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Thursday, November 4, 2010

On This Day In History...

November 4 is an important day in the history of our family.  The fact that two important things in our life on the same date, a year apart, made me ponder some things.  It really gave me the sense that things in life really do come full circle.

A year ago today, we had to say good-bye to Hawk.  His body just couldn't keep going.  We had been in for some tests with him about a week before, and I recall that throughout Halloween night, he slept through the hustle and bustle of trick or treaters coming to the door.  I really thought that he'd bounce back, but we had to let him go even before we found out the results of the tests that were done.  In my heart, I know that even if we'd gotten those results, it still would have been time for him to go.  It was the end of an era for us.  Hawk and Treat were our first Greyhounds and they signified the beginning of our life together and our lives as adults with dogs.  Hawk stayed around long enough to make sure that Bunny was trained in the mysterious way that he and Treat carried themselves, I believe, and having completed those lessons, he moved on to be with Treat.

Two years ago today, a German Shepherd puppy was born.  She's turning out to be a funny, curious and sensitive companion who keeps us on our toes.  Sharing life with a Shepherd isn't like sharing life with a Greyhound, but it has its own rewards.  After Hawk passed away, our plan was to stay at three dogs, and then after Lilac passed, we'd go down to two, which was what we'd really planned to be at anyway.  Life takes turns we don't expect, though, and here Morgan is with us in a four dog household again. 

I have a feeling Hawk is happy with his successor.  Morgan has some of the same traits that Hawk had.  She likes to have everyone stay together, just like he did.  He didn't do head counts like Morgan does, but I'm sure that if he'd seen it in action, he'd heartily approve.  Hawk was always protective of Treat and me.  Morgan considers herself Bunny's personal body guard at the dog park, and she always has to know where I am, too.  Hawk was really goofy, and I loved watching him play.  Morgan could be a one dog entertainment show most of the day.

I regret that we didn't take up hiking with the dogs when we still had Hawk.  He hated walking in town, but if we went to a different place, he was happy to go along.  I suspect that he and Treat both would have liked hiking, but we had the idea that Greyhounds didn't do such things, and we hadn't learned to appreciate it that much ourselves.  Having Morgan has been good for us in that respect.  She needs the activity, both physically, but also the mental stimulation that comes with our hikes.  I think it's also good for her to see that the world is a mostly not too scary place. 

Hawk wasn't perfect when we brought him home, and Morgan isn't either, but I grew by leaps and bounds as a person through my experiences of meeting and rising to the challenges that living with Hawk brought me, and I think I've already grown some with Morgan.  It's sometimes hard to see those opportunities for growth when you're going through the growing pains, but it's rewarding to look back and see where you ended up.  So, please join with us today as we celebrate Morgan's second birthday.  Our journey together is just starting, but who knows where we'll all end up!

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53 comments:

  1. Happy 2nd Barkday, Morgan!

    Thanks for sharing your story of Hawk, Treat and then it came to the birth of Morgan. I always believe that life is a cycle and somehow, there is something unnamed which unites us with our four-legged friends. Through them, we find love, learn from mistakes and grow up together with them. That's why Life is Beautiful!

    I never believe in miracles before Eva joined us. However, her unexpected arrival to our family did make me ponder at it and she's indeed God's gift. I think it's also something like what Morgan has which resemble as Hawk, something which is like a miracle...

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  2. Happy 2nd BarkDay Morgan! May you get lotta walks and yummy nom noms.

    Lovely story you shared today.

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  3. Happy Birthday Morgan. You sure are a stunning dog.

    Glad you have such wonderful memories of Hawk.

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  4. Hi there,
    I am currently on the road with Renner, but wanted to take a second to embrace this special day with you. Congrats all around, personal growth is always rewarding and certainly birthdays are so very special. Happy Birthday Morgan! (Now let's see here if I can post this through my cell phone connection!) :)

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  5. Happy birthday, Morgan! It's been so much fun to watch as Morgan integrates into her greyhound oriented family and puts her own pawsonal stamp on things. I think that probably a GSD was just what was needed to keep track of all of you and take attendance and all that. And she's so fortunate to wind up with a family that she can herd!

    lotsa birthday licks, Lola

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  6. Happy Birthday sweeet, sweet Morgan.
    I hope you have a great day!

    I enjoyed reading about Hawk, he seemed very special.

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  7. Happy, happy birthday, Miss Morgan! You got adopted into a most special family, you know that? And they are very much lucky to have you, too. Oh, and my mom says to tell your mom that she "knows all abouts those growing pains." But I have no idea what she's talking about.

    And thank you, Hound (and Shepherd) Mom, for sharing Treat with us. It was a Most Wonderful way to remember and celebrate such a luvly (and luved) boy.

    Wiggles & Wags,
    Mayzie

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  8. Hmmm, I wonner if'n Hawk had something to do with you hasing Morgan - he mite has sented her to you. OMD, Morgan duss that too at the dog pawk? When I used to go I would not let any udder dogs play with my furrends. If'n they tried, I would run rilly fast and body slam them away. I was such a pawty pooper! But anyways, this do be fur Morgan:

    ♫ Happy Birfday to You ♫ Happy Birfday to You ♫ Happy Birfday Dear Morgan ♫ Happy Birfday to You ♫ Arooooooo ♫

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  9. Happy 2nd Birthday to you Morgan hope you gets lots of special treats/toys for your special day. Also, wanted to tell you Mum that is actually Forest Park (south of Miller Park) in our post today on our walkies. We usually have it all to ourselves for our walkies. And if you are every going to Morine View State Park again, let us know maybe we can hook up. That is just about 20 mins south of us. HoundDogMom and The Hounddogs

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  10. Happy birthday Morgan!! Such a touching story! Isn't it funny how life always works out!

    Woofs and Kisses!
    The Fiesty Three

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  11. Morgan is the same age as our Germies!! Having a Germie has taught us so much as well. Every breed & every dog has their own personalities. It's so rewarding to be "tested" in different ways. I am such a different person than I was 4.5 years ago when I got Calhoun. I've grown more with every dog since. People without dogs or cats are just missing out!!

    The Heartbeats

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  12. Happy Birthday Morgan! I couldn't agree more that we tend not to see how our dogs are changing us (for the good) during the sometimes painful growing up phase. But, it is so true. Each dog teaches us new things. I love the puppy photo of Morgan in contrast to the grown-up Morgan.

    And, to Hawk, I think he'd be very proud of his successor. He sounds like a special boy.

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  13. What a wonderful post! Happy Birthday Morgan! I'll be sure to make mom give me an extra treat tonight, just for you!
    -Corbin

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  14. Happy birthday Morgan!!

    I'm so glad you shared your story. Dogs just make us into better people, don't you think?

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  15. A day of note to be sure! Happy Birfday, Morgan! You've been a fine addition to the household from what it seems like, and you're definitely a fine addition to the bloggy! :) *throws noms*

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  16. aaahhhh and Happee Birthday Morgan
    Benny & Lily

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  17. Happy Happy B'day Morgan!!!!

    Us GSDs are different, but we love our peoples and families! I bet Hawk had something to do with you ending up with your family! I mean, someone has to take care of the peoples and greyhounds!! :)

    When mom and dad got me after Maggie passed, they said I had SO MANY Maggie-isms!

    Happy happy b'day, hope you get some treats!

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  18. Happy 2nd Birthday Morgan!! I know you're not a greyhound but hopefully you'll understand this...Rooooos to you from Gigi & Tomas

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  19. What a great story~

    Happy Birfday Sweet Morgan!!! You have it good!!

    Hugs to you and your sweet family!!
    much love,
    IzZY, Josie, TriXie and Anakin Man

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  20. Thank you for sharing with us. This day has real resonance for you. It will always be special.

    Your Pal,

    Opie

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  21. HAPPY HAPPY BARKDAY, Morgan!

    We think u are a wonderful beautiful girl and your family is definitely very proud to have you in their lives.

    We believe it is destiny that brings us together. we are meant to live and love and share our lives with the people who love us, the families that are ours.
    I came home overnight and so did Buddy. Mummy had just gone to meet me at my neighbour's because I was such a cute little pup. Suddenly my neighbours were talking about selling me off because I was so energetic!
    Mummy brought me home instantly and paid them the next day!I was just about 10weeks old then!

    When Mummy heard Buddy was up for adoption she went over with some friends who actually was about to adopt him. We weren't ready to take in a grown dog, we didn't know how he would adjust with me alone.Mummy and Daddy goes off to work and are away for large parts of the day. But we all fell in love with him the moment we met him and Buddy came home to us 2 days after we met him!
    Now, it is difficult to imagine that he has just been here for over a year!

    We know how much u must miss Hawk. He was such a handsome boy!
    He must really be proud of you, Morgan

    wags, Buddy n Ginger

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  22. Thank you for sharing your memories of Hawk - what a beautiful dog he was!!! We love how you can link Hawk and Morgan - carrying on the love in a beautiful family.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

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  23. Lovely story about Morgan. Makes you think about Pondering. There's nothing quite like it.

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  24. Sweet post, thank you for sharing about Hawk & Morgan. Loved the picture,

    Rudy's Raiser

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  25. Happy Birthday Morgan, you indeed have a great home.
    Hawk and Treat were such wonderful greyhounds to share your lives with.
    Our lives too have been touched by different dogs - we adore Martha and Bailey but we still miss those that have gone before.
    They hold a special place in your heart forever - each of them bringing their own joys and challenges!

    Like you, we believe we are better people for having faced the challenges although sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that!
    xxx

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  26. I remember last year when you lost Hawk... I was so surprised when I read the news, I can't believe it has been a year.
    He definitely had a hand in bringing Morgan to you guys, scheming from the Bridge.

    Happy Birthday Morgan! Here's to many many more healthy and happy B-days!

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  27. What a bittersweet post -

    Here's to Hawk
    AND
    Here's to Morgan

    Thanks fur sharing both of them with us!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra
    PeeEssWoo: I hope all of woo get KHAKE!

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  28. Happy Birthday, Morgan! And yes, I agree everything is connected and does come full circle.

    Your pal, Pip

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  29. Happy Birthday Morgan!!!

    Such a wonderful post.

    Pugs & Kisses,

    Yoda & Brutus

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  30. Happy Barkday to Morgan!!! Her is such a beootiful pup!

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae

    PeeS I hopes all of you get cake too!

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  31. Happy Birfday to the Morgan! Hawk sure seems like a swell fellow, and I know he's still over seein fings in your household! I'm pretty sure he approves, too!

    Fank you for sharin the very special memories.

    wif love from the Luke

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  32. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Happy birthday to you Morgan!

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  33. Happy birfday, Morgan!! I LOVE your baby pictures! I bet Treat and Hawk are smiling with approval!

    It's funny how plans for the number in our pack don't always go the way we think they will!

    Wags,
    Zona

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  34. Happy Birthday, Morgan! Love the sweet puppy photos and the sweet connection you have to Hawk. Hope your birthday was great!

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  35. Hi Bunny and Morgan,
    Happy happy Birthday Morgan!!!! I didn't grow up in a home that taught me how to care for and LOVE an animal!! They are just animals, my Mother would say!!!! How wrong she was!!! They are so much more!!!!!!! A Shepherd taught me to know and LOVE an animal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was so special!!!!
    XXOO, Bambi & Fern
    PS You welcome, I think you are a Best Doggy Mom!!

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  36. Wow, amazing how something so bad and something so good can happen on the same day.

    Happy Birthday Morgan! Hope it was a good one!

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  37. What a great post! It it so crazy the way things end up. I liked hearing about how you first got greyhounds, and now the evolution of your pack. And happy birthday to Morgan!

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  38. Morgan is a beauty; not a replacement for lovely Hawk, no -- that's never the way it works -- but another beautiful soul to love and give love. Funny how fate works. Funny, and kind.
    - - - - - - -
    Jack@PDB
    dog beds and more

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  39. Happy Birthday Miss Morgan!! I love that she is different from the greyhounds because that's how I feel about raising a bloodhound - they are so different than most dogs.


    RIP Hawk - I love reading about your memories that you left behind.

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  40. Happy Birthday, Morgan!
    I loved reading your post about Hawk and all those great memories you have of him.
    And sure Morgan is part of your family for a reason.
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  41. Awww, look at that puppy face. It's nice to have a good anniversary on this day to balance out the sad one.

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  42. Happy 2nd B'day Morgan! Hawk was surely a very loved cherished family member, sorry for your loss.

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  43. Ummmm...dat furst part bouts Hawk made me cry a little bit but don't tells nobuddy dat, okay!?!?
    And OMD...whys I not knows it was Morgan's birfday? I was clueless...daaaang it! Ain't it just amazing da things you peoples learn from us doggies? We is a wealth of knowledge.
    Dis was a beautiful post.

    Puddles

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  44. That is such a sweet circle of life story. Yes, dogs will come into our lives when we need them whether we know it or not.

    Mango Momma

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  45. Thats a very nice reflection. Thanks for sharing. I hope Morgan had a happy birthday.

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  46. Happy birthday, Morgan.

    I dread the anniversary of lost pets. Well, not dread. I just feel sad all over again. The photo with you and Hawk is too much but also perfect for the post. Bitter sweet, no?

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  47. I had to chuckle at your "plan" to get to a two dog family. After Cocoa and Ginger passed, we acquired Natasha. But a young Natasha and an elder Nikita did not seem right, so we acquired Rusty and were back to 3. The plan was to be at 2 when Nikita passed. But that hole was so huge, we added Kiska and Kodiak to fill the void, so we had somehow made it to 4. Qannik and Cheoah just did not seem to be that much more to handle so we ended at 6. Great planning to get to 2, huh?

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  48. Belated birthday wishes to Morgan! Thanks for sharing your story about Hawk and Treat, especially for those of us who weren't following your blog yet at that time. Truly a bittersweet story today.

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  49. Yappy birfday to Morgan! I loved her puppy photos. Thanks for sharing your beloved Hawk and Treat with us. They sound like an amazing pair.

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  50. There's a story that goes around e-mail that always catches my eye. One part of it is so very true. The family's dog just died, and they ask the son why he thought the dog lived such a short life. The boy answered "People are born and have to learn how to live and love and forgive one another. Well, dogs are born already knowing this, so they don't have to stay as long." Everytime one of my beloved furiends passes, I think of this.

    Sam

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  51. I can't believe I've been following your blog for over a year now! I discovered your blog shortly before you lost Hawk - actually I think you discovered mine first and left a comment which lead me to yours :) Anyway, I was just getting to know Hawk and his sisters and all of sudden I read the news and remember sitting on the couch crying that night.

    P.S. Happy Birthday Morgan, glad you can bring a little happiness to this day!

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  52. Happy Birthday Morgan! Looks like are following in some pretty awesome pawsteps and doing a magnificent job, if we do say so! Thanks for sharing these stories and your puppy pics. Nothing more entertaining than watching a shepherd pup's ears from day to day - up, down, up, down, up . . .

    The Road Dogs

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