Remember Kasper: A Long, Healthy, and Happy Life

I find it hard to write this yet enjoy using writing as a form of remembering my little chicken wing, Kasper.

When I was in Elementary school (about 3rd grade), my siblings and I had asked my parents for a dog. Every kid wants a dog right? Little did I know I was about to get far more than a dog. I was gaining a friend. A loyal bichon brother. 

My Pops visited animal control multiple times in search for a smaller dog that didn't shed hair (for allergy purposes). I remember my parents bringing home this little rat looking dog that was covered in knots, smelly, and very dirty. My Aunt Ginny was in town and helped us all clean him up. He was surrendered to the pound as his previous owners were unable to keep him at their apartment. He wasn't at the pound long, but long enough to be filthy. His old name was BJ but we ended up giving him the name Kasper after the friendly ghost. 

At first, I wasn't too fond of Kasper. He was always scratching on the hallway door and trying to break into anyone's room. I just wanted to sleep! And I unfortunately didn't realize until years later that this little bichon just wanted to sleep too in a comfy bed with someone. 

We didn't know when his birthday was exactly so I made up a birthday for him being December 10th. We tried to keep track of his years and estimate he lived to 17. 

Kasper was a rather mellow and laid back bichon. He played with some toys when he was young such as a kong toy that we put peanut butter in. His favorite! Kasper was never very good at fetch. We would throw the toy, he would chase after it, and then run back but never give the toy back to you. He also played some tug o war a bit. As Kasper grew older he became protective of his toys. I believe Kasper sometimes faked playing with his toys just because he didn't want to share them with other dogs. 

When Kasper was younger he used to bark at all the boaters on the lake. He made so many holes in the screen deck and would poke his head through these holes! Perhaps for a better view of boaters on the lake. The rents ended up having a tough screen installed that Kasper was unable to break through. He would jump up on the back of the couch to bark and sometimes would fall over the back or fall asleep on top of the couch. 

Kasper liked to explore the backyard and screen deck. When he was a baby bichon he dug a hole in the yard and all we saw was dirt flying! He would sprint across the backyard so fast that we would be unable to catch him. We would lure him back inside the house with peanut butter! Kasper liked to play games with the lizards on the deck too. He would chase them, sometimes catch them, and throw them around. I think he would get sad when they died but he never ment to kill the lizards. 

Kasper would always finish his meals. He never left a crumb! Sometimes he would even sit while eating and we knew not to disturb him during meal time. He was very protective of his precious food! During his younger years, Kasper would get a special egg breakfast on the weekends. He always barked and waited at your feet in the kitchen for this. 

Kasper really hated water. He did not enjoy the many times we put him in the pool to swim with us. I loved seeing him swim though- he used his tail so well to navigate his way to the steps. He damn well knew how to climb out of our pool. As Kasper grew older he fell into a few different pools and we would have to rescue him as he didn't know how to get out. His eyes would get so big and we just knew he hated every swim. Kasper would even get nervous on the boat dock! He really hated showers too. He would always fight so hard to get out of the shower. Sometimes he succeeded at jumping out of the shower when he was a young bichon. Kasper even fought in the shower the morning he passed away. 

Kasper really loved car rides. When I was in Elementary school my mom would pick me up with Kasper. He would stick his head out the window and enjoy the breeze in his face. Even as an old man he enjoyed sticking his little black nose out the window. 

Kasper loved his belly rubs. He would sometimes sleep on his back and sit next to you. He would growl in order to get you to pet him. He would growl if someone tried to take him away too! 

Kasper hated going to the vet. He loved the car ride there but once we parked and started walking in he knew exactly where he was. He would try to turn back around and exit the vet! Sometimes he would get so scared in the room and would hide under the chairs and shake a lot! Luckily, mom learned how to clean his glands at home so he didn't have to go too often. Mom was a pro at this and for years helped Kasper with this issue many bichons have. I groomed Kasper many times. He was usually a good boy too and let me trim him properly. I gave him a mohawk at one point!

I loved seeing Kasper do the "bichon blitz"! Usually after every shower he would race across the house and jump from couch to couch! On other odd occasions he would do the blitz as well. Even in his older years he would do a shorter blitz around the dining room. 

For years Kasper had a bed that he would sleep in at night time. Kasper would sometimes bark at night and annoy me. Little did we know, Kasper just wanted to be sleeping with someone. As Kasper grew older we purchased some soft beds for the house that he enjoyed sleeping in. He even got to sleep in my parents bed many times! I really did love when Kasper would push open my bedroom door, I would lift him on my bed, and we would nap together. Sometimes he would take up most of the bed! All he really wanted was company and a comfy bed. 

Kasper was such a sweetheart. He rarely made accidents and would always let us know when he wanted to go out. Kasper enjoyed some of his walks. He knew the neighborhood by heart! At one point, he was staying with a neighbor and got lost. Kasper was so smart though. He came to our front door! When Kasper was done walking, he would try to turn you around and take you back home. Sometimes Kasper would be at the end of the street and sprint home when called.  

He was very loyal and laid back. When other dogs visited, he became younger and tried to keep up. Kasper had dark piercing eyes and the top of his nose was always bald. Kasper never liked to be left home alone. He knew when we were leaving and would always try to come. I always hated to leave him and close the door on him. His dark eyes would pierce you with sadness as he just wanted to follow.

Kasper visited me in college and I remember sneaking him into my dorm one time and bringing him to the lake front on campus where he ran across the sand. Kasper didn't travel too far but he did make a few trips to cranes roost, home depot, pets mart, and Georgia. 

All of my friends knew about Kasper as I spoke of him often. I enjoyed taking many pictures of Kasper and with him. 6 months ago I left for Korea and I took so many pictures with him the day before I left. I get sad thinking about the last day I saw him in August and the fact that he wont be there when I return home in August. I wasn't there for his last 6 months. :( 

Since I left for Korea, mom and pop would take pictures of him and send them to me. Mostly of him sleeping since thats what he did most of the time as he grew older. I have a few screenshots of Kasper on Skype even! 

Kasper never had any health issues throughout his life. He was a very healthy dog. After 17 long happy years, Kasper passed away the morning of February 12th. Mom said he ate his dinner, took a nice walk, and slept well the night before he passed. Kaspers sinus had ruptured which caused him to go into shock and my parents took him to the vet. The decision was to put him down as we didn't want Kasper to be in pain as he was very old.

 Kasper was the best dog I could ever ask for. He knows he was very loved just as he loved his family. He truly was a special part of our family. It's odd how we become so close to dogs as they don't speak (except a few barks)- only listen. I wish he lived a human lifetime. While I'm sad he's passed, I remember the happy 17 years we had together. I know he's flying now and chasing the little bichon ladies. He is having endless bowls of kibbles and milkbone treats! I can only hope the afterlife is luxurious for king Kasper. Sleep well little bichon and until the next world <3