OT: Great ESPN article any dog owner should read

[JEA2880]

Hey all,

I'm a huge Bill Simmons (aka "The Sports Guy" on ESPN) fan and always read his stuff, but today he wrote a great, albeit somber, article about his dog that I think anyone who has ever owned a dog can relate to. I'm never one to promote columns like this, but this one really hit close to home and I thought it would be nice to share with the board. Enjoy!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... ons/090122

John

 

[daveyou]

thanks for making a grown man almost cry before bedtime...

on a serious note, i have two dogs that i love dearly. i even joked to my friends (and once to a girlfriend, which did not work out btw! lol!) that if i had to choose between my dogs or you guys/girls in the drowning scenario, i'd save my dogs.

dave

 

[JEA2880]

thanks for making a grown man almost cry before bedtime...

on a serious note, i have two dogs that i love dearly. i even joked to my friends (and once to a girlfriend, which did not work out btw! lol!) that if i had to choose between my dogs or you guys/girls in the drowning scenario, i'd save my dogs.

dave

Well said Dave, I'd be lying if I said my eyes didn't well up by the end. Nevertheless, it makes you appreciate our best friend's that much more.

 

[shanks25]

No "almost" about it for me...

Thanks for the link....

 

[MacK]

Great article. I love dogs, but I don't own one. I babysit a little Boston Terrier all the time, and consider him mine almost.

 

[hitforthecycle]

Great read. Thanks for sharing.

 

[JEA2880]

Great article. I love dogs, but I don't own one. I babysit a little Boston Terrier all the time, and consider him mine almost.

I won't hold your ownership by proxy against you Dogs are great, and reading Bill's story beats the hell out of dropping $11 on Jennifer Aniston telling me the same thing...

 

[cowboysrule48]

This hit home. My little Brandy died of cancer after my freshman year of high school(I'm a sophomore in college now). I still think about her almost everyday, my parents had her before I was born, so we grew up together. I guess I was lucky to have her as long as I did. When she was 10, she had cancer for the first time, and the vet gave her six months. She lived for another five years after that. When it came back the second time, it was rooted in her jaw instead of on her paw and nothing could be done to remove the tumor. She went downhill in the span of about a week.

 

[PaulKonerkbro]

GREAT article/story right there.

Packer (my dog) is the best!

 

[lisu]

Awww, what a great article. It makes up for me being upset with my dog tonight because she decided to pee on the floor instead of going outside.

 

[Pool Boy]

I used to hate animals. Then we got an English Bulldog named Betty. I'd do anything for her now. The bond is incredible. She is so loving and loyal. Man's best friend. And I'm not afraid to say I love her more than most people.

 

[JEA2880]

I used to hate animals. Then we got an English Bulldog named Betty. I'd do anything for her now. The bond is incredible. She is so loving and loyal. Man's best friend. And I'm not afraid to say I love her more than most people.

Ahh English Bulldog's are the greatest! My 2 dogs are in CT with my parents now that I'm out in Illinois on my own, and I think the first dog I get out here (if not a shelter dog) will be a bulldog.

 

[muskiesfan]

That was a fantastic read. Thank you for sharing.

I was choking back the tears for a minute, then I decided who cares and just let them go.

January 22nd is my dog's birthday. He turned 5. My wife and I sang Happy Birthday to him and everything. He's a huge part of our lives. In case anyone is curious, he is a Toy Poodle.

I have always been a fan of big dogs, but my wife prefers lap dogs. I guess it's obvious who won. :lol: I couldn't be happier though. He is absolutely fantastic. There isn't anything we wouldn't do for him. My friends and family tell us we spoil him, but he's not spoiled, just well loved.




Joe

 

[marterburn]

I was blessed to have two dogs growing up that both lived full lives and died in their early teens (they were Briards, so that's very good). They complimented each other very well; Rocky was a little cranky and energetic, Bonnie was endlessly tolerant. They helped nurture the love and respect for all animals that I have today, even my stupid cat. We are currently in the same situation that Bill was in at the beginning of the article, and we look forward to getting and raising a dog in a few years.

But I miss those two a ton.

-Max

 

[70Chip]

John, terrific read and thanks for posting the article. Brings back a lot of memories, good memories .

 

[Guest]

great article thanks for sharing the link. As a dog owner and had many a dogs growing up I can relate to this.

 

[Anthony K.]

thanks for making a grown man almost cry before bedtime...

on a serious note, i have two dogs that i love dearly. i even joked to my friends (and once to a girlfriend, which did not work out btw! lol!) that if i had to choose between my dogs or you guys/girls in the drowning scenario, i'd save my dogs.

dave

Couldn't have said it better dave.

My parents got a dog when I was still very young and we had to put her down after about 10 years or so, which I know is goof lifetime for most dogs, but it still tore me up (my father even moreso).

My wife and I have talked about getting a dog, but not until we get back to the states. I want a big dog, a fun one....she wants a medium to small one....but I know regardless of what size the dog is, we will love it regardless (and I am hoping my little man will love the dog as well).

 

[Billy Packer]

On the heels of seeing Marley & Me recently, I shed a few tears in the office yesterday after reading this thinking about my old buddy Jordan. He'll be 12 this year and is starting to show his age, especially during these cold winter months. Even though he's doing okay, he's much closer to the end of his time than the beginning.

 

[JEA2880]

Bump for the afternoon folks

 

[kentuckyderby]

Marley and Me was a tough one to watch

Had 2 dogs growing up along with cat

Have labradoodle now

they are family