After 16 years together, I said good-bye to my faithful protector Bubba. An Old English Bulldog crossed with a Yellow Lab. He was wide like a Bulldog and tall like a Lab. I saw an ad in the paper in 1992. I went to this place. To my disgust when I arrived, it was a typical back yard breeder. Profiting from the suffering of innocent animals.
In their yard was 6 doghouses, chained to all 6 doghouses were momma dogs. About 4 of these momma’s had puppies, and the others were expecting. Feces, urine and mud surrounded these moms and pups. I think this is when I really started my journey into animal rescue.
I have always loved and respected all animals. When we lived in Thailand in the 1970’s, there were many homeless dogs. As a child I fed them and always wished for my own. We would see dead dogs floating in the clongs (rivers) and I would cry and have nightmares. Maybe my path had already been chosen.
I took Bubba home from this BYB, I could not leave him. I only wish I had enough money to take all of them all out of this nightmare they were living. At 8 weeks old he was infested with fleas, and I had never seen a puppy so full of worms in my life – and to this day with all the rescue I do, I still haven’t seen a worse case of infestation yet.
I called the Vancouver Humane Society and reported these people. They were investigated. I understand some of the animals were confiscated. But Bubba was now in my family.
He is the reason I became a certified dog trainer. At 8 weeks old he would attack anything that moved, including myself. He chewed through the walls of our home, and was very destructive. His training began immediately. I hired a trainer and through her I found my other path in life.
Bubba was one of the most difficult, dominant, aggressive dogs I have ever met. I would walk him at 2 in the morning to avoid incident with people and other dogs. His entire life was consistent and disciplined. Or should I say for his entire life I had to be consistent and disciplined LOL.
We have spent a wonderful 16 years together, with no accidents or incidents. He has lived with many other dogs – small dogs….that’s what he liked the most. Little dogs were his friends, and so were cats.
He had a massive seizure on March the 1st. He was paralyzed on his entire left side. He could no longer move, or get up. He was disoriented, and was now completely incontinent. I had to make the decision that I held off making for about 4 years.
This is how long it has been since he slowly started deteriorating from a 130lb strong, big, muscle dog – to an 90 lb old man who needed constant help from his human companions.
Thank you to the vet that came to my home to send Bubba to doggie heaven. And a giant thank-you to “Until We Meet Again” Pet Cremation Services of North Vancouver for being there for us at such short notice – and being so wonderful to deal with on this sad day.
Rest In Peace my Big Bad Bubba Boy. I love you, and will never forget you.
Bubba enjoying our yard 2000
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