Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
My oldest sister (she's older than God and I say so because she'll probably read this) sent me this obituary recently. I have her permission to publish it here:
It was a dark and stormy night --------
Actually it was a cold, icy night in February, almost fourteen years ago, I found a little white puppy on the street out in the country. Her fur had gotten wet and had frozen on her body and she looked like a little white porcupine. I took her home, thawed her out and appropriately named her Snowball.
She grew up to be a beautiful dog, loving the country life, a little aggressive towards some of her siblings, well, really all of her siblings. She loved sleeping outside in the winter, loved sleeping inside right under an open air conditioning vent in the summer. Whenever someone spent the night, she always slept right outside their room. Don’t know if she thought they needed protection, or if she was protecting me, in case they would roam the house during the night.
This past six months or so hasn’t been the best time of her life. She developed arthritis and had muscle atrophy and couldn’t get around so well – but she still had total control of “her” food dish (and everyone else’s) --- a single growl could send everybody ducking for cover.
Last Friday morning was a normal morning – we all had our morning snacks and went for a walk all over the back yard. When I arrived home Friday evening, Snowball was down – she couldn’t get her legs to co-operate and get herself up. I gave her some pain pills thru the night and by morning she was sleeping so I decided to let her get some rest (all of us needed some sleep) ‘cause when Snowball ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!!! The day went on and still she was in pain and couldn’t get up.
K. came out that evening and we rigged up a makeshift gurney to get her to the car. Emergency clinic vet said there wasn’t anything they could do to make her walk again or to even be comfortable. So Snowball is running around in heaven now with all her buds and she isn’t in pain anymore. I sent kisses with her for everyone already there ---
Isn't it nice to know that Snowball took kisses to Harper and all of her friends who went to Heaven before her?
I'm grateful that Snowball had so many happy years living with my sister. She probably thought she had gone to Heaven when my sister took her home.
Infinities of love and wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving,
Janie Junebug
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| Snowball |
What a beautiful dog, what a beautiful story from my beautiful friend.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Same to you, dear.
DeleteWhat can I say after reading that? Just happy Thanksgiving to you & yours!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and your great family.
DeleteThere are too many puppy obituaries right now. It makes me sad. I want a pet but (ignoring the fact that I'm poor and can't afford one) I'm always dreading when that one day comes.
ReplyDeleteIt's horrible when they die, but it's worth going through it for the time we have with them.
DeleteHi Janie - lovely she had such a good home for so many years after that challenging start ... so sorry for your sister and family that they've lost their beloved Snowball ..
ReplyDeleteI hope you can have peaceful Thanksgivings ... Hilary
We'll be fine, Hilary. Thank you.
DeletePoor little Snowball. I hate it when animals are in pain. It makes them so helpless :(
ReplyDeleteStopping by to bring you a bit of love, Janie. What... a truckload of it!
Snowball is not in pain anymore. Thanks for the truckload.
DeleteOh, the ending shocked me. I did not expect her death as you wrote. She is a pretty dog. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteShe had a good life.
DeleteLife can be so bittersweet. I hope you and Franklin have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteThe sun shines, and Franklin enjoys the deck.
DeleteAw, rest in peace, Snowball! It sounds like your sister gave her a wonderful life! Happy Thanksgiving! Xo
ReplyDeleteMy sister takes very good care of her friends and family.
DeleteSounds like Snowball had a long and happy life with your sister. Blessings to all.
ReplyDeleteYes, God meant for my sister to find her.
DeleteHi, Janie!
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry for your sister's loss. Snowball's story reminds me of how Mrs. Shady and I came to adopt our dog Toto. In August 1999 Mrs. Shady visited her sister in rural Alabama. Mrs. Shady just happened to be sitting outside on the porch when a little neighbor boy walked by carrying a tiny black puppy. The boy told her he was looking for someone who would give the puppy a home because he and his family were too poor to care for it. Mrs. Shady took the puppy, brought it back home with her and for the next 14 years it was our wonderful pet Toto. We literally saved Toto's life because, on her first visit to the vet, we were told she was filled with worms and wouldn't have lived much longer without medical treatment, something that impoverished 'Bama boy surely would not have been able to afford.
I believe that Snowball, Faulkner, Harper and Toto are all together playing in heaven and patiently waiting for us to join the fun.
I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving, dear Janie. Please remember that I think about you often and that I genuinely care about you. How glad I am that you reached out to me all those months ago and invited me into your world. We have become great friends and for that I am thankful.
I'm grateful you had Toto. I know you miss her. I think of you often, too, my friend.
DeleteAwwww, I hate to read about the loss of a beloved pet and family member on Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful obituary. Hopefully family can provide comfort this Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteMy sister is with another sister. I'm sure they'll have a good dinner.
DeleteJanie, such a lovely tribute to a rescue doggy. She is beautiful, and I like to think that all my now deceased doggies are romping and having fun. Happy Thanksgiving, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Happy Thanksgiving, dear Linda Kay.
DeleteI know the feeling. While I was on my road trip Judy had to put down our Great Pyrenees for the same reason. Her back legs just gave out and she was too weak to even try to get up. She was such a sweet, loving old lady, too. All she wanted was to be touched. I do miss her.
ReplyDeleteI miss every dog who has owned me. The pain is fresh and raw from the loss of your sweet girl. I know how you miss her.
DeleteThat is one beautiful dog and excellent obituary. Even though Snowball is having fun in heaven, I feel sad that she had to leave. Saying good-bye to animals are a lot harder for me than saying good-bye to people. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteYes, I miss the animals more.
DeleteAw, that is the nicest obituary. Well, that sounds a little strange, but it was so well and lovingly written. Every time I read of a pet dying, it makes me want to go and snuggle mine. I'm glad Harper has Snowball now.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me while I go hug my doggy.
It's okay. Having a nice obituary is a good tribute to Snowball. Kiss your puppy, pretty girl.
DeleteIt always upsets me when I hear of beloved furry family members passing on. So sad. And what a horrible start to her little life - being found frozen - because some human thug had clearly left her outside in the snow. Bastard ...
ReplyDeleteBut, by the sounds of things, Snowball had a good life, and is now on the Rainbow Bridge with her friends. #RIP
I'm sure Snowball had such a happy life that she forgot how cold she was that one night.
DeleteShe was a beauty. I'm sorry for your sister and family's loss.
ReplyDeleteA blessed Thanksgiving to you all. xo
Thank you. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
DeleteOh my goodness wasn't she a beautiful dog, but Heaven is the best place for her now she can run and play with Harper and all her friends who have been waiting for her to join them
ReplyDeleteIt was her time to go.
DeleteOh, what a beautiful dog and a beautiful story. She was well-loved and met the right person to save her and give her a good life. :)
ReplyDeleteYou understand.
DeleteIt is I, your oldest sister, who is 29 just like you are so don't go making me seem "older than God". You have a lot of lovely friends----Thanks to them for all their well wishes!!!
ReplyDeleteI am 55. Sometimes time travels in reverse. You are my younger sister now. I told you my followers would like learning about Snowball. The blogosphere has a lot of animal lovers.
DeleteI like to think that the monsters that are cruel to animals are way out numbered by the people that care and worship their pets. I love my rescues. At least, thinking like that helps me sleep at night.
ReplyDeleteWe have to do whatever it takes to be able to keep living.
Delete