I have loved teasing you about your age, accusing you of being anywhere from 200 to 857 years old. But I admired you for hanging in there without trying to convince us you were 35. Sometimes it was a lot of work for you to drag your stiff old self out of those cozy blankets and do your part in guarding Green Acres and The Compound, but you did it. You suffered through the occasional indignity like diapers with a look that clearly said, You humans; what foolishness will you think of next? And even though you were never a cuddly dog, and there were some things that made you timid, you were always ready to stand still for a pat on the head and an ear scratch.
You were loyal and loving to Craig, and when he died last year, because your own health had been failing, most of us thought you’d soon follow. You stayed behind for more than a year, maybe because you knew you needed to teach some manners to those pups Sue and Minute, but also because you still had love and comfort to give to Lynne. You understood what Laura asked from you, and you will be missed by her and Jess, who you helped take from childhood to the fine man he is today. You were his friend for fifteen years!
You were unfailingly kind to Margot and Guinness, for which I will always be grateful. And you let Seig and Rex know that it’s best not to annoy a female of a certain age because nobody can quite put you in your place like a tough old broad.
We were happy to offer you River’s crate so you could have a safe place to sleep. Tim was glad to take care of you when Lynne traveled. (He told us how, when you thought no one was looking, you sometimes summoned up your inner puppy and played well with others.) And Margot was delighted to sneak onto your pillow whenever she found it empty during your visits to The Compound.
I personally will always think of you under Lynne’s oversized, glass-topped coffee table, where you could keep an eye on everything and feel safe from the frisky dogs and many feet to be found in a home that is always open with warmth and welcome to friends and neighbors. I will think of feeding you by hand whenever I had the care of you. Yeah, I knew you were pulling a fast one on me, but I loved those quiet minutes just the two of us spent together, me talking, you listening and offering wisdom in a way dogs can.
Goodbye, Greta. I celebrate your living and the best of the spirit in you. I take comfort that you’re out of pain and “now you’re sleeping peaceful.”
Greta, Craig’s Dog
Companion to Lynne, Jess, Laura, Sparky, Minute, Seig, and Sue
Run free with Heidi, Hershey, Bubba, Pete, Stevie, and River
🙁 I am so sorry Greta is gone. She seems to have had a full life, with all her family and friends.
I am reall sorry about Greta.. I know how everyone loved her.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I’m sorry to read of Greta’s death but this is a lovely tribute.
Thank you.
aww, i’m so sorry to hear this, as i too loved to hear stories of how she kept those other dogs in line.
Thank you.
I’m so sorry. You and Timothy wrote great posts about her, tonight… and other nights. I’ll miss the good-natured jokes about her age.
Thank you.
Sorry to hear about your loss, but what a beautiful way to remember her.
Thank you.
My grandmother and grandfather aways had several dogs, Mainly I think, so the grandkids didn’t have to share. And whenever one of them would pass away, she would tell the kids that God called the lost one to heaven to become an angel to watch over a new baby that was born.
(Polish Theology 101) But wouldn’t this be the perfect reward for an animal we love? Unfortunately her story didn’t work on Oskar who still misses Ms. Nickie.
Oskar needs another companion, yes?
Yes, I think he is. But Oskar was ten on the 4th of July, so I’m really going to have to do a lot of careful thinking when selecting a roommate. Oskar was just 3 months old when he met Nickie and they got along pretty good. Except when Oskar wanted to sleep next to Nickie, or when Nickie wanted to sniff his butt. They actully only had one fight when Nickie got a little to rough in their playing, and Oskar hit her on the nose. So we”ll see.
🙁 Sorry, hon.
Thank you.
That feeling of an old dog leaning against my thigh while I scratch the soft skin behind her ears is my special memory of Greta.
Tom
And I’ve seen that so many times.
So sorry to hear this. May she rest in peace.
Thank you.
She was a great dog. And she did love chicken wings and cake. Remeber when she would scare herself flinging her bones around?
She was a character.
I’m very sorry Greta died. She sounds like she was a real sweetie. I’m glad she was adopted into such a loving home.
Thank you, Jeff.
tribute
Becky,
Of course my condolences to you, Lynne (and family), Tim, Tom and all. Although I never got to meet Greta, you and I have certainly shared many laughs about her antics. I know she’ll be missed by many. Your tribute to her here on your live journal is wonderful, and you never cease to amaze me at your ability to pay honor to those you love with your words and actions.
Much love,
Jim
Re: tribute
Thank you, Jim.