Mom wanted to share some of the photos she found of me during my ‘early years’, but sometimes talking about me is still a little ruff, so I thought I’d help her out by sharing these!
This is me as a pup with my foster family – they were a great first family. In fact, they named me. The rescue had originally called me ‘Bubba’ because I was the largest out of my eight siblings. My foster folks immediately saw my ‘softer side’ and thought that if they could hear my voice, I’d sound like the dog Chance in “Homeward Bound.” I liked the name Chance because I hoped someone would give me a chance to be their forever pup…and before long, someone did!
Here I am with mom and dad not long after they took me home.
Mom gave me LOTS of hugs (probably because I often forgot how big I was would try to crawl in her lap)
My favorite things were my bones!
I gave mom and dad this look a lot – you two legged types do some funny things…
We did lots of exploring in Utah! I went everywhere with mom and dad.
(mom and dad really wanted me to look at the camera, but the deer were so much more interesting!)
Can you see me peeking out from the tent? Mom was probably sleeping while Dad was awake and taking early morning photos!
Dad always said that if I hadn’t known my name so well when they adopted me, he would have called me Shadow because I was always right behind mom….
When I was five we moved to South Carolina, and while we explored some of their national parks, we spent most of our outside time in the backyard or hanging out at parks with playgrounds.
We moved to Iowa when I was 7. I was sooo excited to get to play in the snow again! The first photo below is a snow photo from Utah – I loved to chase mom and dad when they would sled down the hills!
And this is me supervising the construction of a snowman in Iowa…
I was always looking out for my family….those squirrels and birds knew better than to hang out in our yard when I was on duty!
One of my favorite things this summer was camping out in Grandma’s living room with my kids and their cousins!
Even superheros needs someone to watch over them…
I know my family misses me, but I also know mom has found comfort in sharing stories about me with the Tripawds community (my new friends have great pawrents). JD’s mom shared her Dog Heaven book with my family. My favorite part says, “sometimes an angel will walk a dog back to Earth for a little visit and quietly, invisibly, the dog will sniff about his old backyard, will investigate the cat next door, will follow the child to school, will sit on the front porch and wait for the mail (I wait for the bus). When he is satisfied that all is well, the dog will return to Heaven with the angel. It is where dogs belong, near God who made them.”
No matter where I am physically, my memory is always with my mom, in her heart…I am never far.
Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing. They remind us of the recent tribute slideshow we did for Jerry.
Chance was clearly very lucky to have you.
I am so sorry we are late to your blog. Sometimes, good dog blogs just escape us. We are now all caught up, so we have to comment about your journey. How tragic that the cancer spread before the amputation. We too wish that Chance was a tripawd. We are also very sad about the end. It is hard to believe how so much can change in one day.
Don’t worry too much about not wanting to do much. I think that is normal. It is very clear that you loved Chance and he had a wonderful life. We just love all of your pictures. You and Chance have certainly lived in some beautiful places. Try to take care of yourself and your family.
-Ginger and her pack
Lovely, lovely photos. What beautiful moments you captured of your beautiful boy.
Chance, your eyes tell me that your wisdom and your kindness brought a lot of comfort and leadership to your family. We know who the real alpha was in your pack!
Looks like we have a lot in common, I loved doing outdoorsy things with my pawrents too, we hiked and camped in a ton of cool places. What a lucky pup to have found such a great family.
I know they miss you sooo much, but you and I both know we never really leave, do we?
Oh this is such a wonderful timeline of Chance’s life. Each photo showed contentment, companionship and of course the love.
I know how much you are missing him and I am so glad the book has been a comfort to you. I felt peace and even smiled a bit when a copy was given to me after JD died.
Sending hugs to the whole family- has your husband returned yet?
Spirit JD’s mom
what a wonderful life, chance was a true gift to all of you. loosing a confidant, a best friend, a soulmate is so hard…but slowly and gently you remember the warm and special moments you shared, and the healing begins. thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures, he was one in a million. love never ends.
charon & gayle