Sad news from commentor Tony S:
Snarls Barkley is gone. We had four lovely, fascinating, soothing, mysterious years with him, but his kidneys stopped working, and it was time to let go. I open this with a request: if you love dogs, and are looking to rescue one, please, give a senior or even an elder pup a home.
We’ve had 15 dogs in the 15 years we’ve lived in Peekskill. The shortest time we spent with one, Ariel, was a week and a half. The longest, Twinkles, was about 12 years. We had just four years with Snarls Barkley. But they were intense and rewarding ones, and his death leaves a sad gap in our lives.
Every rescue dog is a mystery. They cannot tell us what happened to them, but there are often hints, some of them quite awful. The papers that came with Snarls Barkley said he was found tied to the steps of a police precinct in the South Bronx on one of the coldest days of the year, with a freshly broken tail, a huge tumor on his leg, emaciated and filthy.
The tail healed, though it was 90% out of true; so when Snarls wagged his tail, it went up and down instead of sideways. He had a cough, especially when he was under stressed. Our vet said it was from tracheal separation, which happens when a dog is kept on a chain year after year after year after year.
When we first asked him to get on the bed, he ran from the room in terror, and curled up on some leaves in the back yard, almost shaking in fear. He became a canine sundial, moving with the light as the day progressed. When he allowed himself to join us, he took a space at the head of the bed, between the pillows. He turned small situations into treasured gifts. Nine years old when we got him, Snarls developed a small leakage problem, so made sure he slept on top of a towel. That towel quickly became his pride and privilege. The other dogs didn’t have one, so Snarls knew he was special.
We’ve had some very demonstrative dogs. In fact, Snarls was the only canine we had that I trusted to take on a visit to one of my marketing and PR clients. He was a huge hit, silently following everyone around, silently rejoicing that so many hands were available to pet him.
Snarls was more than quiet. He had the war veteran’s 1,000 yard stare, a sense of disbelief that he was warm, and comfortable, and petted, and cosseted. My wife, Celine, called it the “wha happened” look. We petted Snarls out of simple greed and selfishness. His fur was the silkiest and smoothest we’d ever encountered. Touching it was a wonderfully relaxing and rewarding experience, except for his rib cage, which felt odd and bumpy. When we had him X-rayed as he got sick, we found his ribs were concave. Someone did very bad things to this animal.
Snarls may have left the Bronx, but it never left him. If one of our dogs tried to poach from his food bowl, Snarls’ response was quick and toothy. Once, our small terrier mix, Jessicur Lynch, was harassing Snarls just for the fun of it, as terriers sometimes do. Snarls took her head in his mouth and shook Jessica three times. She came back for more. Snarls repeated his action. Jessica realized she’d been bested, and retreated, a rare action for her.
A solitary dog, Snarls was a stealth snuggler. We would go to sleep with him alone in his spot, and wake up in the middle of the night with a silky presence curled up against us. Sometimes he would even forget himself and allow himself to curl up in a pile with our other dogs, or sigh softly as he rested his head on Celine’s bare shoulder. Snarls also loved using his tail as a pillow. It was actually quite beautiful seeing him curled up on top of it.
As his illness progressed, Celine began giving Snarls deep massage. He adored not just the touch, but the fact that he was, once again, being singled out for special attention.
Snarls’ departure was very much in harmony with his life; at once gentle, with a quiet pleading that someone take care of him and help him escape the awful disease that was devouring his life, and ferocious, in his relentless desire to keep on living, and trust that we who had rescued him could make things better again.
He wanted love, and he wanted to feel better. It’s very painful that the only way my wife and I could release him from his terrible discomfort was to end his life. One of the last things he did before we gave him the goodbye medication was to walk over to the chair where I was sitting and softly put his head under my hand. I could not make him better. I could only say goodbye, wishing we could have had a few more years of his solid, stolid, grounding presence.
Then again, with the terrible bigotry against adopting elder dogs, I guess Snarls did luck out. So many his peers wind up murdered, simply because people aren’t willing to take on what they think might be a challenge, but which is actually a gift. So please, when you go to a shelter, look the oldest, most weary in the eye, and take them home. It may not be for a long time, but it will be a rich one.
Cckids
Oh, my. What a lovely tribute to Snarls & to you & your wife. Facing my little old man’s twilight years, shedding sympathetic tears for you.
Blessings to you for being such a mensch to the world.
MazeDancer
You are a beautiful writer. This is a stunning tribute.
Also, I’m crying. Mostly happy that such wonderful people did such remarkably gorgeous things for this dog.
Thank you for taking such splendid care of your good boy.
Karen in GA
R.I.P., Snarls. Now I have to go — I…um… something in my eye.
Anniecat45
Aw geez. Make me cry at the office why don’t you??
I hate that you had to say farewell to Snarls. I wish you could have had more time together.
JPL
What a beautiful thing you did by bringing him home. RIP Snarls. Now I need to find a hanky or two.
Howard Beale IV
I had to put down a 6 month old tortie kitten I named Voodoo.
That fucking hurt.
HRA
So sorry for your loss of a lovely pet. You have told the story as if I were there in person. That is a wonderful gift in itself.
Villago Delenda Est
Snarls is running freely across the clouds now, so there is that.
Thank you for a wonderful tribute to a wonderful canine companion.
greenergood
Thank you for your beautiful description of Snarls. I’m a cat person myself, but go for the older rescue cat and not the kitten. Kittens are gorgeous, but older cats have just such a back story; even though I’ll never know it, it makes me glad that I know that whatever I’m doing now with them, it’s good. He might have had a good life before, but I don’t know that, so I’m just his guarantee that now his life is ok. And you DEFINITELY did that with Snarls!
Mj_Oregon
The only comfort we have at such a time is that our beloved friend is no longer in pain. Thank you for rescuing the old and unwanted as there are far too many animals that do not find such caring and loving homes.
Trixie Belden
That was a beautiful tribute. I’m sorry you’re time with Snarls wasn’t longer, but I can see how much you loved him and he must have felt it, and I am certain it gave him great joy to be so loved.
Jebediah, RBG
It’s wonderful that this great dog got a couple of years of love and pampering.
A friend of ours, Lori Fusaro, (a great dog photographer) has been promoting the adoption of senior dogs for a while now. I hope it catches on.
Seanly
Sorry to hear about the loss. Very good words about adopting elderly dogs.
My wife and I had to put down our rescue girl Ginnie in April 2010 and then her son Duncan in November 2013. I still miss them both very deeply. Those crazy mutts saved our marriage.
We had adopted an older dog, Chula, in September 2012 to be a companion animal for Duncan. Once my wife gets out of the rehab hospital, we’ll probably adopt an older dog to be a companion for her. I want to go middle aged rather than elderly.
PurpleGirl
Tony S
You and Celine did a very fine thing taking Snarls into your home and hearts. You gave Snarls a few years of a very good life.
You are correct that people should consider elderly dogs, and cats too. Kittens are rambuctious and fun to watch but older cats can be extraordinary snuggle love bugs.
ETA: Where in Peekskill do you live? I had friends (with a menagerie) who lived on North James Street, just before Crestview (not sure of name now).
Elizabelle
Tony S: we started the day with spanking new Ulysses, and Mr. Barkley (RIP) shows up at cocktail hour?
Like your message about rescuing older pets. They are so sweet. The beagle/hound thing is extra special.
My condolences on Snarls, although you did the best you could for him. And that was a lovely tribute.
How many dogs do you have?
sharl
What everyone else has said…
Farewell Snarls.
jackmac
A beautiful tribute to Snarls. Condolences on your loss.
TaMara (BHF)
I remember when you first wrote about him. So sorry for your loss, but what a wonderful gift you gave him then and now. [[hugs]]
I went to the shelter (pre-Bixby) to adopt an 11 year old black terrier mix, thinking she’d be perfect for me and probably not likely to get adopted. I was 4th on the waiting list! Warmed my heart. Older dogs still got lots of love to give. Just look at new blog mascot Ginger.
Iowa Old Lady
What a wonderful description of a relationship that made life richer for everyone involved. Bless you.
Woodrowfan
I am so sorry, but happy that you gave Snarls a happy life and love. I am going to go hug my old rescue dog now….
Kay (not the front-pager)
What a beautiful eulogy to a special dog. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Botsplainer
Pretty much a shitty year all around. This weekend is probably the coda to a 25 year marriage.
Mine.
It’s been in the works for a while now – lots of failure and blame to lay, plenty of my own.
I went apartment hunting today. Try finding a place with a 50 pound pet limit making a waiver for a 54 pound dog.
Pogonip
@Botsplainer: Can you just say, “Yes, he weighs 50 pounds”? Or 49, to be on the safe side.
shelley
I’m so sorry, Annie. What a wonderful thing you did to give him such a loving home.
On the flip side; my blood boils reading what they believe was done to him before he was rescued. I truly, truly hope that there is a particular circle in Hell for people who abuse animals.
Litlebritdifrnt
that made me cry, it was a beautiful tribute to Snarls. My mother being an elderly person routinely adopts elderly dogs that perhaps have no more than one or two years left in them. She knows that her time on this earth is finite and she know when she adopts a dog she has to understand that the dogs life on this earth is finite too.
Pogonip
Good dog, Snarls! Good dog!
Major Major Major Major
Beautiful story. So sorry it had to end.
Steeplejack (phone)
@Tony S:
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful animal.
Pogonip
Here is my general question. I like this site because it has many different topics and you don’t have the long wait for comments to be approved. Also, there’s a wide variety of readers so you learn a lot. My question is, are there any similar sites?
Emma
You gave him happiness in his final years and let him go when it was time, and that really, really matters.
JPL
@Botsplainer: I’m sorry, but I know the last several months have been difficult for you. I do agree with the other comments that the dog only weighs 48 lbs.
Iowa Old Lady
@Botsplainer: Ah. This is follow on to the silent treatment while off diving, right? More than that obviously too.
I’m sorry. Even when the breakup is for the best, it’s painful.
Violet
Beautiful tribute to your wonderful dog. RIP, Snarls Barkley.
JPL
@Pogonip: What we aren’t enough for you?
SiubhanDuinne
Wow. What a lovely tribute. We should all have such a nice elegy when our own time comes.
Mine eyes, they leak.
Pogonip
@JPL: 47 1/2.
Jebediah, RBG
@shelley:
There must be, or what’s a Hell for?
Pogonip
@JPL: I want more! More!
JPL
Even though I mentioned this before, I had a dog with leakage problems. A relative was visiting from out of town and sat on the sofa. It was a tad moist and he mentioned it. My response was, oh, it’s just Pudge, don’t worry about it. The expression on his face was priceless, and of course, I immediately realized that maybe I shared to much.
Pogonip
@Jebediah, RBG: I used to admire the restraint of the officers on Animal Precinct when they encountered a dog with a collar embedded in its neck or a starved animal. Me, I’d have been dispensing street justice right and left, especially when some jackass said, ” Well, I never thought about feeding the dog.”
Karen in GA
@Botsplainer: Very, very sorry to hear about your marriage.
At least you have your 47-pound pup by your side.
skerry
Tony, I’m so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute. It’s clear his last years were full of love. RIP, Snarls.
Pogonip
@Karen in GA: 46 3/4.
(That dog will weigh 5 pounds by the time we finish.)
When’s the next pupdate? Are they walking yet? That will be fun. “Hey, look, a cat! I’m gonna chase him! [faceplant]”
MomSense
What a beautiful tribute to Snarls and to the heart’s home he found with you and Celine.
I’ve been thinking that after some time passes I’ll introduce an older cat into our family and continue to do my trapping and neutering/spaying of the feral cats. There is a little group of us now and we really want to see if we can stop the cycle of more and more street cats. It’s a tough life for them.
debit
Tony S: I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he was a lovely dog who deserved every moment of happiness you gave him.
@Botsplainer: And I am so sorry for the end of your marriage. It’s a hard, wretched thing to go through.
@thread: It’s been a crappy month for pets, it seems like. The day before New Years I had to have my eldest cat put to sleep. He’d been slowly declining and I had an appointment scheduled for that weekend. Then that morning I saw him get up and sort of stagger, then he looked at me and let out the most mournful meow I’d ever heard. I called a vet that offered in home euthanasia and let him go that evening while he lay on my lap. And while it was sad and I cried (and still do sometimes) it was the kindest and gentlest way to do right by him. He would get so carsick that he’d vomit twice in a ten minute ride. I didn’t want his last hour on earth to be sick and frightened. If possible, I’ll be able to do that for all my pets when the time comes.
MomSense
@Botsplainer:
Really sorry to hear your news. Is there any possibility of counseling and reconciliation?
I’m glad you have your 47.75 lb dog to see you through this.
Jebediah, RBG
@Pogonip:
One of many jobs I think I would be really ill-suited for, and that would be one of the reasons. “No, boss, I don’t know why the cameras were turned off for fifteen minutes…” There is just something so extra-despicable in abuse of animals and children, I guess because of the violation of trust and dependency that isn’t always there when adults are being shitty to other adults.
WereBear
That was so beautiful. It made me cry.
Per The Far Side, trucks made of pressed ham drive slowly around doggie heaven.
For Snarls Barkley, may they park.
jl
Condolences for the loss of Sr Snarls. Moving tribute to a genuine dawg.
kc
What a lovely tribute. You and your wife were so good to take him in and give him the love he deserved.
Violet
@TaMara (BHF):
She’s such a cutie. Even if she goes on to another home I hope she becomes blog mascot emeritus.
Tommy
I am so sorry, so sorry. That last graph of your is so hard to read:
I fear I would be that guy. Looking for the cute puppy. Walking right past the older dog that needs a home. I have been thinking of getting a dog for ages. When I do I will remember what you just wrote/said.
rikyrah
Sorry about your pet. Snarls was beautiful.
Jane2
RIP Snarls. Your human’s wonderful tribute shows you were one hell of a dog.
Violet
@Botsplainer: Very sorry to hear. I thought you’d recently had a great anniversary celebration and things were going in the right direction? Perhaps counseling would help.
In any case, I’m sure there’s an apartment that will accept you and your 46.65 pound (at last weigh-in) dog. Depending on the breed, if you give the dog a summer cut, it might look five pounds lighter.
Jane2
@Botsplainer: I’d say he’s 45 lbs and fluffy.
CaseyL
That was a lovely tribute to a lovely dog. I love the part where Snarls knew he was special because only he got to sleep on a towel.
You did extra good, giving him so much love and joy. Condolences on your loss.
Seth
The sweetness just oozes out of those pics. RIP Snarls.
SWMBO
A sweet soul with a life well lived.
Our daughter and SIL adopted a 10 year old with a few geriatric problems. Chuckie lasted over 8 years with them and all our hearts were broken when he passed. They have rescued at least one other senior dog. They are the happiest, sweetest souls you could ever hope to meet.
My husband and I have rescued 11 dachshunds over the years. We have had a range from a year or so to 12 years old. Each one has had such distinct, loving personalities that I still miss the original gang something fierce.
Pogonip
@Jane2: In a confident voice, say, “At his last weigh-in, the vet said he weighed 42 pounds even. He’s lost a little since then.”. (Don’t mention that he lost it all this evening.)
JPL
@Jane2: The dog is big boned also. Now I miss Tunch.
Tommy
Reading what you wrote for like the fifth time I want to know who does this:
I might be about the most non-violent person you can find, but I’d like that person locked in a room with me for a period of time. We might have a conversation that would turn a little violent depending on what they said.
Felonius Monk
@Tony S: Truly sorry for your loss. From what you wrote it sounds as if the past 4 years may have been the best 4 years of Snarls Barkley’s life. The gift of love never goes out of style. So although the lights may be a little dimmer in Peekskill tonight, they are burning brightly over on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge ’cause Snarls is in the house.
SiubhanDuinne
@Botsplainer:
Oh, I am sorry. It’s true, one has to grieve the end of a relationship just as deeply as the death of a loved one. I’m sad you’re having to go through that.
As for your Min-Toy Teacup Baby Puppy Chihuahua, just lie about his weight. No one will notice.
Violet
@SiubhanDuinne: Yeah, the dog’s weight is mostly a formality. So long as it isn’t a horse that’s moving in, they don’t care. They won’t be inspecting the dog.
SiubhanDuinne
@Tommy:
I’m pretty non-violent myself, but I get all stabby and kicky and hitty when I think about the kind of verminous creatures who would do that to a dog.
SiubhanDuinne
@CaseyL:
That was where my eyes started leaking uncontrollably.
Pogonip
@Tommy: “Let me show you what Iearned in MA class, asshole !”
Tommy
I said this a couple times. I was at a Super Bowl party 8 years ago. I walked outside and saw these kids throwing these two kittens into a swimming pool. Laughing at them struggling to live. I freaked out. Ran over and grabbed those kittens. I didn’t plan on it, but they came home with me. It took countless hours for them to get used to me. They didn’t like humans so much. Scared of us. One got really sick and no longer with us. The other, Mather, is about my best friend.
She is never more than a few feet from me. People come to my house and think she is the coolest thing around. Heck when my parents visit mom seems to be more interested in my cat then her son :).
Pogonip
@SiubhanDuinne: You know, taking a good hard second look, I swear that dog doesn’t look like he weighs an ounce over 35 pounds. What do you think?
I hope we made Botsplainer feel better. Since he reads this site, I wonder if he likes to cook? I’ve spent decades seeking a man who likes to cook. I’d rather clean. A clean house will stay clean for a day or two, if you don’t have small children, but you can cook a Thanksgiving-size meal and 6 hours later, they’re hungry again. With cooking, you can’t win.
Tommy
@Pogonip: Yeah. Again I am a non-violent person. But wrestled from third grade through high school. If I can take that first punch and grab you, things are going downhill for you. The phrase “tapping out” isn’t new to me.
dexwood
So sad. Such a beautiful tribute to a handsome dog. We do what we can for our beloved pets, but, in the end, we do what we must. RIP, Snarls.
We rescued a middle-aged dog a few years ago. A gunshot victim. Most expensive dog we’ve ever owned. Worth every dollar. Loyal, loving, trusting. I often thought how much the guy who shot him deserves the Louisville Slugger treatment. Had to let that go. Dexter is still with us and he’s been a great teacher.
Our son investigates animal abuse cases. Don’t know how he does it, but it’s a job he loves for good reasons. I admire him.
I'mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet
@debit: Well said, all around. Thanks.
Take care of yourself, too.
Cheers,
Scott.
Ruckus
“It may not be for a long time, but it will be a rich one.”
Have to agree. From experience. One of the best things I’ve ever done. And a very hard thing to do, to have to let go.
Sorry about your pup, always thought that was a great name.
Pogonip
@Tommy: You are a true gentleman. I’d have booted the little bastards into the pool.
The kids, I mean.
I'mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet
@Pogonip: This is sorta out of left field, but you might like DeLong’s blog. He’s a voracious reader and posts about lots of stuff (though the emphasis is on economics and history). The posting community is very small, though.
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/
Crooked Timber might be worth looking at, too. Lots of good writing with lots of good comments. (I’ve never posted there myself.)
http://crookedtimber.org
HTH.
Cheers,
Scott.
SiubhanDuinne
@Pogonip:
Uh … Tommy didn’t say he didn’t boot the kids into the pool.
SiubhanDuinne
@Pogonip:
Two stone, max.
Just One More Canuck
An ex girlfriend (who’s still a friend) rescued a dog while she was on an overseas assignment. Not only did she protect the dog from the other animals and people she was being abused by, when the assignment was over, she brought her back to Canada and gave her a wonderful life here. I’ve never seen such a bond between a dog and a person – I could tell when my girlfriend was due home because Vavi (the dog) would start freaking out with excitement
Cliff in NH
@Pogonip:
ditto with extras.
I’ve been crying so hard molly won’t stop licking the tears off my face
RIP to a lovely doggie
Tommy
@SiubhanDuinne: I wanted to grab them, shove them, hit them, didn’t seem that would be helpful. There was some pushing on my end but that was it. I’ve thought of that moment a lot. I can only assume they are the people that now beat their wives. Do gosh knows what to animals. The government should be watching them.
kdaug
@Seanly:
Roger that.
I get to go attend a funeral Tuesday. Last of the generation on that side. Fucker held on till 97, blind/nursing home for 12 years.
Man, I do not want to die with someone else wiping my ass.
Tommy
@kdaug: My grandfather lived to 94. He was told he needed a walker. This or that. I recall going to see him and he throw that walker out into the front yard. Said he wasn’t going out this way. He wasn’t a cripple and he’d live the way he wanted. He didn’t need to be micromanaged.
My parents and I just did some wills and said about the same in them.
Pogonip
@kdaug: You’ll never get to Davos with that attitude. Jeff probably has one wiper for each cheek.
sw
God bless you.
Francis
Tony: That was just a wonderful eulogy. Thanks for sharing his life, and death, with us.
I’m now going to go home and give my dogs (yes, rescued as puppies) a big hug and treats.
raven
My ex and I had a big, wonderful dog that I called Rex. When we split up she kept him because it made sense at the time. About 2 years later, after my current wife and I had moved in together, Rex badly fractured his leg. He had big pins through the leg that required daily care and at that time my ex just couldn’t hack it. We had just gotten Raven but we decided to take Rex and nurse him back to health. We had him for about 6 months and, after he got all better, we gave him back. A few years later my ex and her hubby moved to a place up in Michigan and it was not possible for them to take the big galoot. He was quite old and failing but we took him again. He was such a sweet dog and enjoyed those few months with him but, as we knew he would, he reached the end of the road. We had him twice just long enough fall in love with him and then let him go. Wouldn’t change any of it.
raven
And with Snarls in mind
Summer
I posted this on Facebook. It’s getting shared all over the place. With stories.
Thank you, Tony S, for this beautiful tribute. What especially got to me was when you wrote about how Snarls trusted you to make it better and the only way you could was to let him go. I’ve been there.
We come here for the politics and we stay for the pets. I do believe it’s our hearts united in that way that makes Balloon Juice a community.
cathie
Beautiful tribute. Thanks for giving Snarls so many good years.
Drunken hausfrau
So sorry but still one of the best dog names of all time.
What a great dog!
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@Tony S. RIP Snarls Barkely. What a loving tribute to a wonderful dog, who had a loving last few years with you and your wife. I’m very sorry for your loss – it’s so hard, every time. They leave such big paw prints on our hearts.
@Emma: That’s exactly it – he had a home filled with love his last few years with people who let him go when it was time. It’s as good as it gets.
@Botsplainer: I’m sorry to hear your news. My recollection is that you thought the storm had been weathered. Can you say “45 pounds” in an authoritative court voice and leave them to decide if they’d like a weight certificate? Are there any small houses for rent in your area that might be easier about it? Is it by Lville?
seefleur
I have a theory that a certain type of political mindset tends to regard their pets as “possessions” – to do with as they (the bipedal-naked monkeys) please. The mindset of the people that I choose to hang out with consider our pets to be our quadruped kids, Possession vs. members of the family… that’s why I like the people here at BJ.
RIP Snarls – I’m so glad you found a lovely forever home with Tony S. And to Tony S – good on you for what you gave Snarls Barkley – love lasts.
Scamp Dog
@Pogonip, @I’mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet: Agreed! DeLong’s site is great. He posts researchy economic discussions, homework sets from the classes he’s teaching, comments on how politicians handle economic questions, along with some history posts (WWII, the American Revolution, some Ancient Greek topics, such as The Next-to-Last Scene of the Iliad: Or, is there any relationship that humans do not think ought to be turned into a reciprocal gift-exchange relationship? “Natural propensity to truck, barter, and exchange” indeed!
Plus he has semi-regular posts of “DeLong Smackdowns”, referring to other people’s posts about stuff he’s gotten wrong. Not many people actually seek out discussions of where they’ve gone wrong; Brad does and takes them seriously, frequently acknowledging where he’s gotten something wrong. Since he does this, he can be fairly harsh on people who don’t own up to mistakes.
Based on that, you know he’s not a Republican.
Prescott Cactus
Tony,
Your wonderful eulogy and Mr Coles dedication brought an idea to my thick skull. Living in a senior community some I’ve spoken to are afraid of getting a pet because who will take care of it when they die. . . Will look into a “club” for animals lovers and speak with the local vet. Great idea ! !!
Hillary Rettig
So sorry for your loss, Tony, but what a wonderful few years you gave him.
We also adopted two elder dogs, and I’m haunted by what they must have experienced earlier. Even though pups are all the fun in the world, there’s something so deeply satisfying about giving shelter and love to a senior.
JR in WV
It is awfully hard, but as we always say, the last best thing you can do for our fuzzy 4-legged pals. WE miss them so much.
Living our in the woods, sometimes one of the critters will just disappear into the deep forest. They know when it’s over. I try to catch their decline before it reaches that point, and mostly I do.
Our vet is a group of very empathic doctors, and they do a great job of helping them slide into their next world smoothly and with ease. I’m grateful for their work helping the furry critters live well. We adopt many little critters from them, as they never turn a hurting customer away.
Right now we have a cat (Spikke, ’cause she’s so sharp) and a dog (Happy, ’cause she IS happy) that we adopted from them. We insist on paying for the normal care it took to get them adoptable, spaying and vaccinations. They kept Happy for 9 months treating heartworm. She’s a small lab-mix kind of dog, 40 pounds or so. She runs with glee when we let her outdoors.
I miss our late companions, 12 of them if I’m counting right. Tears make counting hard.
There are 2 dogs and 2 cats right now, of course that can change in a moment.
Bless all our furry friends, and those who care for them!
satby
So so sorry TonyS! The love that you gave Snarls Barkley shines through every word of this beautiful elegy. Thank you for sharing it with us. You turned his sad hopeless life into one of love and happiness. Snarls will recognize heaven, because he thought he was already there.
satby
@Botsplainer: And sorry to hear this Botsplainer. I wish it wasn’t so.
But you and your 42 pound dog will find a place. Of course he’s under 50 pounds, you have 97 witnesses who can vouch for that.
Mary in Ohio
I am so sorry for the pain you are going through. That was an amazing tribute to your beloved furbaby.
JenJen
So, I got the morning cry over with, I guess.
What a beautiful four years you gave him! RIP, Snarls.
Dog Mom
RIP, Snarls! Peace and comfort to you as you remember your companion. The link below is a nice reminder that some people are finding compassion in their hearts for an old dog. https://www.facebook.com/SPCAofNiagara/photos/a.329996233746191.78104.239082059504276/757860390959771/?type=1&theater
TriassicSands
Snarls was fortunate to have you as his friend and companion during the final four years of his life. Our companion animals don’t live long enough. I’m sure your love and care made up for at least some of the abuse he faced before you found each other. And thank you for adopting older critters — they need homes just as much as puppies and kittens.
The person who abandoned Snarls may have done so in the hope that he would receive the care he needed. Veterinary care is expensive and beyond the means of many Americans.Finding you gave Snarls a chance for a dignified, peaceful end in the company of people who could not only give him love, but also medical attention.
Trinity
Thank you for sharing about Snarls. An incredibly moving tribute.
eric nny
Lovely Tony S. You’re a saint.
Tony Seideman
@JPL: I was thinking about that. Non-dog people have a hard time understanding those of us who will trade a damp spot for love. And can you imagine if we had kicked him off the bed? Those sad eyes looking at us, pleading for an explanation. I’m simply not that strong a person.
Tony Seideman
@Elizabelle: We currently have three dogs. Jesicur, who is about 11-12, Monty, who is 13-14, and Ulysses, who is 2-4.
Monty was a non-shelter rescue so we got him fairly young. Jessica sort of ambushed us, so we got her young, too. Suddenly, they’ve gotten old. How on earth did that happen?
Lizzy L
Sweet, sweet Snarls Barkley. My condolences.
I don’t believe in Hell, but if I did, I would be quite sure that people who abuse animals, children, and the elderly are on their way to it.
SWMBO
This is a page I follow on facebook:
http://oldfriendsseniordogs.com/
They do lovely work. I helped vote them into a year’s worth of free dog food.
Patricia Kayden
Such a touching tribute. Rip Snarls. You were truly loved.
mostlygrey
Thank you for your tribute to Snarls(I love the name).
I had run across a neglected older hound online at a shelter fairly close to us yesterday and, though being a hound household, I didn’t think this poor older gal would be a good fit with our three younger males. Your post pushed a couple of buttons so I emailed the s.o. and we planned a little trip this morning. I think the list of what is right with her(the hound, not the s.o.) is shorter than what is wrong, but we brought her home anyway. No matter how much time we get with her, at least her time won’t be spent stressed at a shelter and she seems a complete sweetheart.
Thank you again for your post that gave me a little nudge to do the right thing today.
Also, just in case it doesn’t read right, the shelter was not neglecting her. I’m actually surprised at the amount of work they had put into her in the month+ that she had been there.
Paul in KY
RIP, Snarls. So glad you made a home for him.
Baquist
What a lovely and moving tribute. Can’t seem to get these specks out of my eyes……………..
My deepest condolences. Your love for him simply leaps off the page.
Johnny's Mom
Thank you for your beautiful tribute to Snarls. I feel like I know him and love him too. I guess that’s why I’m crying. So, yeah, thanks for that too. I’m so sorry for your loss.