Arnoldo

T Is For Tipper

Last Summer we had to put down our 13 year old family dog, Tipper, a highly intelligent brindle female dog with the sweetest disposition. We got her from some friends when she was only about 2 months old. She had the longest legs I’ve ever seen in a puppy, although her elegant long snout wasn’t fully developed yet. She had white tips on her snout, tail and all 4 paws, hence the name Tipper. She was truly a family dog, and although she was quite large, I believe she thought of herself as a lap dog. She loved to lay on the couch and lay her head on whomever’s lap was available.

My girls were young when we got Tipper, so she truly grew up with them. Abby was in the second grade and Ana in fifth. Therefore, Tipper was very attached to them and very protective as well. Tipper used to love to hang with them in their bedrooms when they were still living at home. They even played dress-up with her when they were little. Have you ever seen a full grown greyhound in a dress and pearls? LOL! Tipper didn’t care, as long as she got to be with them.

I believe it was a little hard on Tipper as the girls went off to college, and Ana eventually moved out. She then became my art studio dog, and would lay down by my drafting table as I worked. However, whenever the girls visited, she was stuck to them like glue. She was always so excited when they would walk in the door, that she would start whimpering with excitement, just as humans may shed tears of joy when they see a loved one after being separated for a long period of time.

Tipper was the last surviving dog from her litter, and exceeded the average lifespan of greyhounds, which is 10-12 years. She was an alpha dog, so she was very tough. Therefore, although it was very hard for my family when we lost her, we feel we were able to provide her with a good life. I know the Bible doesn’t talk about dogs going to Heaven, but I choose to believe they do.

May Tipper rest in peace until we meet again.

Blessings!