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Happy Tail: Mojo Von Buren, III This Happy Tale is one of joy, sadness, and hope. It's about an all important person, Peg's son Chip, and two very special animals, Mojo Von Buren, III; and the great German Shepherd's pal, Reebok the Cat, and about the hardest decision a person who loves a pet ever has to make - but knows when it's the right thing to do. The next earlier Happy Tail - Happy Tails: Hope and Trust By Peg Schaeffer News from Sugarfoot Farm Rescue Fourteen years ago my son, Chip, brought home a German Shepherd puppy. Mojo Von Buren, III was your typical German Shepherd pup, large, clumsy, and so cute. Chip had high hopes for Mojo, as all parents do. Most of all he wanted Mojo to be huge and he wanted him to be a watchdog. Mojo grew big, just like Chip wanted Mojo grew big, just like Chip wanted. He was so devoted to Chip and Chip loved his dog. Chip would take Mojo everywhere he went. During football season Chip and his friends would hang out at Chip's house watching the game and Chip's friends would bring their dogs. So while the guys were yelling at the TV screen Mojo would be playing games with his four legged buddies. One of his best friends was a Greyhound named Larry. Larry was a retired racing dog and had been adopted by one of Chip's friends. He looked like a small deer - agile and quick - and he and Mojo would race around the yard as if to be playing tag. Chip's one wish was that Mojo would be BIG and he was. His other dream was that Mojo would be a watchdog - well, one of out of two ain't bad. Yes, Mojo was a watchdog. He was so good natured that no one was his enemy. I'm sure if a robber had broken into Chip's house Mojo would have given him a tour of the valuables and then watched as he bagged them. Everyone knew Mojo and loved him. If Chip was going to be away and needed someone to care for Mojo it was never a problem. There was always someone willing to take the big guy in and keep their eye on him. He had perfect manners and was always a welcome guest. When Chip moved to an apartment, Mojo went too Chip had to move out of his house and into an apartment. Did he take his dog to a shelter because he was moving? No way. He searched and searched until he found a place that would allow pets. Once prospective landlords met Mojo there was never a problem. He was quiet, well behaved, and house broke. He would stay in the house until Chip came back and after welcoming Chip home he would go outside and go about his business. Happy times at Mansfield Hollow Dam On the weekends Chip would take Mojo to the Mansfield Hollow Dam to go hiking. Mojo always looked forward to Saturday's with Chip. When Chip opened the tailgate to the truck Mojo would leap in the back knowing full well that it was their special time together. While walking Mojo would bound up to hikers they'd meet on the trails as if to eat them alive and give them a wag of the tail. If he met other dogs he would charge up to them, fur standing up on his neck, and begin to play with them. Everyone was his friend. While at the dam he always went swimming. Chip would throw a stick into the water and Mojo would dive after it, he'd bring it back to Chip and the game would continue. When I moved to Kentucky in 2006 Mojo was 7 years old. Every September I would go back to Kentucky to celebrate Chip's birthday. I was always glad to see Chip and just as happy to see my grand dog, Mojo. Mojo knew I was "Gram" and enjoyed spending time with me. I knew where the cookies were hid and always would give him extras when Chip (Pa) wasn't looking. (What are Grams for?) The last few years back to visit I could see Mojo was starting to age. Three years ago I went with him and Chip to Mansfield Hollow Dam hiking. Mojo still swam after sticks thrown in the water but got tired soon. The next year Chip told me how Mojo had jumped into a stream to swim but didn't have the strength to climb up the bank and out of the water. Last year Mojo slept most of the time I visited. But he was always sleeping at Chip's feet. Silly, wasn't it, sending a birthday card to a dog? He turned 14 in May. I sent him a birthday card as I do every year. Silly isn't it - sending a birthday card to a dog. But Mojo has always been more than a "dog". He's Chip's best friend. I moved 1,000 miles away from my son and I left Mojo in charge of caring for him. Mojo did a great job. He listens to every word Chip says. He gives him unconditional love and would do anything for him. Probably a better friend than I am a mother. An inevitable choice had to be made Whenever I talk to Chip on the phone my first question is always "How's Mojo?" Chip will say how he's getting older. He's getting disoriented. He has a hard time walking. He is starting to become incontinent. It won't be long Mom. Chip called me last Monday to say he had made the decision on Saturday to have Mojo euthanized. He spent the weekend with him, slept on the floor beside him at night, and said his good byes. On Monday morning he took him to the vet and Mojo crossed the Rainbow Bridge. The hardest decision anyone who has loved a pet can make That is the hardest decision anyone who has ever loved a pet can make. How do you know if you are making the right choice? You know, you just know. To keep a pet alive that is suffering is just selfish. Nothing seems to justify taking away a beloved friend's life. But sometimes it's the right thing to do. Chip had Mojo cremated and is going to take his ashes to the Mansfield Hollow Dam. Have fun hiking and swimming my grand dog. RIP Mojo Van Buren III. Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really - Agnes Sligh Turnbull THE RAINBOW BRIDGE Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.- Peg Schaeffer Contact us if you would like to help. Peg Schaeffer, Sugarfoot Farm Rescue, 860 Sparksville Road Columbia, KY 42728 Sugarfootfarm.com peg@sugarfootfarm.com Home telephone: 270-378-4521 Cell phone: 270-634-4675 This story was posted on 2013-07-07 07:29:26
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More articles from topic Happy Tails by Peg Shaefer:
Happy Tails: Hope and Trust Happy Tails: Every once in a while, an UN-HappyTale Happy Tail - Peg's Memories of her Dutch Dad on Father's Day Happy Tail - It Takes A Village Happy Tails: Planting a garden Happy Tails: Memorial Day tribute to dogs in service Happy Tails: May 19-25, 2013 is Dog Bite Prevention Week Happy Tails: Mothers Day is for all mothers Happy Tails: Is this the dog for you? Happy Tails: Seniors and Seniors View even more articles in topic Happy Tails by Peg Shaefer |
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