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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    Another Gotcha! day for Achilles

    I adopted honourary Lab Achilles, aka Chili Dog, from a central Texas shelter. You can read the adoption backstory here.

    Here we are, 12 years on. He's at least 14, possibly 18 (though we doubt that). His fur suit is a little whiter, he has left a few teeth at the doggy dentist, sleeps a little more, is less cold tolerant, needs Deramaxx for gradually advancing spondilosis[sp?]. And yet . . .

    He still wants to eat, wants to go for rides, wants to go out, occasionally plays with Fitzi or a squeeky toy.

    Every dog needs, should have, a job. A perceptive dog owner will figure out what that job is and to help him or her do that job. Chili's job has been to be a calming, restful presence.

    He and I recently went to the States for several days to visit people going through a rough time. Achilles was a therapy dog, helping them decompress and let go of some of their stress.

    A few photos.

    His current favourite toy, a quacking duck Faye bought him.


    Relaxing during our recent trip.


    Sticking his tongue out at life.


    God, fate, karma, what have you, brought him into our lives. It has been an honour and a privilege to be his owners. Our lives have been immeasurably enriched.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

  2. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Mr Kleb For This Useful Post:

    Blackboy98 (05-28-2018), POPTOP (05-30-2018), Scoutpout (05-29-2018)

  3. #2
    Senior Dog katALlabs's Avatar
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    Happy gotcha day Achilles! Looking good for a super senior pup!
    At the Bridge
    Pinks - Black Lab/Mix - Got ya 12/30/10 - 5/12/23
    Maddie - Chessie - 3/6/10 - 6/25/22
    Purps (Pinks sister) - Black Lab/mix -(Back with us 1/1/18) 12/30/10 - 4/7/21
    Gracie - Yellow Lab - 10/23/05 - 9/6/18
    Nozomi (Zoe) - BC/Lab - Got ya 9/5/09 - 3/19/15
    Abbey - Yellow Lab - Got ya - 5/8/09 - 4/22/11
    Cheanna - Black Lab/Mix - Got ya 5/99 - 9/21/10
    Buddy (Bubba) - Black Lab/Mix - Got ya 11/2/02 - 3/28/10
    Amber - Yellow Lab/Dobi - Got ya 8/1989 - 5/15/01

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to katALlabs For This Useful Post:

    Mr Kleb (05-28-2018)

  5. #3
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    Happy gotcha day to a sweet old boy! Another goodest of the good boys!

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    Mr Kleb (05-28-2018)

  7. #4
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    Achilles really could be 18 years old, or even older, check out Bluey he lived 29 years 5 months and 7 days. Cattle dogs live a long time, mine had an injury that cut his life shorter, but he was still 15 years old. Please kiss Achilles for me

    The world, dies, aged 29 | SBS Your Language

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    Mr Kleb (05-28-2018)

  9. #5
    Senior Dog Blackboy98's Avatar
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    Achilles, what a joy you have brought to your family!! You can be a lab all you want, honorary or not.

    A dog's gotcha day is the best day in a dog's life, so here's a super happy GOTCHA DAY for you
    Achilles.

    Hidden Content

    CRACKER-My Heart Dog FOREVER 6/10/2005-7/9/2011

    Mike and Gabe--GOTCHA 7/25/2011

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    Mr Kleb (05-28-2018)

  11. #6
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    KatALabs, thank you! He is in encouragingly good shape physically and spiritually.

    Aww thank you Barry. Among the goodest, indeed!

    Shelly, he could indeed be 18, we don't completely dismiss the possibility. Thanks for the reminder about Bluey. Kiss delivered.

    It was a happy gotcha day Blackboy98. Every day with him is a happy day.
    Last edited by Mr Kleb; 05-28-2018 at 08:54 PM. Reason: correct typo
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

  12. #7
    Senior Dog Black Labbies's Avatar
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    No doubt that your and Faye's caring and love keep Achilles going with relatively good health and happiness.
    Happy gotcha day, "Mr." Achilles!

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    Mr Kleb (05-29-2018)

  14. #8
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    His Bentley is certainly glowing in that middle photo, sending out calming and restorative vibes to all around him, it sounds like. Happy, happy Gotcha Day, Achilles!

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    Mr Kleb (05-29-2018)

  16. #9
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    Black Labbies, thanks for your kind words. I was able to let the people who trusted me enough to help me find and adopt him that he's still here and doing well, and to once again express my deep gratitude for their help.

    smartrock, his Bentley is indeed glowing brightly, casting its gentle light on everyone around him.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

  17. #10
    Senior Dog Scoutpout's Avatar
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    Other than whiter, he still has the same look about him, so endearing. Glad to hear he is continuing to enjoy life
    Hidden Content Hidden Content
    Scout CD RAE6 WC March 6, 2007; Tullemore Browning Superposed PCD RN RI "Trigger" Nov 11, 2016
    Missing:
    Castelleja's Dual Mags "Mags" March 1993 - March 2008
    "Pocco" the chocolate wonder August 1993 - December 2007

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    Mr Kleb (05-30-2018)

 



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