"Chedda"

July 18, 1988 - July 21, 1997

A Tribute to Chedda 

It is now almost 6 months ago that a tumor was removed from your belly and almost 4 months ago that I had to take that awful decision to put you to sleep, as putting it off was not doing anyone any good.

You made it till your birthday, but the next day you made me realize that life had become a burden to you. You were my first 'own' dog and in no time you became my best buddy.

You accompanied me everywhere, to the hockey field and when visiting friends. They all enjoyed your company and loved to see you coming because you were such a well mannered dog.


I still need to laugh when I think about the times we were at the beach and you needed to go poop. You always let me know you had to go in your very special way and then we went into the dunes and you climbed all the way up, looking for a big bush so no one could see you, and you always sat with your back to the beach. 

Most Labs are gluttons when it comes to eating. Not you! You were always very well mannered and never left a crumb. 

You enjoyed field training a lot. I always thought you'd lose your tail while retrieving the dummy or fowl, as it was always wagging at full speed. You were so very proud!


Obedience trials on the other hand, were not meant for you. As soon as anyone started grumbling against his dog, you would sit down with this look of 'If I don't do anything, I can't do anything wrong, just watch me!' on your beautiful face. 

You still earned your C-diploma's, small ones, but you earned them anyway. You couldn't stand being in a negative atmosphere. You always wanted it to be cozy and peaceful. 

You loved it when there was a fire in the fireplace, made you grunt out of satisfaction. When Jutca joined us 2 years later, I thought she would be bossing you around in the future because you had such 'soft' character. How wrong I was. Jutca always saw you as alpha. There never has been an improper gesture between the 2 of you. Even in the end, when you had trouble walking, Jutca always waited for you to go out first. After you went to the bridge, Jutca was very insecure in and around the house. 


You were never ill in those 9 years and even on the very last day you were shining like a mirror. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thinking of you. So many places hold sweet memories of you and I'm often in tears because 9 is much too young. I still haven't strewn your ashes because I can't think of the one spot you loved most, you loved all places. Thus the urn is still in the living room with your picture and 3 of your most favorite toys. I don't think I'm going to spread your ashes after all, as you always wanted to be close to your family... 

Chedda, to me you were the sweetest and most affectionate dog I could ever have wished for. Only the fact that you are no longer suffering is a bit of a comfort to me. But I will never forget you and I miss you terribly because you were my soul-mate. 

Your mom Gerry and your buddy Jutca

Gerry Meuwese

All text and graphics are copyright � by LabsR4U. Please do not copy any text or graphics without permission.
Text edited and page maintained by Brian. Please let me know if there are any problems with this page.