Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Life with Cush Dogs - Guest Blog Post

Cush Dog Jeffie - 8 weeks old
Today we have a Talking Dogs guest blog post from the dog daddy at our house.

Life with our "cush" dogs...

Sue introduced me to the concept of a Cush dog many years ago.  I don’t remember exactly when, but I do remember the circumstances because we have relived them many times. 

Cush dog is short for cushion dog.  When you have a pet who is becoming aged, the reality of their short life begins to sink in. You realize that one day you will have to go on in life without them and you begin to feel the need for another pet to cushion you against that loss. 

I realize that not everyone’s lifestyle will allow for more than one dog in your life at a time.  However, I would find it unbearable to lose a loving companion and to be utterly without one. I count myself as lucky that I am able to have more than one dog in my life at a time. In fact, up until about 6 months ago we had four.




About 6 years ago, with Lucy and Tucker being close in age and beginning to experience some health problems, we decided it was time for a Cush dog. We began our search and thanks to Petfinder, Jeffie came into our life. His full name is Thomas Jefferson Davis Canine Kottwitz, but Jeffie seems to fit him well.

I could not imagine a better Cush dog. As readers of this blog know, Tucker left us last October and Lucy followed him this February. Even before Lucy was gone, Jeffie began to gravitate more to Sue, and now whether she is in her office, her studio or anywhere else, Jeffie is by her side or close by. Just like Lucy used to be. 

I have no doubt in my mind that he senses her loss and is trying to fill the void. You see, Jeffie has always been the most sensitive dog I can remember.  At the slightest sign of physical or emotional upset from either of us, Jeffie is there. Even if a curse word is uttered he will be at your side and put a paw on your leg to comfort you.

We have also noticed that he is also grieving the loss of his sister and brother. He is much more subdued and spends a lot of time watching us closely. So as any dog lover can imagine, we are blessed to have Jeffie as our Cush dog.

Then there is Rudy. He came to our family about a year and a half ago. He was not a designated Cush dog. Sue just wanted a puppy.  I fell in love with him and Sue wasn't far behind. However, he is also functioning as a Cush dog. With Jeffie spending more time with Sue, Rudy is always available to me at the drop of a hat. Still being a puppy, he lifts our moods with his antics and can usually get Jeffie up and playing.

So you see we are all still grieving here at For Love of a Dog, but our Cush dogs are helping cushion us from our, and their own, loss.

7 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! Thank goodness for Jeffie and Rudy! I do believe a cush dog really helps. When you lose a heart dog it is devastating and a cush dog not only silently comforts you but also lets you know someone still needs you!

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  2. You know, I often think about this concept, but I never knew the name. I like the term "cush dog." I do worry that I need to adopt another dog now, because if Bella ever left, I don't think I'd make it through with no dog in the house at all.

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    1. Pup Fan, If you can manage 2 dogs in your life... and if Bella can... I highly recommend it. There's an intangible something in the comfort of a dog, as opposed to a person, when you are in the throes of grief for another dog. Hard to put into words, but maybe I'll try in a future blog post.

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  3. dogs DO know...they sense when we are hurting. It isn't an accident that Jeffie and rudy are trying to make you feel better.
    ((((hugs)))))

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  4. What the Dog Daddy left out of this post is the deep connection he had to Tucker... and the deep connection he now has to Rudy. It is a real blessing that we now have 2 cush dogs.

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  5. I own a dogs 101 web site and recently received an email from a concerned pet owner who wanted reassurance that getting a new dog to help her cope with the pending loss of her current dog who had cancer would not result in her current dog feeling resentment towards her.

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  6. Aint every one lucky enough to have more than one. Here I am with only love for them cause my mom dont even allow one. Nut for sure one day will have a room full of them...

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