Topper, My Gift From God

by Lori Gill
(Oak Hill, WV, United States)

We got Topper November 29, 1997. He was born on October 29th, 1997. He was a red merle. I fell in love with him the first time I saw him. He was so special, so loving, smart, and such a giving dog. So very willing to please us. As the years went on I grew closer and closer to him. He was someone I could talk to and knew wouldn't tell anyone. LOL. If I were sick, lonely, sad he knew and would be by my side at all times. He was my best friend. My life revolved around Topper. He didn't know he was a dog. He got Christmas gifts and birthday gifts. He was a brother to my children. The kids in my neighborhood loved him. He loved them too.

As he grew older I noticed him slowing down and he started getting stiffness in his legs and joints. But it never stopped him from being with us. He was always there. He loved having his ears rubbed and just being touched. And I loved being with him. As he got even older. We noticed how hard it was for him to get around, but I just loved him so much I just couldn't let him go. He was my best friend after all. He loved me as much as I loved him. When he turned 14 years old he seemed to take a turn for the worse.

He came in the room one day, stiffened up and fell over and started shaking. I panicked and ran to him and held him. After it just seemed he had them all the time. He got weaker and weaker. I still couldn't let him go. Everyone kept saying it's time to put Topper down. But I couldn't, I just loved him too much. My husband finally said we had to put him down. I thought I'd die. We took him to the vet and I begged her to save him. She checked him and shook her head no. I told my husband to just drive away, if we just took him home everything would be ok. Topper was just tired that was all. My husband wouldn't go he said Topper had had enough. We put him on the table. The doctor shaved him put the IV in his arm and let us say our good byes. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do.

I held him in my arms as he took his last breath. He died with his beautiful amber eyes wide open and looking at me. We just couldn't stop crying. We took him home. wrapped him in his blanket and buried him in the yard with a picture of us with him at the beach. It was raining as we put him in the ground. I walked over and put the first handful of dirt on his body. It's been 5 months since he has passed away. I still feel him around me. I still heard him. I still look for him when I come home from work. And I long to see him every day. The only comfort I have is that one day we will be together again one day in heaven. He will meet me at the rainbow bridge and together we will pass over and well never be a part again. Until we are together again. I'll be missing you.

Have Dog Training Questions?

Check out these introductory dog training videos...

I want my dog to stop being aggressive.

I want some help training my new puppy.

I want my dog to stop barking at everything.

I want my dog to walk nicely and calmly on the leash.

I want my dog to listen and come every time I call!