Good Karma
On a few occasions over the past few months Bode has mentioned that he missed our old dog, Karma. She was a great pup over the past 13 years and Bode got to enjoy her final four years with us. Older dogs have a special quality that blends well with kids. They are patient. Grateful. Content.
An older dog is well-matched with a four-year old boy.
He’s seen and petted many dogs (every one of them) recently and Angela’s parents have a dog, Buster, who is graying in all the usual places and will wait patiently for a pet or scratch. So, it eventually came… “Dad, I miss Karma. I wish she didn’t die.”
Ouch.
“I miss her too.”
Observing the process of death being understood by a four year old kid is enlightening. We’ve been pretty straightforward with him about every subject, and death is no different.
It’s part of Life. It’s The End. Kafka said it’s the meaning of Life.
He’s processed it all and seems to have a surprisingly mature and realistic grasp of everything. He’s often more fearless in talking about death and his own mortality than any adult I know.
Not being a “kid guy” until I had my own, I find it astounding.
Within seconds he’s thinking about getting a snack and we are playing Batman and racing Matchbox cars. A day in the life.
We had to put our Kayla (German Shepherd) down last year after 12 yrs. We still miss her very,very much. What a delight she was. We now have inherited my son’s dog (another story!). She is a Italian Mastive (size of of a boxer) she looks terrifying but is very sweet and loving. Maybe you should consider another dog. I mean how much work can a dog and a 4yr old be…………..?
Life goes on!!
Enjoy following your travels on a daily basis.
Steve
i miss that shedder too. very nice post jason. = )
Ok, you just about made me cry at work. I miss Karma, too, and still have her photo in our living room.
Wow we just went thru this last Friday. We lost our 11 year old Yellow Lab Dharma! GRacie the 4 year old is going thru the same thing as your little one also. Pretty amazing. I think 4 is a great age for picking up the heavier side of life. The things that kids teach us is amazing and you guys are actually there to enjoy it while traveling! Have fun and take care,
Erick, Anita, Will, Grace, Ruby
Erick- sorry to hear about Dharma. Great minds think alike when it comes to naming great dogs, eh?
I miss my Karma dog too. Now I don’t have anymore dogs to watch over really. Not any like Karma thats for sure.
Karma looks like my friend’s dog, Tuesday, who passed away a couple years ago. Also a very cool dog & one-of-a-kind. We are each blessed to have such wonderful fur companions in our lives.
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