A Tribute To Ganges and Cassie (Kassee)

I have had some pets over the years but truly 2 stand out above the rest. Two dogs Ganges and Cassie (or Kassee).

We got Ganges years ago way before the Internet or blogs. She was a great dog. We thought she was named after the Ganges River in India, it was when we were older that we found out a bunch of frat boys named her after marijuana. She was a a lot of fun, more so because she wasn't the smartest puppy on the block. Many times my Dad and I would play sit-up lay-down and she always played along. Or the times when we would ask her "Who did this?" while pointing at nothing, maybe she had a guilty conscience because she always shied away. But we always gave her treats too. She had a knack for escaping the house and running for the creek or perhaps even the next county. Two memories stand out as my favorites the first was when she came barreling inside the house after my sister just cleaned the glass door. She hit it full speed and then walked in circles sneezing for a while. The other is the time we came home and found a video tape had been chewed up. Well we put Ganges out side and shortly after she had tape coming out both ends. Still one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Well as dogs do Ganges got older and less mobile. She was put to sleep and our family lost a dear friend.

After a while that void was filled by Cassie. Though the rest of my family spells it Kassee. Cassie arrived and was immediately a part of the family. And though I didn't think it was possible, she was dumber that Ganges. The memories I have are special. Like the fact we have a crop circle in the back yard due to her running full speed at the end of her chain. That bare spot in the lawn that she would visit daily. Cassie was also a big sports fan picking her own teams and picking weekly during football season. My mom still talks about the chocolate cupcake she never got to eat because Cassie was quicker. Cassie also liked to escape but most times had no step two once she got out. Usually she could be coaxed back in with a biscuit and a kind word. And though she ate many tissues, napkins and crumpled pieces of paper she was never foolish enough to swallow them. Or when she would get excited she would have to sneeze for some reason. And we couldn't drop her off for boarding without her dropping a load on the floor. My Dad many times over the years said Cassie was on her way out the door but she survived. That is until last night. Cassie was with our family for 10+ years and she was probably 3 when we got her. 13 or 14 is pretty old. She was having problems getting up and down, she had ear issues and some skin thing that the doctors couldn't quite figure out. It was her time. These dogs have been our companions, friends and family. I don't think it is an exaggeration that Friday night was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. The look in her eyes will be with me forever. Rest in peace friend. I will miss the fact that when the door opened rain or shine, hot or cold you were always there.