Ghirardelli Velvet Scout 1994 - 2008

[Scout]

Ghirardelli Velvet Scout
September 21, 1994 - March 22, 2008

Our sweet chocolate Scout had to leave us today. The tumor in her spleen made it so. She was still able to walk, but tired very easily and had a hard time getting up. She was able to "go outside" as long as we helped her on the stairs; she had her dignity still. I took her for a short walk in the sunshine, and she got belly-down in the fresh snow a couple of times--one of her favorite things to do in winter! She was still alert, and interested in the water running in the street, and the snow and slush. You know how she loved to play in the water, any kind: her water bowl, a muddy rut in the road, the fountain in the back yard at the Schwarz home!

Scout was a great dog, a perfect dog. Not too well behaved, but not bad either. As with most dogs, she was as good as we taught her to be. She remained clever and mischievious all her life. Her ears were still as soft as velvet to pet. She loved to learn things: swimming, frisbee-catching, obedience, agility obstacle courses, biking with a springer. She was a digger and a climber from the minute I brought her home at 8 weeks. She kept climbing on her aunt Rhonda's in the car on the way home! She loved people, all of them. There wasn't a mean or cross or malicious bone in her body.

She went lots of places with me, and later with Gregg too. She swam in the Atlantic ocean, and Lakes Michigan and Huron, the Buff Creek many times, the Huron River, and the pond at uncle David's. She rode in the Jeep with us across the Mackinack Bridge, and had a picnic in St. Ignace. She played at Uncle Dud's beautiful Breakfast Point, and swam in the Au Sable. She stayed in hotel rooms on at least 3 occasions--once on Gregg and my wedding night, and Pete was there too!

We've buried her by Pete, and Nelson. She's by the water, and the ducks and geese, and the deer.

I hope I am evan half the person Scout thought I was.

<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Scout 8-5-07 small"></a>

[femmocrat]

1. What a beautiful tribute to a great dog.

I am so sorry for your loss. Sounds like she was a fun-loving companion and you gave her a wonderful life with so many adventures.

:hug:

[Scout]

2. thank you. n/t

[nuxvomica]

3. I think you are easily the great person she thought you were

We are all great persons, you see, but the scuff and soot of the world can sometimes obscure that truth. It takes a dog to teach us otherwise and I will always believe it because I will listen to the counsel of dogs.

Thank you for sharing your memories of your wonderful friend.

[Scout]

4. thank you. n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. I'm sorry. She looked and sounded like the sweetest little thing *hugs*

[Scout]

12. oh, she was a sweetie! that is true. n/t

[Dangerously Amused]

6. Sweet Scout.

You provided a lifetime of joy and comfort, and she repaid you with unconditional love. It doesn't get any better than that.

[Scout]

13. it sure doesn't get any better than that. it is so worth it--it makes the feeling bad now, bearable.

:cry:

[Chovexani]

7. Hail and farewell, Scout. (n/t)

[Scout]

18. thank you n/t

[driver8]

8. What a beautiful tribute to Scout.

I am so sorry for your loss...she sounds like a wonderful girl and companion.

[Scout]

14. she was great, the best dog ever! thanks. n/t

[Eurobabe]

9. RIP G.V. Scout, so sorry Scout family

This must be a very tough time for you. :hug:

[Scout]

15. it is tough. Ned (our other dog) is doing his best to comfort us too. n/t

[UrbScotty]

10. Oh dear.

So sorry to hear this.

:hug:

[Scout]

16. thank you very much for the hug. n/t

[marzipanni]

11. Reading what you wrote about Scout, I tremembered this poem

Dharma- Billy Collins


The way the dog trots out the front door
every morning
without a hat or an umbrella,
without any money
or the keys to her doghouse
never fails to fill the saucer of my heart
with milky admiration.

Who provides a finer example
of a life without encumbrance—
Thoreau in his curtainless hut
with a single plate, a single spoon?
Gandhi with his staff and his holy diapers?

Off she goes into the material world
with nothing but her brown coat
and her modest blue collar,
following only her wet nose,
the twin portals of her steady breathing,
followed only by the plume of her tail.

If only she did not shove the cat aside
every morning
and eat all his food
what a model of self-containment she
would be,
what a paragon of earthly detachment.
If only she were not so eager
for a rub behind the ears,
so acrobatic in her welcomes,
if only I were not her god.

[Scout]

17. oh that's wonderful! i never read that before, thank you very much n/t

[hobbit709]

19. I am so sorry

R.I.P.

[Scout]

21. thanks very much, hobbit n/t

[YellowRubberDuckie]

20. What a sweet puppy. I'm so sorry for your loss, sweetie.

:hug:
But it sounds like she had a wonderful life. That's all we can hope to give these creatures who come into our lives, make us fall in love with them and then are gone entirely too soon.
By the way, isn't 14 especially old for a dog that big?
Duckie

[Scout]

22. yes, she was 13-1/2, that was a good long time for a lab

she stayed in pretty good shape until the last year or so. she had arthritis in her hips, and we found out by accident when looking at the tumor x-rays, that she had arthritis in her spine. she could walk around fine, but couldn't jump or run very well. she could still climb onto the sofa just fine tho', pretty much right up to the end!

[txwhitedove]

23. A lovely farewell to a furry member of your family. She was loved.

:hug:

[xchrom]

24. for Ghirardelli Velvet Scout...

Dear God, you have given us care over all living things; protect and bless the animals who give us companionship and delight, make us their true friends and worthy companions. Amen.



Dear God, protect and bless all beings that breathe, keep all evil from them, and let them sleep in peace. Amen.
--Albert Schweitzer, "Memoirs of Childhood and Youth"


Eternal Spirit, we bring you our grief in the loss of Ghirardelli Velvet Scout and ask for courage to bear it. We bring you our thanks for Ghirardelli Velvet Scout who lived among us and gave us freely of her love. We commit our friend and companion Ghirardelli Velvet Scout into your loving hands. Give us eyes to see how your love embraces all creatures and every living thing speaks to us of your love. Amen.

[Wcross]

25. You were blessed to have her in your life.

Rest in peace scout, good girl.:cry:

[Scout]

32. i was very lucky to have her n/t

[PeaceNikki]

26. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

I love doggies with velvety ears!

May she rest in peace. :cry:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

27. Rest Well Good Girl

What a sweet animal Scout, thank you for sharing her story.

:hug: :cry:

[Scout]

30. thank you for your kind comment. she was a very sweet dog n/t

[lost-in-nj]

28. Scout sounds like she was a woderful dog

and all those memories you have sound awesome....

:hug:


I am sorry about your friend....



lost

[Jamastiene]

29. I lost my perfect cat on the same day you lost your

perfect dog. I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this too. :hug:

My Little Domino passed yesterday morning.

[Scout]

31. it sucks, doesn't it? we're so lucky when animals are our friends

:hug:

[Beaverhausen]

33. What a wonderful tribute. She surely had a great life with you

:hug: Thanks for sharing her story with us.

[BarenakedLady]

34. I'm so sorry

Sounds like she had a wonderful life with you. Beautiful tribute.

:hug:

[Pool Hall Ace]

35. Rest in peace, sweet Scout

moving tribute :cry:

[Flaxbee]

36. what a wonderful girl doggie Scout was -

and a lovely tribute to her. We had a chocolate Lab when I was growing up and she was just a fantastic companion. :hug: to Scout, may she rest in peace. I'm sorry for your loss; it sounds as if you had 14 wonderful years together.

[Scout]

37. we had many good times! i have lots of good memories n/t