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Today we lost one of our most precious family members: Spike, our huge Rottweiler/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix.
A powerful, protective and very intelligent dog he stood guard over us for almost 15 years. If anyone
were stupid enough to do anything untowards Spike would tear them a new one. This was no idle threat; he
has defended us on several occasions. Often just him coming around the corner with his teeth bared, ridge
hairs standing straight up and head down was enough to scatter miscreants. A very impressive sight.
Tough as he could be he was also extremely tolerant and protective of our kids and grandkids. Love them he
did, and he'd take every opportunity to guard them from infancy to adulthood. Sometimes he wouldn't let our
daughter take her own kids home, blocking the door at every turn. He took on this role for every kid and grandkid
since we got him from the pound as a pup. When Erik was an infant there was Spike, standing guard under his crib.
He wasn't just my dog. He was one of my best friends. He woke me every morning with a big lick that covered
most of my face. He always stood guard over me when my bad leg was keeping me up all night. He did the same
duty when other family members were sick, often going to get help if one got sick during the night.
He was also the big doofey mutt who would damned near kill me by jumping onto my entire body when he wanted
to play. Never got the idea he wasn't a lap puppy any more
Over the last few months Spike started to deteriorate; wasting of his hind quarters due to arthritis,
loss of sight in one eye and gastrointestinal problems. Finally, it's my belief that he had a stroke last
night. We had him put down today.
Consider the pictures below my tribute to the best dog, and friend, a man could ever want.
Spike in his prime - 110 lbs of pure hell on wheels when the chips were down.
Erik's best buddy. There every morning no matter what until he started going
downhill. A certain little boy is broken-hearted.
Guarding our grandson, Kaden. A huge, playful, but tenaciously protective, babysitter.
"Awww....can't I have him for a while? P-P-P-plleeezzzzeeee?"
His natural state when not "on duty."
And of course he took part in Halloween.
A powerful, protective and very intelligent dog he stood guard over us for almost 15 years. If anyone
were stupid enough to do anything untowards Spike would tear them a new one. This was no idle threat; he
has defended us on several occasions. Often just him coming around the corner with his teeth bared, ridge
hairs standing straight up and head down was enough to scatter miscreants. A very impressive sight.
Tough as he could be he was also extremely tolerant and protective of our kids and grandkids. Love them he
did, and he'd take every opportunity to guard them from infancy to adulthood. Sometimes he wouldn't let our
daughter take her own kids home, blocking the door at every turn. He took on this role for every kid and grandkid
since we got him from the pound as a pup. When Erik was an infant there was Spike, standing guard under his crib.
He wasn't just my dog. He was one of my best friends. He woke me every morning with a big lick that covered
most of my face. He always stood guard over me when my bad leg was keeping me up all night. He did the same
duty when other family members were sick, often going to get help if one got sick during the night.
He was also the big doofey mutt who would damned near kill me by jumping onto my entire body when he wanted
to play. Never got the idea he wasn't a lap puppy any more
Over the last few months Spike started to deteriorate; wasting of his hind quarters due to arthritis,
loss of sight in one eye and gastrointestinal problems. Finally, it's my belief that he had a stroke last
night. We had him put down today.
Consider the pictures below my tribute to the best dog, and friend, a man could ever want.
Spike in his prime - 110 lbs of pure hell on wheels when the chips were down.
Erik's best buddy. There every morning no matter what until he started going
downhill. A certain little boy is broken-hearted.
Guarding our grandson, Kaden. A huge, playful, but tenaciously protective, babysitter.
"Awww....can't I have him for a while? P-P-P-plleeezzzzeeee?"
His natural state when not "on duty."
And of course he took part in Halloween.
Fractal Design Arc Mini R2, 3800X, Asus B450M-PRO mATX, 2x8GB B-die@3800C16, AMD Vega64, Seasonic 850W Gold, Black Ice Nemesis/Laing DDC/EKWB 240 Loop (VRM>CPU>GPU), Noctua Fans.
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