1982 —- Jan. 12 2000
Dog
Tribble was a most amazing little dog I have ever known.
She taught me many lessons in the 18 years that I had her.
The most important lessons were:
to love unconditionally accept everyone for who they are
and to meet whatever comes your way with grace and dignity.
These are lessons that we will never forget.
Tribble had an accident when she was 9 years old she fell off
of a boat in dry dock and broke her back.
We decided to take a chance and she underwent back surgery.
After the surgery she had a long rehabilitation period that lasted
about 6 months. During that period of time she worked hard on her
physical therapy and never felt sorry for herself.
I spent more time feeling sorry for myself that my dog could have
such a tragic accident. She never would let me feel sorry for myself
for a long period of time her attitude was that she could beat this thing.
After about 6 months she started to walk again.
When she was up and running again her first order of business
was to let her first “fur-student” know that she was once
again the Queen. After that things returned to normal in our
house Tribble was the queen and PT the cat the princess.
All humans were there for their pleasure.
Unfortunately two years later she developed arthritis and was
not longer able to walk. We got her a K9 cart to help her get around.
When Tribble was in her wheels there was no stopping her
she ran and playing and life once again was normal for her.
She did not know that she was handicapped or did she care.
Her favorite activity was to swim she learned during her rehab
from her back surgery that when she was swimming
nothing could stop her.
We took on vacation to the beach while she was there she
drew a crowd of admirers. She would swim out as far as she could go,
then ride the waves back to the beach.
She would do that until she got tired then she would scoot up to
her “beach towel” and rest once she was rested she would start
all over again. Tribble didn’t even mind getting a shower at the
camper everynight to get all the sand she accumulated during the
day washed off. The next day when we would go to the beach,
her fan club would be there with more people to watch her
swimming in the ocean.
She loved the attention meant more pets for her!
Her favorite place to vacation was Kings Island she loved the
campground most of all the Pet Daycare Center.
Dave didn’t even have to tell her where to go when going to
the Daycare Center she knew the way.
At the end of the day she knew the way back to the campground.
If anyone got in her way while she was going to the Daycare Center,
she would just try to run over them. Once back at the campground,
the queen would hold court on our campsite.
All the children would come over pet her and play with her.
Tribble was always ready to graciously accept all the attention that
she received. Of course princess PT was waiting inside the camper
for her always watching her friend. PT likes to camp
but only as long as she can see Tribbie.
It was at the campground that Tribble met her last “student” a
mini Yorkie that came to live with us.
He was named Gazoo and he was her greatest challenge.
Gazoo is a hyperactive little guy that just wants to get into everything
be everywhere and just be a pain. Tribble also had to teach PT how
to tolerate him since he always wanted to bother PT when she
was resting. PT learned her lesson well Gazoo can annoy her as
much as he wants and she will never hurt him.
Gazoo also had to be house trained and know that he was third in
the pecking order of the house. Now the order was Tribble the Queen,
PT the Princess and Gazoo the Prince. When there were treats to be
given they all sat in their pecking order and waited until it was their turn.
Something Gazoo did not like too much but after a while he learned.
His life revolved around his “big sister” first thing in the morning
and last thing he did each night was give her a kiss.
When he was afraid he went to her and she comforted and
protected him. He was never out of her sight and PT was in the
background observing the lessons that were being taught.
His greatest lesson from her was humility and he learned that
on January 1 2000. They were outside playing and they decided
they were going to race down the street.
This was a race that Gazoo generally always won.
Not on this New Years Day Tribble beat him hands down.
This was not a lesson that Gazoo really wanted to learn that his
18 year old sister just beat him. She really enjoyed that one!
Ironically we had been noticing that Tribble was slowing down
and we did not think that she was going to make it until 2001.
We did not realize how little time we had left with her.
One week later she started to feel a little uncomfortable which
would happen sometimes when the weather would change.
A few days later she quit eating and would not drink even if we
tried to give her her favorite junk food she just turned her head.
By January 12 2000 if she was able to sit up she would just
topple over and she could not move at all without help.
Ultimately it was her sister PT that made us make the decision
that we never wanted to make. It was always my wish that Tribble
would just lay her head down and just go to sleep.
Tribble wasn’t going to let us take the easy way out she had
one more lesson in mind for me. Pt would jump on my lap and
just talk to me as if to say you have to do something.
On January 12 2000 I took our Tribble for her last ride in the car,
I held her to the end and told her how much we loved her and
that we were better for knowing her.
At 8:30am Tribble laid her head down and took her last breath
and my best lifes’ lessons teacher was gone.
She neglected to teach however how empty things would
be without her. PT tries to take care of Gazoo the same way
Tribble did and will not let him out of her sight.
Sometimes though she just wants to be held and tell you
her sad story. Gazoo tries to run and play like he used to but,
he knows something is missing. He keeps searching for what
he lost he doesn’t understand that she isn’t coming home.
Dave and I try to help them and make their lives like they once
were but their stabilizing influence is gone.
There isn’t a day goes by that we don’t miss her and
want her back but we know that can’t happen.
We are forced to live with pictures and memories.
Tribble made alot of memories.
When we go someplace in our community someone will always
ask how she is doing. We then have to tell them she passed away,
the amazing thing is they all have a story about her.
In her lifetime she touched alot people and inspired them with
her never give up attitude. Even though her presence is gone
her spirit is alive for ever. In retrospect I guess her last lesson for us,
is that life must go on without her.
A lesson I don’t like learning.
Dave Jane Lee Gazoo
and Pt Pellegrini
| Tribble |