Overboard by Chip Dunham for June 29, 2018

They’re ALL good dogs.

And thanks for sharing yours with us, Chip.

Our beloved dog Sugar died July 6, 2015. She was 16 years old. She was the runt of the litter but the size of her heart was huge. My wife and I dearly miss her. She is forever remembered—impossible to forget. Basil, Sammy, Sugar…

Enjoying Louie to the fullest right now is the best way to honor them. You know that’s what they would want for you – they have wonderful homes until you play with them again, soon enough.

Still miss you, Little Oliver! Thanks for 15 wonderful years!

Truly dogs are God’s great gift to humanity

and, there goes the eye makeup…good dogs (and cats!), all…

Thanks Chip. They’re all waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.

Tears. Coquette and Susette (Ut and Poot to my toddler self), Doxie, Beau, Buffy, Buster, Shadow all waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. Thank goodness for Chloe and Sophie to keep me company in the here and now.

Dogs are pretty special. If you ever tell somebody a Cat said that, I’ll find you…

Zach, Tessa, and Stache – our family of brilliant and loving English Springer Spaniels. Miss them dearly, but Sophie (the canine termite) and Bella keep me busy.

Sandy(15),Brandi(14).We also had a cat,Mac,who was 21 when we put him down.Good memories.Bless all that lost pets :)

Thanks for that, Daisy is still missd, every day:) :) such a beautiful dog X

dogs, years and years of good times and one really bad day.

The butterflies pay homage, too.

Check this out God and Dog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY

You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.

And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.

No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.

“…dog up and died, up and died. After twenty years he still grieves…” from Mr. Bojangles. Trieve, wonderful Skye, Torran, Ty, Range, Gray the Well-Loved…how we miss them all!

So many over the years. 5 homes, each with secret spots in the yard. The current owners never know, but that’s ok. They are in deep quiet corners, never to be disturbed. I know. I remember.

We know the days with our little old Maggie are numbered. We cherish each and every moment.

I have pictures of Spot, Buckwheat, Spuds, Morgan, Misty, Casper and Puddin’ Pop on my desk and I think of each one every day. Thank you for the reflection, Chip.

I think of my two dogs and rabbit almost daily. Truer friends I have never known.

So many emotions are ignited within this strip from day to day. I remember how upset I was when Louie was knocked by a sword during a battle. I’m a little embarrassed that I thought about it a little too often until the next strip. I haven’t missed a strip in at least 7 years. Thank you, Chip.

I can’t say better than Kipling:

The Power of the Dog THERE is sorrow enough in the natural wayFrom men and women to fill our day;And when we are certain of sorrow in store,Why do we always arrange for more?Brothers and Sisters, I bid you bewareOf giving your heart to a dog to tear.

 Buy a pup and your money will buyLove unflinching that cannot lie—Perfect passion and worship fedBy a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.Nevertheless it is hardly fairTo risk your heart for a dog to tear.

 When the fourteen years which Nature permitsAre closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,And the vet’s unspoken prescription runsTo lethal chambers or loaded guns,Then you will find—it’s your own affair—But … you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.

 When the body that lived at your single will,With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).When the spirit that answered your every moodIs gone—wherever it goes—for good,You will discover how much you care,And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

 We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,When it comes to burying Christian clay.Our loves are not given, but only lent,At compound interest of cent per cent.Though it is not always the case, I believe,That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve:For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,A short-time loan is as bad as a long—So why in—Heaven (before we are there)Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936).  Verse: 1885–1918.  1922. 

The love is worth the pain.

Lona my first German Shepherd, buried in the yard where my EX and I lived. Glenda a black Toy Poodle, buried in the back yard where my Late wife and I lived. Both gone and never forgotten!

Tina, Boots and Gretchen my babies!

I wanted to like everyone’s comments but there were so many! I feel your pain, your memories, and the love we have for these BESTEST friends of ours! I have had dogs and cats both, all loyal and loving, and when we had both they were the BEST of friends to each other!

And CHIP, I have been reading your strip for so long, I remember your bestest friends! :-)

Good evening Crew!

<<<My German Shepherd Bear, who only lived 6 1/2 years – he had more love to give in those years than anyone I knew. And JJ, my first dog – who ushered me into the joys of a canine companion, the smartest dog I ever knew and the sassiest.

I love the 2 seniors I have now – both awesome and very diverse – Buck the mellow Lab and wonderful friend who is there to lend and ear and compassionate eyes, and Wolfey the nuttiest Shiba Inu on 4 paw drive that doesn’t know what “no you can’t eat that” means.

A very nice tribute from Chip, and stories from the commentators. Thanks, all.

Happy Friday, Crew.