Red and Rover by Brian Basset for March 29, 2023

I hope Red didn’t learn about dog life spans at school, today.

Ouch! I felt that one. :(

Sad but true.

Sadly the innocence fades. About a year and a half ago, Red told Rover they’d grow old together.

I’m glad this is a comic so Rover will never die. I couldn’t stand to see Red’s heart breaking.

I am sitting in bed reading this surrounded by my dogs and now I am crying.

Yes Red I am and I am heartbroken.

Don’t remind me, Red.

I have lived with, loved and lost 6 dogs over my lifetime. It’s always heartbreaking, and it’s always been worth it. Thay can teach us so much. Thanks, Pogo, Rex, Blackie, Fred, Black Dog and Thud.

NOW AND FOREVER

Aww… Red knows, but does not want to tell Rover of thier own mortality.

Like in “My Dog Skip” or “Puff The Magic Dragon”, little boys grow older and go on with their lives leaving behind those that love them.

I remember a strip from 2019 which was reprinted in 2022. Red asked Rover what he liked best about being a dog. Rover replied, “Being loved by you.” Red asked Rover what he liked least and Rover replied, “The thought of having to wait years in Heaven before you join me there.”

Today’s strip seems to be set before that from Rover’s puzzlement.

Rover brings to mind My Boy (Avatar) when he was around …… many good times ….. he was like Rover, if I left him which was very rare ……. when I got back he’d be all excited and loving licks …… the only difference was then he would go and sit with his back to me and ignoring me for 15 – 20 minutes ……. then it was back to normal ……. Great Memories ….. :)

It IS sad when it does happen but the memories of those good times remain and the hope of meeting them again in an eternal situation in a future existence can keep us going…..

Ouch….

Well, this made me cry. Too sad and too true. I miss my dogs so much and forever.

SNIFFLE!

Do you friends tell you have doggy breath – all over your face?

Red…you’re way too young to be thinking about that. Just keep being a kid who loves his dog, and whose dog loves him!

This strip reminds me of one of my boys that passed away in 2020. When I’m laying down he would come over and start licking my forehead and wouldn’t stop until I hugged him. Yip yip yip yip yip

Dang it, Brian, you’re kicking up the dust in here again.

Don’t make me cry….

Even as life passes us all along, Red and Rover will always stay young, as it should be. One of my favorite strips. Always had dogs and cats as pets for as long as I can remember and still miss every one of them.

That is one of the things that suck when I rescue “senior” pups. I know my time with them is limited. One of my favorite sayings: “It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.” (Anon) Thank you for this comic, Brian. <3

I’ve had pets all my life and I have had to say good bye to more than twenty of them do far, and likely several more before I go. Every one is fondly remembered, and holds a special place in my heart.

“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.”

― Agnes Sligh Turnbull

“Dogs, lives are short, too short, but you know that going in."

― Dean Koontz

There is a major lesson about love in the fact that we know what we let ourselves in for when we live with dogs, and yet we do it over and over. I’m just not sure exactly what the lesson is.