine any sort of family dog, but I really think there is something different about being young and getting your own dog. I wanted a dog my entire life and my parents always refused, telling me when I got my first house, I could get a dog. The minute I signed the lease for my first house, I went out and got Sam. I was 18, in college, with no money and no experience with dogs. None of that mattered. That dog taught me more about myself and about what it means to care for something else than I would have learned in a lifetime without him. I would give that dog anything and everything. We've had some epics chasing deer through the woods, him being stolen once (yeah, that's for real), dumpster dives, etc. He's been my hiking partner, my roadtrip buddy, gear protector, my friend, and my companion since the moment I picked him up. Lately, he has been having some serious health issues so the thought that he will some day pass (something you never consider when you have a healthy dog) has been frequent in my mind. I really appreciate your story and while I can't exactly empathize since I haven't lost my dog, I can truly appreciate the relationship you guys had. Like I said, there is just something different about a dog you get when you're young and on your own for the first time; a indefinable bond. Take solace in the fact you did all you could for him, made it as good as it could have been, and did the right thing. I often wondered what I would do if Samson (a husky) was unable to run, or play in the snow, or do the things he loves to do and honestly, I would make the same choice you did. A life of pain for a dog is no life at all and it would have been selfish to force him to endure it any longer. I feel for you man and like many others who have read this thread, got tears in my eyes. Stay positive, pet your other dogs, and try to take the sweet with the bitter. You were lucky enough to find each other and enjoy the time you had together. Try to stay focused on the good and look at it from the perspective that you gained so much from knowing him, not how much you'll miss him now that he's gone.
You put into words what I've been trying to get right recently. I knew there was something special about it being just me and him from the get go, but you nailed it. Thanks.
Mike G · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 0

i am so sorry for your loss. My family is on our second lab, the first one had to be put down, he was part of the family for everything, including pacing with my wife all nite while she was in labor with our first child, he was her shadow. The new one wants to be attached to my hip and I find my self at times telling him to go away, after reading your post I called him into the den to hug him, thanks for sharing

Gary Dunn · · Baltimore · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 35

Sorry for your lost, I have been there myself. It was my then 8 year old daughter wondering why I was so distraught that said "all dogs go to heaven" Somehow it made it OK.

rob bauer · · Golden, CO · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 3,929

We've been there. (Those of us with tears in our eyes.) Things will improve, but there will ALWAYS be that connection, and it will move you. My mom died, and while the unconditional love was deep, we get it on some intellectual level, and we (and they) get it: life is short. (my dog died and I was devastated) Your connection with your dog was unconditional and somehow, maybe because they depend on you, hits us at some gut level that we can't sort out. You gave the best to a dog who took it at the level that it's all good: time out with us was the best moment of their day/life. They just couldn't say how important it was. (Cry, scream and mourn: you hurt.) Thanks for your mourning, we're all more human for it.
If you have a dog: go for a walk. (You'll all feel better.)

TuRETZ · · Denver, co · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 140

Brutal man... Sorry for your loss...

Terry Parker · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined May 2006 · Points: 0

So sorry, and no words can really console how you feel. Time does heal ...but it still feels like an empty void. You did the right thing. Tucker can romp and play with my companions in the Elysium fields. Never really believed in the afterlife, until something I love so much departs forever.
Go with God Tucker...

Jim Gloeckler · · Denver, Colo. · Joined Jul 2004 · Points: 25

I have had 4 of my dogs die in my life. Only one was a true "climbers dog". I miss him the most. He was a daschund that loved to swim and drag big rocks out of the water and up the hill, only to turn around and roll them down the hill back into the water. He was something else. So sorry to hear about the loss of your best friend.

Phil Lauffen · · Innsbruck, AT · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 3,098
rob bauer wrote:We've been there. (Those of us with tears in our eyes.) Things will improve, but there will ALWAYS be that connection, and it will move you. My mom died, and while the unconditional love was deep, we get it on some intellectual level, and we (and they) get it: life is short. (my dog died and I was devastated) Your connection with your dog was unconditional and somehow, maybe because they depend on you, hits us at some gut level that we can't sort out. You gave the best to a dog who took it at the level that it's all good: time out with us was the best moment of their day/life. They just couldn't say how important it was. (Cry, scream and mourn: you hurt.) Thanks for your mourning, we're all more human for it. If you have a dog: go for a walk. (You'll all feel better.)
Are you saying that you were more devastated when your dog died than when your mom died? Thats kinda f'ed up.
Evan1984 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 30
Phil Lauffen wrote: Are you saying that you were more devastated when your dog died than when your mom died? Thats kinda f'ed up.
No he is saying that a dog's love and your love in return is the most simplistic form of affection. There is no conversation to intellectually stimulate you, no shared financial/family goals, and no relation to keep your bonded. It is pure, simple love for the sake of loving a living creature.

Judging him for the way he grieves is f'ed up.

Sam, I'm sorry for your loss. I can't even talk about my dogs dying without getting choked up. I'm giving my two mutts extra love tonight
Nate Manson · · San Diego, CA · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 135

At first I thought this was about a person, almost x'd the window out. Then I realized it was a dog, not cool man, not fucking cool. RIP Tucker.

Rich F. · · Colorado Springs, CO · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 2,510

Sorry for your loss. Some dogs are loved like family members. We lost our little climbing buddy last summer to cancer as well. It was a tough loss. We buried him in the mountains near one of our favorite hiking trails. Sorry again for your loss.

Tobey the climbing dog.

Nate Manson · · San Diego, CA · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 135
Rich F. wrote:Sorry for your loss. Some dogs are loved like family members. We lost our little climbing buddy last summer to cancer as well. It was a tough loss. We buried him in the mountains near one of our favorite hiking trails. Sorry again for your loss.
That dog looks like he was rad.
Puzman puziss · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 45

Sam,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your story of your last day with her brought tears to my eyes. Sounds like you had a great dog, and he had a great dad.

I lost Lucy, my climbing, running, and mountain biking partner to a divorce. My ex insisted on keeping her, taking her away from me and my daughter (her stepdaughter). A different kind of loss to be sure, but I'm still mourning her as if she had died. My daughter and I adopted another dog today, and we're looking forward to many years of adventures with her. I hope you can heal and find room in your life for another dog soon.

Phil Lauffen · · Innsbruck, AT · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 3,098
Evan Horvath aka Evan1984 wrote: No he is saying that a dog's love and your love in return is the most simplistic form of affection. There is no conversation to intellectually stimulate you, no shared financial/family goals, and no relation to keep your bonded. It is pure, simple love for the sake of loving a living creature. Judging him for the way he grieves is f'ed up. Sam, I'm sorry for your loss. I can't even talk about my dogs dying without getting choked up. I'm giving my two mutts extra love tonight
Thats not what I read. Judging me for how I judge other people is kinda f'ed up.
slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

sam, sorry to hear the news. just remember that you were lucky to find him, and he was really lucky to find you. sounds like you gave him a fantastic journey.

Red · · Tacoma, Toyota · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 1,625

RIP Tucker. So hard to go through! Sorry for your loss.

Man's best friend and part of the family. I have the same connection with my dog. Best of luck to you in moving forward. Find your happiness that Tucker wants you to have.

GMBurns · · The Fucking Moon, man, the… · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 470

That blows dude. May he rest in peace and may you get some peace here, too.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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