Lupe Lou as a young pup Yesterday I had to say goodbye to a little furry friend and great family member. Lupe Lou, a long-haired black and white Chihuahua began her walk across the rainbow bridge following a short period of suffering with congestive heart failure. She told us it was time when she refused her daily cookie for two consecutive days and refused to eat or drink at all. Nothing could have kept this little lady from her cookie but failing health.
Lupe was a devoted member of the family for nearly fourteen years, arriving with us at the tender age of eight weeks. She was my birthday present from my wife who knew I loved these little dogs. I named her from the song, Little Latin Lupe Lou by the Eisley Brothers, a hit in my younger years. And I wanted a Chihuahua since some of my fondest memories of childhood revolved around little Speedy Gonzales, my Chihuahua back then who would hide under the back yard picnic table to avoid dive bombing by the blue jays.
The day my wife presented her to me and I put her in my arms, it was love at first sight. She cuddled up very close and always loved it. That's one of the big advantages of having a small dog. They make good lap dogs and eat up that one-on-one attention.
When one of the big dogs outside barked to notify us of something going on, Lupe always passed the message clearly. Yes, it cost us a little sleep at times but it was a joy to watch her carry out her job. Though little, she would clearly have sacrificed herself for us.
As I prepared her grave and laid her to rest under a big pear tree, I teared up thinking about all of the funny stories that she had brought to our life. Once she thought she could catch a blue heron as he swept low on takeoff with Lupe trying to jump up and grab him. We were fortunate that never happened or our little bundle of energy would have been seen soaring away in the clutches of the big bird. Another time she was sleeping in the horse trailer while we cleaned it. Upon completion and not knowing she was there, she was locked in, unable at her size to get up and over the top of the rear gate. She was lost for nearly twenty-four hours before finally starting to bark. We had searched high and low everywhere, even in the horse trailer but not seeing her asleep in a pile of quilts that she rearranged for her comfort. I still don't know why she was silent for so long, maybe she was just comfortable on the folded pile of horse blankets while catching up on sleep.
But now she's gone and even the other dogs are looking around wondering where she is. Only Molly the rat terrier closely noticed as she stood in rapt attention as I finished little Lupe's grave. And it is fortunate that we have Molly and our other dogs, for they soften the blow when losing this little lady. But it's a blow nonetheless, and I'm not ashamed to say that we both shed those crocodile tears.
I read an article once where Billy Graham gave a wonderful and comforting answer to an age old question of animal lovers. Do we see our precious pets again? Dr. Graham said that if you are a person of faith and have a dog that has bonded with you, they become part of you as you in turn become part of their pack. In such instances, he opined that of course you will see those things that are part of you when you go to glory in God's Kingdom after earthly death. I truly agree with that answer.
So. Lupe Lou's pain and suffering is over and she has passed over the rainbow bridge to a place where there are no fleas, no violence, no fences and only love as she waits for us to come see her again. And oh, what a wonderful time that will be. Don't worry, Miss Lupe, we'll see you when our time here is done.
Lupe was a devoted member of the family for nearly fourteen years, arriving with us at the tender age of eight weeks. She was my birthday present from my wife who knew I loved these little dogs. I named her from the song, Little Latin Lupe Lou by the Eisley Brothers, a hit in my younger years. And I wanted a Chihuahua since some of my fondest memories of childhood revolved around little Speedy Gonzales, my Chihuahua back then who would hide under the back yard picnic table to avoid dive bombing by the blue jays.
The day my wife presented her to me and I put her in my arms, it was love at first sight. She cuddled up very close and always loved it. That's one of the big advantages of having a small dog. They make good lap dogs and eat up that one-on-one attention.
When one of the big dogs outside barked to notify us of something going on, Lupe always passed the message clearly. Yes, it cost us a little sleep at times but it was a joy to watch her carry out her job. Though little, she would clearly have sacrificed herself for us.
As I prepared her grave and laid her to rest under a big pear tree, I teared up thinking about all of the funny stories that she had brought to our life. Once she thought she could catch a blue heron as he swept low on takeoff with Lupe trying to jump up and grab him. We were fortunate that never happened or our little bundle of energy would have been seen soaring away in the clutches of the big bird. Another time she was sleeping in the horse trailer while we cleaned it. Upon completion and not knowing she was there, she was locked in, unable at her size to get up and over the top of the rear gate. She was lost for nearly twenty-four hours before finally starting to bark. We had searched high and low everywhere, even in the horse trailer but not seeing her asleep in a pile of quilts that she rearranged for her comfort. I still don't know why she was silent for so long, maybe she was just comfortable on the folded pile of horse blankets while catching up on sleep.
But now she's gone and even the other dogs are looking around wondering where she is. Only Molly the rat terrier closely noticed as she stood in rapt attention as I finished little Lupe's grave. And it is fortunate that we have Molly and our other dogs, for they soften the blow when losing this little lady. But it's a blow nonetheless, and I'm not ashamed to say that we both shed those crocodile tears.
I read an article once where Billy Graham gave a wonderful and comforting answer to an age old question of animal lovers. Do we see our precious pets again? Dr. Graham said that if you are a person of faith and have a dog that has bonded with you, they become part of you as you in turn become part of their pack. In such instances, he opined that of course you will see those things that are part of you when you go to glory in God's Kingdom after earthly death. I truly agree with that answer.
So. Lupe Lou's pain and suffering is over and she has passed over the rainbow bridge to a place where there are no fleas, no violence, no fences and only love as she waits for us to come see her again. And oh, what a wonderful time that will be. Don't worry, Miss Lupe, we'll see you when our time here is done.
And now Lupe is added to the group.
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