I got my very first dachshund of my own when I was 19. I kept begging my mom to let me buy a dachshund, I even had my own money saved up, but she repeatedly said no. So what did I do? I decided to just go out and buy one against her wishes of course. I called a woman who had an ad in the paper for dachshund puppies. When I called she said she only had two left and one of them was being saved for her friend, so in reality they only had one left. We drove down this incredibly long dirt road to get to their house (which was dilapidated to say the least). When we got there, there were no puppies in sight, only the ferociously barking mama. The woman said, “There’s over here!” as she opened a small gate and called to the puppies. When I peaked my head around the corner this little guy came running at me and it was all over:
Diego was born in March of 2004, I brought him home in May of that year and he spent the next four years of his life terrorizing everyone and everything around him, in true dachshund fashion. He was definitely the hyper variety of dachshund, there’s no doubt about that. He passed away in February of 2008 during a tragic accident.
It was the night of the super bowl and when my mom came back from my sister’s that night, she drove into the garage, just as she did every other day. Some days she would stop and open the door for Diego to hop in the car while she pulled the rest of the way in and some days she would wait for him to come through the cat door and into the driveway, and she would simply drive slow as he stayed out of the way. Well this particular night, for some reason he didn’t stay out of the way.
I’ll spare you all of the horrific details of that night, but needless to say we were all incredibly saddened by his death. I remember just screaming and bawling, “We have to take him to the vet! We have to go NOW!” as Justin stood with Diego in his arms and all he could do was shake his head at me and say, “Honey, he’s gone, there’s nothing they can do.” I sat on the couch with Diego wrapped in a blanket just bawling my eyes out. I just kept repeating, “I’m his mom! I’m supposed to protect him! I’m his mom!” Justin dug a hole in the backyard for him and we placed him down in it, wrapped up cozy in his blanket. We put his favorite toys and some biscuit treats down in with him and then my mom said, “Come inside honey, you don’t want to watch Justin put the dirt on him.”
My mom and I both sat inside crying and when Justin came inside he said the most amazing words to be that I never thought would mean as much to me as they do. He said, “I put a chair next to Diego so that God can sit and watch over him tonight.” I just lost it and started bawling even more. The fact that he even thought about something like that was so amazing to me and sure enough, the next day when we went outside, there was the chair next to Diego’s resting place.
That night, I was so beside myself it was hard for me to fall asleep. Sadie was my loving protector, I laid in Justin’s arms trying to fall asleep and the next morning Justin told me that once I finally fell asleep Sadie sat on my side of the bed with her head resting next to me just watching me, for hours. He finally told her she could get up on the bed and she snuggled in next to me and wouldn’t leave my side all night.
For a long time my mom blamed herself for Diego’s death and thought I’d be mad at her for it. I’ve always told her that it wasn’t her fault, it was just Diego’s time to go and obviously God needed him up there more than we needed him down here. (Which is what she’s always told me about my dad, who died when I was 3 months old). But I know that there’s still some part of her that blames herself and carries that with her to this day.
Although I would never wish the loss of a beloved pet on anyone, I do believe that God works in mysterious ways and that everything happens for a reason. I’m not a very religious person at all, but I do believe that God had a plan for Diego’s life and I like to think perhaps he’s up there running around with my dad, my grandma, and all of the other beloved pets that have been taken from people’s lives.
For your enjoyment, here are a few photos of my silly Diego:
Baby Diego and his favorite moose
surfing anyone?
Diego & Lola
trying to email Lola without thumbs was just too exhausting
basking in the sun w/ sister
our pool protector
snug as a bug in a rug
always smilin'
In Loving Memory of Diego 3/24/04--2/3/08
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13 comments:
I almost don't know where to start...too much cute!
Diego must have been a phenomenal pooch - lovely way to keep his memory!
Ok you've got me crying now. Almost the same exact thing happened to my Westie, Mac. My mom was backing down the driveway and didn't know he was out. Unfortunately he suffered for quite some time through 2 surgeries trying to repair the damage done to his insides. :( And my poor Mom is the same way and some part of her still blames herself and she still can't bring herself to get a new puppy to this day (over 10 years later). Even though it was just a tragic accident. RIP Diego and Mac-a-doodle.
I am sitting at my desk at work with tears streaming down my face. Maybe this will teach me not to read email when I am supposed to be working! I am so so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine going through what you did. He certainly had a loving Mom and Dad. I hope your Mom finds someway not to blame herself - accidents are just that. I will go home and give my Allie and Emma extra hugs tonight for Diego.
My little Sunshine was only 4 when she got hit by a car in front of our house. I wasnt home, my grandparents were keeping her for me and I had the same mixed feelings, a litte mad, so sad and guilty that I wasnt home..that maybe it wouldnt have happened if I was...I held her for a while and then wrapped her in her fave blanket, laid her in her bed with her fave toys and walked around the back of the house where my grandfather had dug a hole..it was very late and very dark by that time and as I got down on my knees with the bundle in my arms to lay her in the ground, I FELL HEADFIRST INTO THE HOLE!!! IT WAS WAY DEEPER THAT IT SEEMED! I couldnt help it I just began to laugh hysterically, I couldnt get up out of the hole and I didnt want to let go of Sunshine not knowing how she would land and my family could only see my rear end sticking up and thought I was crying not laughing and DIDNT DO ANYTHING! I had to start hollering for someone to pull us out and we all went from tears to laughter. Finally, with the ice broken and realizing that at least Sunshine wasnt in any pain, I was able to lay her to rest. I found a little statue of a dachshund and placed it over her grave to mark the place and visit her often and it still brings tears everytime I think of her, but I wouldnt trade those 4 years with her for anything in the world. She made my days so much brighter from her first wobbly steps until her final moments and her pictures are right up with the ones of my girls I have today, 8 years later. When it comes to doxies...you just never know what to expect..in life and death! Thanks for sharing your story, reminded me of my baby today.
I am so sorry for your loss. You had me in tears at work. My throat has a lump and I don't know what to say, though I am sure that Diego is having a fabulous up there. Take care!
Beautiful your blog. Congratulations.
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Kisses and licks
I am so sorry for your loss... This story brought tears to my eyes- I cant even imagine what you went through.
I'm sure Mister Diego is looking down at you now...
Mary Anne
Diego looks like he was a very sweet little guy. I lost my doxie, Duffy, in the same sort of accident over 20 years ago. My mom was driving and she still does not like to talk about Duffy because she feels so guilty.
Thank you for telling us about Diego's life. Lovely story and photos. I'm still reflecting on the "chair for god" idea. Hmmm...
Twink!
What a beautiful boy! I am heartbroken over your loss. I think you are right, though. There was a reason Diego was in your life, short or not.
I'm going to go read another site now so I can stop crying!
-b
Thank you everyone for all of your lovely comments! It's amazing to know how many people have lost their wieners in a similar fashion, I never would've known! Thanks again everyone, I know all of our doxies are up in heaven running a muck and cuddling up together all day.
my jr doxie gt ran over by a ups truck they didnt know he was out my dad saw it an my 2 yr old nephew 10 years agos . He didnt know what him an my dad put him into a trash bag an burried him where 2 my brothers dogs are buried mom bght him a head stone that said beloved boy he was he was my first dogs son .
Diego looked like one happy little guy. Glad to see he was so well-loved in life and that you have those great memories of him in spite of his heartbreaking end.
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