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Tuesday
30Jun2009

Tristan, RIP

DateTuesday, June 30, 2009 at 05:28PM

Our eldest dog, Tristan the Aussie, passed away today.  He had been declining rapidly, and the same vet that said, "I can't believe this dog is 10 years old," a mere 3-1/2 years ago because of Tristan's puppy-like demeanor and energy, gave him his last injection today. 

He was a puppy for ten years, and then suddenly an old boy, plagued by arthritis, deafness, cataracts, and loss of neural control.

We remember him a a jolly dog, not the brightest, but affectionate and buoyant.  He epitomized Mark Twain's observation, "A door is something a dog is always on the wrong side of."  He wanted to be with his people, always.  He made a big friend with my mother, not one for warming up to other people's dogs.  She thought he was perfect. 

Tristan was perfectly obedient to only one person, my daughter, who was three when we got him.  He terrified her at first.  He was a big puppy and wanted to play, and it scared her to have him bounce right up to her.  To help her gain command, I squatted down and had her stand between my knees.  I told her to shout, "NO!!" as loud as she could as soon as I said go.  Tristan spied us and made a bouncy, energetic beeline.  He was just about to make his final leap toward us and I said, "Go!"  Daughter screamed, "NOOOO!!" and I reached from behind her and knocked him sideways while he was airborne.  Ever after, whenever she spoke, he listened.  If she didn't like what he was doing, she just had to shout, in her 3-year old voice, "TRISTAN, NO!!" and he would flop, whereever he was.  Once, she became exasperated because a game of fetch between her father and Tristan was always punctuated with extended tug-o-wars because Tristan wouldn't relinquish the frisbee.  Tired of hearing her father repeat "Drop it!" while tugging away, she turned to Tristan and growled, "Tristan, drop it."  He opened his mouth and sat down at attention- to her.

Good-bye, dear and faithful friend.

Authorbbmoe | Comment5 Comments |

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Reader Comments (5)

May flights of angels sing him to his well-earned rest.

Ave atque vale.
June 30, 2009 | Unregistered Commenteraelfheld
I'm so sorry.
June 30, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterPhilo
Quid -- I'm sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, Tristan. Good boy.
July 1, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterWeezer
Well done, good and faithful servant.
July 1, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterChris
Our own beloved 14 year old Doolin (whom we got when Elisa was 4) is having his last injection tomorrow morning. We can weep together over the loss of these dear, faithful family members. I'll tell Doolin to be on the lookout for Tristan when he arrives in Dog Heaven tomorrow. Love to you and the family,

Elizabeth
July 1, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterElizabeth Turner

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