Thursday, August 13, 2015

Goodbye, Snoopy


Dec. 14, 2001~August 13, 2015

Today, I helped mom and Poppy say goodbye to Snoopy. For the last 14 years, Snoop's been Poppy's shadow, best buddy, and partner in crime. He's the son of my beloved and much missed Charlie. He would come stay with us for a couple weeks each summer while my folks traveled. He and Charlie would spend 30 minutes reestablishing who was in charge (Charlie would wrestle him to the ground and sit on his head until he submitted), and then the rest of the time running, playing and tag teaming rabbits. The last time he came to visit was the summer after Charlie died. Leaping from the van, he ran into the backyard looking for his mom. All around, under the deck, behind the garage; he finally settled under the lilac bush where she's buried. He spent the afternoon there.

Go home, Snoopy, your mom's waiting for you.


When I got to the folks' place this morning, mom was in the living room crying and Poppy was on the back deck crying and I was afraid I was too late. Snoopy was down between Poppy's workshop and the fence and neither of them were able to crawl back there to get him. I took a beach towel and his favorite chew toy (ironically a plastic squeaky Woodstock) and crawled back to him. He couldn't even lift his head, but he licked my hand in greeting; I choked back tears and rolled him onto the towel so I could slide him out. I got their neighbor, Mark (bless you Mark, you've been so good to my folks and I truly appreciate it) to help me load him in their car. Looking at them, I knew I was driving, no question. We got to the vet's and a couple of assistants came out to help me carry him in and get him settled in a room. Mom stayed in the waiting room and I went with Poppy while they prepped our puppy in the back. It took them 45 minutes to find a decent vein, and during that time waiting. Poppy and I relived Snoopy memories. I realized I was there for his birth, and I was there for his death. It felt right, no matter how painful, it was right. After the drugs were administered, he slipped away peacefully. I will always be grateful for the time he spent with us.

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Peace

Heroditus Huxley said...

Dusty in here, damn it.

I weep for you and for your parents.

Woodrow said...

yeah, ditto on what Huxley & Anonymous said.

OldAFSarge said...

Dang allergies...

Irish said...

Sorry to hear :(

rickn8or said...

Little Fur-Faced People don't ask for much, but they sure take a lot with them when they go.

Angel eyes said...

R.I.P. pup.

Anonymous said...

My condolences man, losing our pets is really hard. 14 years is a good run.

Stackz O Magz said...

RIP Little Buddy

Jesse in DC said...

Sorry. It's the price we pay for the unconditional love we get....Some days that exchange is a lot harder than others...Hugs for all involved.

DoubleTroubleTwo said...

So sorry Angel!! Hugs to you and your family chickie!!! RIP Snoopy :(

Anonymous said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=H17edn_RZoY

Anonymous said...

I too am sorry for your loss. Our beloved pets are part of our families and saying goodbye is unbelievably hard.

R.I.P. Snoopy.

pigpen51 said...

I have lost 3 dogs in the last 8 years and it never gets easier. Cat people don't understand. Only dog lovers get it. We don't own a dog, they own us. My heart grieves for their loss.

Wind River Ranger said...

Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love. They depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog; it merely expands your heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big.

drjim said...

My deepest condolences to you and your family, Angel.

BTDT, and it's never easy, but when it's time, you'll both know.

I'm sure he had 14 years of doggie Heaven on Earth, and now it's time for the real thing.

RIP, Snoopy.......

Anonymous said...

Pigpen51, I buried a 22 Yr. old cat a few years back. Trust me, I get it. My condolences.

Anonymous said...

A new dog never replaces an old dog....... but keeping up with a new puppy is a wonderful way to keep you occupied while dealing with it.

WiscoDave said...

My sympathies.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post. Teared up big time. How is Poppy doing?
Terry
Fla.

Anonymous said...

Sorry for your loss
Fitty

JC said...

So sorry. Get me some sudafed dammit. Allergies.

Anonymous said...

My condolences to you and your family. It's always so hard to loose a best friend. Hope Poppy is ok.

RTinWeimar

Anonymous said...

My condolences to your family. Just remember that all dogs go to Heaven. They are the only creatures on Gods green earth that give and show unconditional Love.
swamprabbit

B said...

My condolences.

Got more to say, but it wouldn't matter to you right now.

Know I'm thinking of you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Putting down a fuzzy friend is the hardest thing you can do. I have lost three of my fuzzy friends this year. Snoopy may have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but he will be there to join his family when the time comes. Please accept my heartfelt understanding and condolences. Mike W. KY

Wraith said...

God be with you and yours, Angel. I know Snoopy had the best life he could have asked for.

Jennifer said...

Hang in there. It never stops hurting, but it does ease off some.

Anonymous said...

http://www.caninesincrisis.com/Rainbow-Bridge-Poem.jpg#Rainbow%20Bridge%20%20579x690

RabidAlien said...

We had to say goodbye to our older beagle last October. The memory of that day still hurts, but its tempered by the memories of all our years together. Prayin for you and yours.

Anonymous said...

We did this very same thing a year ago with our beloved Labby, Max. I know how this feels. We buried him here on the place. A year later...still feel the sadness.
- BarbaCat

Randy said...

this brought back some memories, wheres my tissue

Anonymous said...

(((HUGGSSSS))) to all of you. :(

Anonymous said...

Recently had to say goodbye to the fury friend that kept my wife and I together during a black period of our relationship. He filled our lives for only 8 years as he was older when we "rescued" him. It's never easy. But rest easy knowing yu and yours were loved, and what more can we ask
Storyteller

Anonymous said...

all has been expressed and expressed well by the "family"...add my sympathies to the list .....


"adios,amigo poquito, vaya con dios!"

vaquero viejo

Dan said...

Whenever we acquire a pet we are obtaining a small future tragedy. Invariably they
die and invariably it hurts. Yet we continue throughout life to invite these little
friends to share a part of our life knowing they will depart leaving us in pain.
A rational being would say humans are crazy to do this. And perhaps we are. Yet life without pets is almost unimaginable. One can look at is as having small friends going ahead to scout out the terrain. I certainly hope when I cross over that all the pets I have had will be there waiting for me.

drjim said...

Dan, that's a way to look at it that I never thought of.

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Very sorry for your and your family's loss. I know these are difficult times, you are all in my thoughts.

Kang

Murphy's Law said...

Late to this, but SO sorry. It's tough, but keep focused on all the good times. The sadness that comes with the ultimate departure of our friends is a small price to pay for all that joy.