silverdog Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Durnstein's Phantom Nikolai, CDX, CGC 1997-2010 Yesterday I said a very sad goodbye to my special boy Nik. He made it to the grand old age of thirteen and a half, which is old indeed for a weimaraner, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. Nik was an awesome pet and and an awesome friend. He was protector and companion to my kids as they grew up, and instilled in them the same lifelong love for the breed that I have always had. He followed them around the house and yard, and I knew he was never very far away from them. He took his duties as their protector very seriously. He was also a favourite at their school, making regular appearances on 'show and tell" days, and waiting patiently by the playground with me every day after school. He and I taught many, many children how to behave around dogs, and more importantly, that not all big dogs are scary. He was a gentle, patient uncle to countless baby weims, never losing his cool, even when they pestered him, followed him around and climbed all over him. He seemed to love his role as "Uncle" dog and would spend hours playing with them. He was also a steady presence of calm in an often hectic multi weim household. Nik was an INSANE water dog, loving to literally fly off the end of a dock at a full run to retrieve a ball or float. He was a powerful swimmer, and I took great delight in the looks of amazement at our local dog beach, where he would out-swim the labs, retrieve their training dummies and present them to me (after executing a perfect sit in front of me, of course). This usually after me explaining to the disbelieving lab owners that yes, contrary to popular belief, weims really DO know how to swim. He was the first weim I competed in obedience with and it was a awesome experience. He was SO smart. He was bombproof... with one exception. He adored my mom, and would shamelessly break a sit or down to go bounding out of the ring to say hello to her if she showed up to watch us. He would always come right back in and return to the exact spot he had left, but of course, a big fat FAIL would go on his score sheet. It was great comic relief for the judges and spectators though. You definitely have to have a sense of humour to do obedience with a weim. He was a great camping dog. He loved the beach, and would spend hours with his head under the water, blowing bubbles and looking for clamshells to retrieve. Or, digging in the sand beside the kids. They often put his digging talents to work when they needed a moat excavated around a sandcastle. He really was the perfect family dog. It has been hard for me over the past couple of years to see him slow down and get old, but I think he enjoyed his final years of doing whatever he felt like.... sleeping on the couch, or in front of the fire on a cold day, or for the past couple of months, out on the deck baking his old bones in the hot summer sun. Still, almost right up until the end he would greet me at the door along with rest of the pack, silly grin on his face, toy in mouth, goofy little weim tail wagging. But, all good things must come to an end eventually, and yesterday I had to make the decision we all dread. His old body was just worn out and starting to fail him badly, and it was time. He let me know. I could see it in his eyes. And so, with a heavy, heavy heart, I made the call. He went to the bridge with his head on my lap, favourite vet by his side, tail wagging and his nose deep in a big handful of his favourite cookies. He was mid chew when his heart stopped beating. Not a bad way to go, I think. The house seems so empty without him today. The other dogs are missing him too. It is definitely a sad family here at the moment. He was such a big part of our lives for so many years. It will take a long time for all of us to adjust to life without Nik. Run free at the bridge my dear old friend. Katie and River and the others are waiting for you. I miss you desperately already, and it's only been a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 ;) Kind wishes to you and your family. It sounds like your lovely boy had the best life possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthdog Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Beautiful tribute. What a lovely dog. Rest easy Nik. Hugs to you and your family, silverdog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9angel Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 What a gorgeous tribute. My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. R.I.P. Nik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyForever Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Silverdog- What a beautifully written tribute, you made me cry again, and I'd just been crying whilst writing about my own Paddy, who I lost back in Jan, and only now could bring myself to write about. He was also C.D.X. titled, and a water-mad gun dog breed-a Golden Retriever. Your Nik sounds like a wonderful representative of his breed. It can be hard to love so much sometimes, but it can be wonderful, too. I'm sure you gave your wonderful boy a wonderful life. My thoughts are with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyd Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 I am so sorry for you loss, Nik sounds like he was a wonderful family member and companion to you RIP Nik My thoughts are with you all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverdog Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 Thank you everyone for your kind words. PaddyForever, I think we were both incredibly lucky to have been blessed with such amazing dogs. I have been spending a lot of time thinking back on all the wonderful things I did together with Nik. Having so many happy memories has really helped me get through the past few days. It still hurts, so very badly, but I take great comfort in knowing that he lived a long and happy life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelissaS Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Sorry for your loss. Sounds like a wonderful dog & sounds like he has a great life. R.I.P Nik :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyForever Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Thank you everyone for your kind words. PaddyForever, I think we were both incredibly lucky to have been blessed with such amazing dogs. I have been spending a lot of time thinking back on all the wonderful things I did together with Nik. Having so many happy memories has really helped me get through the past few days. It still hurts, so very badly, but I take great comfort in knowing that he lived a long and happy life. Silverdog-We were so very, very lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyForever Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 (edited) Those we love will wait for us, With expectant eye and ear, Until our faces they shall see, Our voices they will hear. In life, they were near to us, Now out of sight, but still, Watching, waiting patiently, For us to climb that hill. Over to that Special Bridge, To that other, distant shore, Where we shall be reunited, Together, forever more. Edited August 18, 2010 by PaddyForever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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