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Are Heart-Dogs made, or are they born?
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Green Bay, WI
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18 May 2014
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30 December 2018 - 4:47 pm
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This is something I've been thinking about as I remember my heart-dog Nitro...was he born my heart-dog, or did he turn into that as we made the Tripawd Journey? Without the cancer diagnosis, would he have been just another pet, like the 5 others before him? That's not to say I didn't love each and every one of them, because I did; but was he always special, or did he BECOME special as we battled that horrible disease? Was he always a Warrior, or did he turn into one during those 3 stressful, intense years? Maybe that breath-taking, larger-than-life love was always there and just took a tragedy to bring it out into the open.

Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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30 December 2018 - 7:01 pm
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Hmmmm.........

Certainly  this journey adds another dimension to our bond that we don't experience with our other dogs (hopefully anyway).  There's  a sense of urgency  to not waste one second  together.  The depth of love, the depth of spoiling , the depth of joy all speeds up.  You let them get away with ANYTHING and laugh and giggle as they do it😎

In your specific  relationship with Nitro, I think Nitro was always a Warrior.  He was always your larger -than -life -love. The journey opened  your great big heart up to all the  specialness wrapped up in his great vig heart!❤❤  

Also, Nitro's journey  and the Tripawds site  have brought you bonds with others that you just don't  find in any other journey💖  So I think you have to factor that into your answer. 

I DO believe  EVERY dog comes into our lives and teaches us more about love and more about life lessons than we could ever find in any other aspect of our lives.  They each have missions,  as we hoomans do.  I guess  "Heart dog"  is an individual "feeling" based on one's individual  relationship and can't really be defined in a Webster dictionary  sort of way..

I think it also depends  on where we are in our own Soul's growth.  Each relationship  enlightens us more and more and makes us become better human beings.   We recognize  what pure and unconditional  love look like💖

Hmmmmm.......

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Green Bay, WI
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18 May 2014
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30 December 2018 - 8:24 pm
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As always, such a profound and thoughtful response. I do think the journey "heightens" so many feelings and emotions. We go to war with (and for) our dogs, and the bond that forms is almost magical. And like you pointed out, the bonds we form with others who know exactly what we are going through....it almost defies words. 

Thank you for eloquently putting into words what I could not!

Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

On The Road


Member Since:
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31 December 2018 - 1:47 pm
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Great question Paula! 

Sally, you have such wisdom, and I totally see what you mean about

 The depth of love, the depth of spoiling , the depth of joy all speeds up. 

For example, Jerry was always special to us. But we had no idea how special until he was given the diagnosis. Then, everything about him felt 10x more powerful and once-in-a-lifetime. He taught us to "see," to appreciate life like never before.

So I do think that heart dogs are made, depending on what you experience together. Cancer is one of those things that can turn an "ordinary" pet-parent relationship into something unforgettable and irreplaceable, something that changes your life forever for the better.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet


Member Since:
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31 December 2018 - 5:41 pm
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I agree with all of this.  Thanks Paula for asking the question. 

xoxoxoxo

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013

05/04/2006 -  Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19  fought cancer for 4 months.

"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."

Schofield, WI
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13 August 2015
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1 January 2019 - 8:48 am
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I think heart dogs are made for a variety of reasons.  For sure this journey and especially if you are lucky enough to have an extended time builds a monumental bond that lasts forever.  My heart dog Jake was my last tie to my old life....boys growing up, pre divorce so he was with me through some difficult times.  That made it so much harder when I lost him because it was like my old life died with him. Also the way I lost him on that Christmas Eve 20 years ago still breaks my heart all these years later.   So I truly believe that circumstances have a lot to do with a certain dog becoming your heart dog.  Although as you move forward all the dogs you have after become special for many different reasons too.  And that's a good thing because the heart should grow to expand and include....that is what our heart dogs would want for us. ❤️

Member Since:
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1 January 2019 - 9:21 am
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Everybody has made such wonderful points, and I think it might be a little of everything combined. I don't think it is specifically the "tripawd" experience as much as it is the circumstances of what brought your bond closer. My Rosie girl was a quad. But her circumstances were quite traumatic also. She was brought in to the hospital I worked at as a stray hit by a car. 2 animal control officers had been chasing her for 3 days. In the process she ran head first into a moving car. They carried her limp body into the hospital. We didn't think she would make it. I assisted in her care and did not leave her side until she was awake and stabilized. She looked like an overgrown Boston terrier with a muzzle on, lol. Obviously she was too big to be a Boston, and once she came to and stopped thrashing frantically I slowly took her muzzle off … and fell in love with her pibble face. I worked on her rehab with her, and when she was strong enough to go to the shelter to be adopted out I could not do it. I took her home. When that dog looked into my eyes, she melted my heart every time. I needed a companion, she needed a safe and loving home. We both got what we needed. 

So I don't know if they are "born" that way, or if like people you grow a special love for each other and a special bond like some of the friendships here in Tripawds. Maybe it is just karma that you are meant to meet, and life leads you through its paths to each other. I do believe that some things happen for a reason, maybe both answers are right 💘

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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1 January 2019 - 9:43 am
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 "...the heart should grow to expand and include…"

And therein ole Wise Grasshopper Linda, lies the secret to life💖💖💖

Jackie, Paula, Jerry, Linda, Jackie, ....all so beautifully said.

As Michelle said perfectly:: 

   I agree with all of this.  

Special thanks to NITRO, JERRY, HAPPY HANNAH, JAKE, MAX, ROSIE, AND SASSY 

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Green Bay, WI
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18 May 2014
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1 January 2019 - 9:44 am
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I agree Linda, but I was sort of hoping they were born that way...seems more special somehow. That a heart-dog can be "made", from any dog because of circumstance, doesn't seem as magical or mystical.

Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro

P.S. But perhaps it's the WAY a dog handles adversity, like this journey, that makes them be a heart-dog....

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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1 January 2019 - 9:53 am
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In your specific  relationship with Nitro, I think Nitro was always a Warrior.  He was always your larger -than -life -love. The journey opened  your great big heart up to all the  specialness wrapped up in his great vig heart!❤❤  

  I guess  “Heart dog”  is an individual “feeling” based on one’s individual  relationship and can’t really be defined in a Webster dictionary  sort of way

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!


Member Since:
16 October 2012
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1 January 2019 - 12:00 pm
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I think they are born that way but our bonds mold them to make them "our" heart dog.   I know Sassy was mine from the minute I saw her but I think our journey deepened it to make it even more so.

xoxoxo

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013

05/04/2006 -  Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19  fought cancer for 4 months.

"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."

Santa Fe, NM

Member Since:
19 July 2016
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11 January 2019 - 4:37 pm
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as always, late to the game.

I've been thinking (sort of) about this myself lately. (something about an upcoming anniversary). What makes a heart dog a heart dog and how does that differ from our other dogs. As mentioned, I suspect Webster is not involved.

I knew the minute I say Isa's face on the shelter's website that she was mine, or maybe it was that I was hers. I always believed that she escaped/ran away/whatever from her first home because she was supposed to be with me. The first few years we were together were not the best in my life (human issues) and she kept me going and put a smile on my face. How can anyone be utterly unhappy with a dog running toward them with the giantest smile possible?

I agree with everyone the tripawd journey certainly intensifies everything but, as Jackie says, it's really any intense experience. 

And Isa was horribly spoiled long, long, long before she became a tripawd! 

Thanks for the food for thought all.

Hugs!heartheart

Teri and Angel Isa

Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.

Member Since:
26 January 2017
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14 January 2019 - 2:57 pm
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Good question. 

There's really no question that the cancer journey strengthens the bond. I always felt like Rocky and I were in a war together. When it stopped, I truly felt like I was standing on an empty battlefield in my living room. It was just a very eerie feeling. 

But I also think - had the cancer, the amputation, none of it ever happened - that Rocky would still be my heart dog. He was the first dog who was truly "mine." And I'm guessing I was the first person who was truly "his." He had been so much just to get to me. And once we find each other, our personalities meshed together so perfectly. 

David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)

Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.

He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know. 

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1 October 2017
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14 January 2019 - 3:21 pm
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I love that David! You know, now that you say that I did have dogs before Rose, and Pepper was a true gem. I loved her so much. She went through my divorce with me. She lived until just a couple months after I purchased my first house all on my own, and it broke my heart when she crossed.

Rosie and I … Rosie was the first dog that I chose all for me, all my myself, with no permissions or acceptance needed. We chose each other. When she was on the mend from being hit by a car, I was the person that came forward to take care of her. That day that the ACO brought her in and we worked on her trying to save her life, I was smitten before I even took the muzzle off to see what her face looked like. And once the muzzle was off, I melted. I needed her, she needed me. 

Paula asked this question, and I have thought about it bunches of times since my first post. Maybe I didn't read the question the way it was meant to be read. Some things are just meant to be. I was married twice before I met the love of my life. It took me 43 years to meet him. The day we met in Syracuse, NY after talking to each other for 9 months I felt it again. We just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary and we are even more in love now. We lived almost 1000 miles apart when our relationship began.

Some things are just meant to be. Heart people, heart dogs, the things that make you want to wake up in the morning. Maybe Heart- Dogs ARE born that way.. maybe Heart-People are too. 

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Germany
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14 December 2016
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16 January 2019 - 4:45 am
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That is such a Paula-question... I totally get where you're going with this but I do believe that the two years of , let's face it, hospice care in a way I still got with Manni completely changed me and changed my heart in a way, too. When you put all your focus on the care for and the survival of your dog and when that is pretty much all that occupies your mind for all that time and when you face despair inside all the time - how can that not change the way we feel towards an animal, or anyone, for that matter??

Unlike Rene however, I am not entirely sure that this changed me for the better. I am more solemn, I still hurt and still ask myself if I had not rather not loved and not lost. 

As much as I am with you in that I would love to believe that this one dog was the one for me, for my heart and from my heart, I also vividly remember how often I was at my wit's end with that guy, how he annoyed the heck out of me, but yes: what I do believe is that some pets are closer to our hearts from the start than others. (In fact i believe that works the other way around, too: I have met combinations of human/animal, be it dog, horse, cat, or whatever, that just were not a good fit at all...) 

I do, however, believe that Manni was meant to end up with me and that he had the potential for becoming a danger to society if he had ended up in different hands (same goes for my horse, actually...). And by the way: MY dog did so NOT love unconditionally. So maybe we should also make a point of asking them how they feel about this issue!? winker

Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.

Manni's blog -dogblog-

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