Mom and I are getting used to living without Harper, but I still miss him. Mom said maybe it would make me feel better if I talk about him some.
Harper was a smooth collie and a Malinois. Malinois is a fancy way of saying Belgian Shepherd.
Harper never acted much like a collie. He didn't want to herd anyone. The truth is that he liked to kill smaller animals if he could get his paws and teeth on them. He especially liked to kill birds.
I think he liked attacking critters because he was part Malinois. The Malinois is important to the security of our country.
When SEAL Team Six went to kill Osama bin Laden, they had a Malinois to lead them.
A Malinois guards The White House, too. When that guy jumped over the fence at The White House, the Malinois would have gotten rid of him, but nobody told the Malinois what happened. I think the people who work there were so surprised that they forgot to tell the Malinois. Every Buddy should always remember to tell the Malinois when there's a problem.
Here's a Malinois in action:
I feel proud because my best friend was the kind of dog who helps protect our soldiers and our President. Harper never bit anyone, but he was super good at jumping. That's why he could catch birds.
The problem is that I miss him so much. I don't have anyone to play Chase Around The Big Bush In The Backyard with me. I don't have anyone to bark with me when I see a cat or a stranger. I tried to teach Mom to bark, but she's not a good barker.
I haven't even felt like playing Doggy Toy Sneakery.
Mom tries to help me feel better. She says that in a way, Harper will live forever because he taught me how to be a good dog, and I help teach dogs we meet at the park. I show them how I walk next to Mom and do what she says. Maybe another dog will come to live with us, and I'll teach him, and he'll teach younger dogs.
Faulkner, The Original Dog, taught Harper. It's nice that we doggies can help each other.
Mom has been taking me for lots of long walks to help me feel less lonely, but I think my heart will always miss my best buddy Harper.
Okay I love you bye-bye.
Franklin the Bordernese
That last picture says it all.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Mom and I get sad and tired.
DeleteSo sorry about Harper. :-( He sounds like he was an amazing dog. I'd never heard of a Malinois before today!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Mom didn't know about the Malinois until she met Harper.
DeleteFranklin, my good buddy, I'm feelin' you. I know that you and Mom miss Harper. Life around the house isn't the same without him. It's a difficult adjustment for both of you but it will get easier in time. It helps to talk about it, doesn't it? One thing is for sure. You will always remember Harper. Maybe you and Mom can go dog shopping together and find another playmate for you, one that you can teach as Harper taught you and Faulkner taught him.
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing me that video. The Malinois is a very intelligent and trainable breed. I'm sure you and your fellow Bordernese are very special, too. Have a nice weekend, Franklin, and please take good care of Mommy.
I always take good care of Mom, Mr. Shady.
DeleteAw. Poor Franklin. I remember when my first dog lost his best friend, he wouldn't eat for a week.
ReplyDeleteMom says that when Thoreau died, Faulkner was sad for a long time and just slept on the couch.
DeleteOh, I like that Malinois! He reminds me a Schultz. Except Schultz doesn't know how to go in reverse. We'll have to work on that!
ReplyDeleteI don't go in reverse, but I'm good at going forward when I walk Mom.
DeleteAwwwww. Our Persian cat was so sad and lethargic after our dog... her best friend... died. I'm sure you miss Harper in just the same way, Franklin. You and Janie both. I think you should talk her into visiting the animal shelter and finding another dog to keep you both company. Any dog ... young, old, big, little, or somewhere in-between... would love to live with you.
ReplyDeleteMom says it's too soon to have another dog. We need to wait a while.
DeleteOh, my, that was truly sad.
ReplyDeleteHugging my dog, Pal, now.
Mom hugs me lots. She kisses me, too.
DeleteAw, this made me so sad. Not only are the humans sad when we lost a friend, but the other animals in the home feel the loss, too. Still so sorry, Franklin and Janie that you lost your buddy.
ReplyDeleteI was AMAZED at that video! Wow, that dog was beyond well trained.
We're just sad. The house feels empty.
DeletePoor darling. Perhaps mum will buy (or better still, rescue) another dog. Lots of animals need new homes and someone to love them.
ReplyDeleteHave a word with her and take good care of yourself. Hugs from Down Under and Off to the Side xo
Mom might adopt another dog sometime, but not now.
DeleteKeep on barkin', Franklin. I hope you have a new buddy some day.
ReplyDeleteI've met some nice dogs at the park.
DeleteOh, Franklin, I don't have a dog but would you like ME to come & play Chase Around The Big Bush In The Backyard with you?
ReplyDeleteYes, please, Mrs. Ducky.
DeleteHang in there, Franklin.
ReplyDeleteI'm hangin', Mr. Chatterbox.
DeleteOh, Franklin, I wish you could play with Coco...and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play and play ... Coco is high IQ, but high activity and she wants the whole world to join in on the fun.
ReplyDeleteHarper was lucky to have you as a friend.
I would like to play that much. I know I would love Coco.
DeleteYou know I have never heard of a Malinois dog nor a Belgian Shepherd but Harper was a nice looking dog such a good mix Corgi/Malinois I like the look of that mix life without him must be sad but time heals and one day you will notice it is ok not having him around and you are not as sad
ReplyDeleteWe're already not as sad as we were at first.
DeleteOh Franklin, I am sad for you. It was nice to hear about your friend, and I hope soon you and Mom will be ready to make a new friend!
ReplyDeleteWe make friends at the park.
DeleteMy name is Toby, the feral cat. I used to have a buddy who licked my ears, but he died. No one licks my ears now. I've tried to teach my mom how to do it, but after I lick her finger she won't stick it in my ear.
ReplyDeleteYours in great sympathy,
Toby
Thanks, Toby. Harper cleaned my ears for me. I don't know why, but he liked cleaning ears. I don't clean ears.
DeleteJanie, I think I'll cry for your poor puppy. I have two dogs who have become very dependent on each other and the older one is now 12....I'm sure Polly will miss Izzy as well when she goes to doggie heaven.
ReplyDeleteWe don't want you to cry, Mrs. Linda Kay, but Mom and I feel kinda weepy, too.
DeletePoor fella!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mrs. Fancy.
DeleteHi Franklin. Thank you very much for sharing a photo of Harper. Such a sweet friend and brother that will always be thought off and missed. Sounds like you have a lot of special memories. I hope those will bring you joy.
ReplyDeleteMy dog, "Whiskers" is in the heavenlies. I'll send him a message to be sure and look for Harper. He can also introduce him to my three wonderful birds that live there too. One day we'll all be together. Then I'll get to meet you and your Mom... maybe have a big picnic and toss around frizzbees.
Thank you for sharing your story of loss. I'll keep you in my thoughts, Franklin, with love.
Whiskers can be friends with all of Mom's dogs who have gone to Heaven.
DeleteI really want a Border Collie, but that Malinois may change my mind. Sorry you are lonely. You really need a new buddy.
ReplyDeleteBorder collies tend to get bored unless they have a herding job. I don't know about a purebred Malinois. I imagine they need a lot of training.
DeleteMy Saturday post is dedicated to you and Franklin... with a link to this post. I sincerely hope you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteWe appreciate the love.
DeleteFranklin, I'm sad for you :( However, you have awfully good typing skills for someone without opposable thumbs.
ReplyDeleteYeah. heheheh
DeleteSo sorry Franklin. My old dog is getting on in years, and it makes me nervous. You guys aren't just dogs, you're buddies and we love and miss you when you're gone.
ReplyDeleteMom says I'm her best friend now.
DeleteOh, Franklin, I am so sorry, this is such a sad story. Maybe when your mommy reads this, she may start to think about getting you another dog to play with. Samson never told us how much he missed his Angel, but when Faith came to live with us, we could see how much happier he was. Sending you lots of hugs, tummy rubs and petting across the internet way.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mrs. Inger. I need a puppy like Faith.
DeletePuppy time, Franklin?
ReplyDeleteI hope so, Mrs. Susie. Mom says she misses you.
DeleteWhen our old dog Charlie's doggy pal died, he would go up to the end of the drive and look off into the distance for hours as if he though his friend would return at any moment and he didn't want to miss it.
ReplyDeleteR
That's sad, Mr. Rick. I don't look for Harper. I know he's not coming back. It's a beautiful day. Mom and Willy Dunne Wooters will take me for a walk.
DeleteI'm so sorry about the lose of your beloved pet. My dog Thor, was my world. I miss him so bad I still cry and its been 11 years.
ReplyDeleteFaulkner died in 2010. I miss him so much it hurts.
DeleteI'd never heard of a Malinois before this. I thought perhaps it was a crossbreed between a Malamute and... something. Or maybe a Malamute from Illinois? No, that's stupid.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of breed, I can't imagine ever losing any of my 4 dogs, and they're all stupid and essentially useless.
Malinois is a fancy French word. Mom and I don't believe what you say about your dog. There is no such thing as a stupid, useless dog.
DeleteSo sorry about Harper. Sounds like he was a wonderful brother. Your Mom is right, he will be with you always. Keeping y'all in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mr. Canyon.
DeleteYou must get your mum to get you a new friend. Perhaps another lonely one who is looking for a good home. Millie sends her love, she knows what it’s all about and her mum does too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Millie and Friko.
DeleteI'm so sorry you're hurting. Somethings just never get any better. Enjoy your walk, and your beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great walk yesterday. We let Willy Dunne Wooters go with us. It was such a pretty day. Today we had a huge storm.
DeleteI'm still sad over my childhood dog and he died 26 years ago. Be strong, Franklin and Janie!
ReplyDeleteWe try. We will always miss the doggies who have gone to Heaven.
DeleteAh, Franklin. I'm sorry to read that you are missing your best friend. I also know your mom is missing him as well. I believe animals grieve, just like humans, and maybe more because their love is so authentic. Hang in there, enjoy your walks, and who knows maybe Mom will bring home another friend who needs a loving home. Your friends: Chip, Autumn and The Human Steph xx
ReplyDeleteI know Mom misses Harper a lot. It's gotten cold and she doesn't have Harper to keep her warm in bed. I don't like to sleep in the bed. Thanks, Chip, Autumn, and Ms. Human.
DeleteOh I am so sorry to hear about Harper. It's so hard, isn't it? My cat, Ms Buster still misses Daisey Mae and this new kitten is not at all what she expected. I always saw NO MORE but I can't imagine my life without these beautiful souls. Hang in there Janie and Franklin.
ReplyDeleteMom says never say never. Maybe some doggy who needs us will come along. I don't think I want a cat, but Mom says they are soft and sweet.
Delete