On losing my dog...

I honestly don't know what possessed Betty and I to
adopt a dog but we did. On a cold day in January, 1993,
we visited the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri
to see the candidates...

While I stood in the lobby inquiring about how to
accomplish the adoption, Betty went back among the
kennels to look at the animals.
Even from the lobby area, I could hear one dog that seemed to be barking
more loudly, more urgently, than the other 20 or so
prospective adoptees. When I finally passed through
the door to the kennel area, I found Betty standing next to the barker...

For the next 13 years, Smokey (as he was named)
was our fearless defender, faithful companion, and friend.

As it is with any friends, you become accustomed
to one another...in a household, you develop a
routine that is comforting in its stability.
My little buddy sat with me each morning as I prepared
to leave for work and always watched with
concern as I departed into the uncertainty
of another day...

In his old age, like anyone, he suffered from health problems.
Our routine eventually included twice-daily insulin injections,
heart medication, thyroid supplements...

In the end--when struck with an infection that proved to be
too much for his little body--how hard he fought!

In the wee hours of a Spring morning in 2006, Betty and I
watched helplessly and tried to comfort our little
warrior through a terrible seizure that seemed to last for minutes.
And, then we gently and tearfully wrapped him in a soft towel and
called the nearest 24-hour Emergency Animal Clinic...

He's gone now, wherever they go...

As Will Rodgers once said, "If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went."

Smokey's Obituary is here.

Here are some thoughtful links, too...
A Dog's Prayer
A Living Love
Various quotations regarding dogs.

Click here to return to the home page.