Thursday, March 22, 2012

EULOGY FOR AUGIE DOGGIE: 1996-MARCH 20, 2012--MY HERO, MY PAL

Doc Magic
Augie the Doggie <3
All You Need Is Love
by John Lennon, aka Dr. Winston O'Boogie:
"There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that can't be seen."
Thanks for showing me Augeroo. <3
Sir Paul McCartney's contribution:
"Everybody"

My ex-wife awoke Tuesday morning to find our Augie the Doggie, best guess 16 years old, unconscious and rushed him to the veterinarian where he had to be euthanized. I got the phone call today, Wednesday March 21st.  Augie saved my life. Augie was my constant companion through good times and bad for years. Augie knew me better than anyone for all of those years. Augie was a man of compassion, courage, wit, wisdom, affection and vast quantities of LOVE. LOVE in such abundance I can’t begin to express it with words. Augie would do so by raining kisses endlessly upon my face. He would express it by honoring me by allowing me gradually and exclusively to be the one allowed to give him hugs. He would express his LOVE by understanding that my feelings were real and responding to them by either lifting my spirits with laughter, or affection, or vocalizations, or redirecting me to play or walk. Augie would express his incredible abundance of LOVE by allowing me to become his brother relatively late in his life and choosing me to be his loyal partner and granting me his abiding allegiance over and above anybody else. He expressed his LOVE by letting me know of his own fears and discomforts and having patience while I tried to understand what his needs were. He expressed his LOVE for me by demonstrating clearly that he wanted to know me intimately and personally and that he wanted to know what my fears and discomforts were and how he could help me. He expressed his LOVE by letting me know in no uncertain terms what I could do that would make him a happier being and giving me the chance to do that, and by doing exactly the same for me. He expressed his astounding capacity for LOVE by understanding that teaching him coping skills that he needed to flourish in his environment were intended to help him and by trusting me implicitly in so doing. He expressed his astounding capacity for LOVE by showing time after time that he was willing to rush toward danger to ward off threats with his barks and even more courageous actions. He expressed his love by always forgiving my oversights or undesirable actions. He expressed his  beautiful LOVE by teaching me all about the central core of my purpose today and the true meaning of my God, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. He especially expressed his LOVE with those precious face blops. And by teaching me that if others thought me eccentric for letting him blop my face till he dropped, then it was high time I loosened up enough not to care what others think! But mostly, he expressed his seemingly infinite capacity for LOVE by taking the time (and it required years on his part and great patience) to teach me that not only do I actually have the capacity to LOVE (for I had long ago decided that I just lacked the ability), but that I was actually LOVING him in real time. He showed me that I could LOVE and that I was LOVING. I can think of few mortal beings who have given me a greater gift.




Some of my final face blops from Mr. Happy!
My ex-wife, Sally, heroically adopted Augie the Doggie before I met her in 1999. Sally and I worked together, and I met Augie, if I recall correctly perhaps once or twice when she took him to work. But I REALLY first met Augie at Sally’s then home, a second floor apartment in Wallingford, Connecticut when I dated her for the first time. A much younger man with a bit more vim and vigor than today, Sally and I were watching some television in her den when I slid closer to her on the sofa and placed my arm around my date. Augie barked. And barked. And barked! He barked mercilessly. We Lol’ed a lot at it. Internally, I was disgruntled. But I was also grudgingly appreciating Augie’s protective streak. As your Mr. Smooth Unabashed correspondent attempted to kiss Ms. Sally, Augie barked even louder. As baseball games go, Augie was going to make certain I didn’t make it to the majors or even the minors. First base was all he would allow. : ) The truth is that we both thought the situation was funnier than heck and it was. That was Augie, though, he was loyal and defending Sally and it does take heroism to do so, he was all of 55 pounds and about 18 inches tall, and I was young, 5’9” and about 180 lbs! He LOVED Sally and did until the day that he expired and still does! And well he should. Sally could have purchased a dog, but she chose to rescue a canine that might otherwise be euthanized for no fault of their own, and decided to adopt a pound puppy. Anybody who adopts a pound pup is a hero in that regard. Sally would relay to me that the day she went to the pound to pick out a pup (actually an adult dog—Augie was fully grown) the story about how Augie out-cuted all the other competitors that day, thereby gaining himself a ticket off of what could have been death row for him.
We adopted a kitten, born to feral parents,
because I wanted Augie to have company and I wanted the
kitten to have a good home. I was unsure if Augie
would allow a cat into his territory. The first week was tense,
but Augie wound up accepting and tolerating a great deal from his new sis.
Bluebelle the WonderCat is still with me today,
and now resides with me and her new family member
Angel Orange the fluffball rescue kitty.
Being a pound pup we couldn’t be certain of his exact birth date, but at the time of his death he was 16 years old. And being a pound pup, his breeds were uncertain, but to a “T” anybody I’d have hazard a guess, always said Corgi and German Shepherd, and that was my take as well. He had a very friendly Shepherd face and coloration, ears which my nephew when he was a tyke referred to as ‘medium floppy’ (and NOT symmetrical), a sort of barrel physique and stubby corgi style legs. He was….. Cute as all get go! Augie suffered from a chronic condition known as Addison’s disease, in which his adrenal glands could not produce enough of their hormones on their own, so he required replacement hormones in pill form the entire time Sally and then Sally and I were part of Augie’s family. This situation caused Augie to have excessive thirst and urination, which posed problems for him at times in his life. But he was never a complainer about physical or other inconveniences.
As Sally and I grew closer, I got to know Augie well and I’ve always loved K9’s. One other, Iggie had clearly saved my life in explicit terms, and growing up and much of my adult life has been blessed by a series of K9 family members. But this is Augie’s story, so I’ll reserve tales of daring do by others for another occasion. : ) There can be no doubt that during our courtship and dating, Augie was a big part of our growing close. We would go to state parks and beaches to walk him, he developed great affection for me because I love playing with dogs actively and Augie just gobbled that up and Sally being less inclined to the rough stuff and to getting down on the floor to play with him, I began to fulfill a different role for him. But we were having a lot of fun together with Augie.
As our relationship evolved in January 2007 Sally and I moved in together in that 2nd floor Wallingford apartment, and I at that point was not working having just suffered a disability. So Augie and I were together a whole lot! I took to walking him a great deal, and because he was living on the second floor and the consequences of the Addison’s disease, I decided to paper train Augie at 11 or 12 years old, because he was having difficulties with maintaining continence in the apartment. He enjoyed being trained, and he had a few other troublesome behaviors and we worked together on them and he responded very well. We quickly became a mutual admiration society. Not to take away from Sally who was working full time then, but even Sally agreed that Augie developed a great fondness for me and developed a love and loyalty to me. Being out of work and getting bored, I walked long walks with Augie at least twice a day. This led to me having the desire to get healthy; I began jogging and even joined the YMCA doing some workouts (thanks Augie!).
Every night it became a ritual, as a trio we had “Augie Time” each night. Augie loved when I’d get down on the floor and we would be level eyeball to eyeball, and we would play and I’d pet him, and I spoiled him by stuffing piping hot hotdogs into “Kong” toys, and I would get downright silly with him each night, and he helped loosen up this stiff sob for the first time in his life in a big way. Augie acquired a stable of names: Augie, Augusto, Mr. Aug, The Augman, Augie Doggie, Augie The Doggie, Doc Magic (MD not PhD, yuk—his magic was LOVE), Magic Man, Mr. Happy, Augeroooooo were just the tip of the iceberg. And he loved them all and I loved them too. Sally was having fun with this too. Even his toys got names. He had Mr. Saucer, Mrs. Saucer, the Redbone, Mr. Blue Star, the Little Blue, The Big Blue—OMG was it silly and FUN! Augie taught me how to have fun, something I forgot about for a decade or so!
What Augie Meant To Me.
His Legacy. :)
We moved to a shoreline town and a much smaller apartment in an effort to save money, West Haven, and I took to running even more and even went vegetarian (for a second or third time in my life) motivated by the Augman! When I’d walk Augie, now 13 years old, I tried jogging with him a couple of times. He LOVED it! Pretty soon as we were walking he’d just take it upon himself to start up running and I’d be running with a 13 year old stubby legged corgi/shepherd mix down the fairly urban streets of West Haven, Connecticut. What a sight we must have been. One night I was walking particularly late with Doc Magic, and a group of kids looking for trouble and likely liquored or substanced up came charging up hollering at me as though they intended me harm, they saw Augerooooo (it WAS dark-lol) and turn-tail and ran away! (Thanks Aug!).
One night I got silly after Sally had gone to bed and made a big production of feeding the fish—Augusto loved for me to talk with and to him. So I told him it was “Fishy Time.” I showed him the fish in our tank, had him check the tank out and fed the fish, telling him how happy the fish were and then I gave him treats and had ‘bonus Augie Time!” The next night I was headed to bed, and Augie stopped me—came right in front of me, looked up at me to get my attention, walked over to the fish tank, looked at the tank, looked at me, looked at the tank and looked at me. He had already figured out “Fishy Time” loved the ritual and wanted it nightly and HE TAUGHT ME THAT FISHY TIME WAS GOING TO HAPPEN EVERY NIGHT! He was a VERY smart creature and taught me many things in this manner or similar ways.
Augie, M.D. (Doctor of Magic) was a man of peace, an
indiscriminate lover of all.
He'd blop anybody anywhere anytime. :) <3
I went through a severe period of despondency and depression during our year in West Haven. One night was particularly difficult, and I was seated on our sofa head hung, extremely sad and self-absorbed. Augie was already older and having some problems with his legs (aside from the fact that they were tiny—sorry Mr. Happy, its just true-lol) and NEVER got on that sofa at that point. I was at an emotional bottom and Augie knew it. He was my constant companion and of course he knew when I was feeling good and when I was not. That night he JUMPED up on this sofa, gave me blops and jumped down to the floor. I was so self-absorbed that I was oblivious to what he had just done, but he stared at me in such a way as to get my attention and when our eyes met he looked at me and wagged his tail. He was proud that he had broken through to me and he knew it. He taught me that I was being oblivious to others and that I needed to respond to those around me with this ingenious thing that he did that night. I cried and laughed with him and he was extremely happy and proud of himself, and came over and SAT for some mellow petting something he rarely was inclined to. It was a lifesaving move on his part; he gave me a clear message and changed my direction that night in particular although he always did what he could to help.
Medium Floppy Ears is how my nephew Seneca described them!
I was so happy with Augie and motivated by our relationship that I decided that maybe I might consider becoming a dog trainer; I had a dog trainer friend who encouraged me. I was advised by several trainers to take Augie through a beginners’ obedience course to see if dog training was for me. Michelle Douglas, a professional dog trainer, as a public service offers courses in a neighboring town for their Recreation Department at vastly reduced fees compared to lessons at her practice or at other private practices. So at 13 Augie became Michelle’s oldest beginner! Sally and I took Augie through the course for about 10 weeks and it was a blast. Augie did great and it was fun galore. We’d take Augie to parks and beaches to practice his lessons and he learned fast and well. Michelle went on to become the President of the American Professional Dog Trainer’s Association, and it was my privilege to recently write a letter of recommendation for her, and I hope she takes up that position once again!
Augie and Me :)
A coupla Augie stories. I took him for a walk in the fall at a state park full of fallen leaves. The Augman pulled and pulled on his leash insisting that I follow him to a pile of leaves. He dug into the leaves and pulled something big outa there! It was a bone! Good sniffer Aug! But it wasn’t just any kind of bone. It sure looked like a human spinal column to me! Befuddled and confused, I got the bone outa Augie’s grasp and kicked the bone as far as I could and loaded Augie into the car and went home. I thought. And I thought. I couldn’t get that bone off my mind. I finally decided that it just might be human remains and I told Sally about it and went back to the park without Augie this time. In due course I found the bone, packaged it up and took it home. Sally checked it out and we just couldn’t be sure. We called in her brother, Don, and he confirmed our suspicions that it appeared most likely to be an old swine spine from a pig roast in days gone by. Phew! Thanks for the scare Aug! LOL! <3
We moved back to a house in Wallingford in 2009, where for the first time Aug had his own fenced in back yard, and shortly after Thanksgiving that year Augie Doggie had the best day a dog ever had! It started with Sally and me in the back yard taking some pictures of a ramshackle shed that I was planning to renovate, and I and Sally took a host of pictures of the shed. It wasn’t until we went into the house and blew the pictures up on the computer that we saw that Augie had snuck into all the photos! With a big sh_t eatin’ grin on that medium floppy mug of his! As if that weren’t enough, I went back out into the yard to take some measurements of the shed, and I looked two yards over, and there 14 year old Augusto was, grinnin’ at me from half a block away. The old geezer had escaped his back yard! I hollered in to Sally to get the leash and I dashed down the street and into the neighbor’s back yard. Augie put up no resistance, merely looked up at me with a sly smile, and came willingly back to his beloved back yard.
But THAT is just the tip of the iceberg of Augie’s finest day. I was downstairs entertaining two formerly feral cats we were caring for, when I heard a ruckus upstairs. Augie’s nails on the hardwood floor and the kitchen floor and Sally’s feet could be heard from the basement and Sally yelling “AUGIE, STOP! AUGIE! BAD DOG! STOP, AUGIE, STOP!!!” Clippety clop, stomp, stomp stomp! Our house was basically one big circle and I could hear that Sally was chasing down the Augman in a circle, or actually several dozen circles. I admit it took me a few minutes to stop yukking it up before coming upstairs, because Sally was mad at Augie and I feared being found out that I found humor in the situation. Lol. When I came up, Sally was in the kitchen looking disheveled, Augie was in another room, and I asked Sally what Augie did? Sally cried exasperatedly: “He got the turkey leg!” I couldn’t help it, I LOL’ed (so did Sally, she was a good sport about it). So I did not want Aug to down the turkey bones, so I enjoined him in the chase. I tried to kick the leg (it wasn’t a drumstick, it was an entire leg from a 25lb turkey that fed more than a dozen that weekend), but to no avail! Hollering was ineffective. Petting and gentle persuasion wasn’t gonna cut it. So I had Sally microwave a hot dog, and I took the steaming frankfurter and dangled it in front of him, but he kept going around—I dangled it and we kept jogging the circular circuit from room to room. I finally literally threw a hot dog at the dog! Augie had a whole wiener thrown at him on purpose by a human. First time in K9 history! And Augie downed that entire turkey leg on the run without putting it down once while we were pulling out all the stops to prevent him. I WAS PROUD! Worried that he’d be sick, and he was sick as a dog (sorry Aug) for 24 hours with gastrointestinal distress. But I WAS PROUD! Augie made CNN (the Canine News Network) that night and the cover of Canine Street Journal the next day, his day having been declared “THE FINEST DAY IN K9 HISTORY!”
Augie and Bluebelle,
in this action photo Augie is gnawing on his own leg.
He's much more famous for his talents with TURKEY LEGS! :)
Sally and I did break up and divorced about a year ago. But as soon as it was possible I made sure I would go to our old house and visit Aug, I took him for walks—particularly since I knew I was about to have back surgery last December, and might not be able to see him or walk him for some time. I even cut up a handicapped ramp for him to get into and out of my vehicles so he could get to go on walks with me, as his legs deteriorated.
Last week I went to the state capitol in Hartford for Humane Lobby Day, in conjunction with the state’s Humane Society, and I was actually phoning my own State Representative about animal rights legislation around the same time Augie was probably passing to the next life. I covered the trial of a man who stabbed his own dog 29 times (Princess survived and now has a loving home) as a journalist, but met some wonderful animal rights activists and I am constantly thinking of Augie in these endeavors. I’ll be at the capitol again next week to lobby for humane legislation and have a lunch and interview pending with the state’s awesome Humane Society Director and former State Representative Annie Hornish. All of this is because of Augie.
My hat is off to Sally for stepping out and making the decision to rescue a dog instead of buying one.
I’m convinced more than ever that I am a spiritual being having a temporary human experience. AND that dogs are the EXACT SAME SPIRITUAL BEINGS just happening to have temporary canine experiences instead.
And Doc Magic?  What on earth can I say. I LOVE YOU MAN! And it took you to teach me that LOVING is what I do. Thank you, sir. Bless you. We’ll be reunited in due time my brother. And know that I’ll never be able to repay you for the gifts you’ve given me. And I promise to always tell the story of Augie’s awesome Thanksgiving weekend day! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

I'm certain one of Augie's favorite causes was the Humane Society of the United States. Augie and I encourage donations or whatever help you can lend. <3

humanesociety.org/

So many have been touched by Augie's passing and so many have mentioned, are and have been reassured by the Rainbow Bridge Poem and website that I'm adding this link to this eulogy on March 24, 2012:

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm



67 comments:

gordonf said...

I feel your pain and your gratitude for having Augie in your life. It's a very sad day when we lose a friend such as he was to you. My sympathies to you.

Unabashed Left said...

Thanks Gordon, he was my brother, my friend and sometimes my guardian. What a great soul that Augie, and he does live on! MUCH appreciated. <3 :)

David Weiss said...

we'll never approach how good they think we are...

Kimmi Ramone said...

Sorry for your loss. He's at Rainbow Bridge playing with my Max until our times arrive

Lindy Lulu said...

I'm so sorry for your loss of your best buddy :-( It's a heart-breaking thing to go through...I know.
May he play freely,with his new friends,OTRB, until he hears his Daddy's voice,when u cross. He will then cross over with you.
Much love to you both. xxx
R.I.P. Augie ♥

Teresa Folds said...

((((hugs))))

Jamie Novick-Fox said...

I send you my heartfelt condolences. There is nothing more difficult for me than saying goodbye to a beloved pet. The final act of love and mercy that you can give to your dying cat or dog is euthanasia. Farewell handsome Augie. ♥

Lorie Borek said...

So sorry for your loss! My heart goes out to you. There is no love like"dog love" RIP Augie...Job well done!!

Unabashed Left said...

Indeed, Lori Borek, Augie had an assignment and he accomplished it most admirably indeed. And with LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Bye for now Augeroooooo... ♥

Colleen Collins said...

Sleep well, Augeroo....

Marilena Noy said...

I am so sorry Steve, I know you are like me and love all animals. I know how it feels when our beloved companions pass away. Augie will be waiting for you!

Lynda Walker said...

Oh, gosh, Steve, I'm so sorry. They bring so much to our lives, and love us more than they love themselves. You will be reunited at Rainbow Bridge....until then.....he waits. xoxo

Patricia Pereira said...

so sorry for your loss....our pets are so much a part of our families...it's so very painful to lose them.

Chrisitne Gates LeGrant said...

So very sorry, Steve. I know it's heartbreaking when you lose a companion. (((hugs))

Natalie Carlisle Davis said...

♥♥♥♥♥RIP Augie♥♥♥♥♥

MaryAnne Tracy-Baker said...

God-Bless you Augie and Steve know he is in Heaven with other animals because they do have a Heart and soul!

Unabashed Left said...

Absolutely, MaryAnne Tracy-Baker. You and I both know the big secret. ;O) ♥

Barbara Albert said...

Great sorrow.... and great memories. The best reasoning I ever heard: Although we would love to have them through our whole lives, the gift WE give THEM..... is being there through THEIR entire lives. Thanks for, in a small measure, sharing Augie with us.....

Teresa Lovern said...

Great eulogy, Steve! I feel everyone should adopt rather than buy. Perhaps we could stop the puppy mills if they didn't have customers. You have to right attitude about Augmeister. Gratitude replaces grief. They do teach us a lot. Absolute unconditional love.

Unabashed Left said...

‎Teresa Lovern, thanks to Doc Magic, Augie, UNCONDITONAL LOVE is now my one purpose in life, to try every day to implement that one principle most effectively. How can I possibly repay him for that? I askya? ♥

Rebecca Smith said...

I'm sorry you've lost your furry friend.

Patty Eible said...

aww poor doggy :'(

Elizabeth Maria Seeger said...

My deepest sympathies on your loss

Unabashed Left said...

ty so much Ms. Eible. <3

Patty Eible said...

you're so very welcome prayers are out there for your loss and that augie is in peace now with the angels. ♥

Lisa DeArmon said...

I'm sorry I hope you're doing well. I love dogs xo Lisa?

Elizabeth Maria Seeger said...

I like to think my pets are waiting for me on " the rainbow bridge" to be reunited with me when I eventually pass on. A lot of people think that this is morbid, but heaven to me isn't heaven without my pets and animal friends I've encountered in my life.

Joanne Landall Tinsley said...

I'm sorry for your loss. I know how much it hurts to lose a fur kid.

Gigi Schaumberg said...

So sorry for your loss! Big Hug!

Barbara Primavera said...

Bob Migliaccio said...

Sorry about your pup

Johnny Womak said...

I'm very sorry.

Rick Brown said...

It is like losing a best friend, but one who always wants to go in the car with you, sleeps by your bed, and is afraid of the vacuum cleaner. Lost my pal last November. RIP, Augie

'Ragin Bull' said...

I'm so terribly sorry to read about the loss of one of your family members hun, they are all the good parts of a total life carefully wrapped up in furry clothes and wet nose love bindings just for us. Rest well Augie Doggie.

Middle Molly's America said...

So sorry that your Augie is gone, Unabashed. He did have a good, long doggy life. Our dogs are 13 now, and we know we only have a few more years with them. My deepest condolences.

Unabashed Left said...

Yes, post-adoption Augie had the best life, prior to that I don't know, Middle Molly's America, but had my ex-wife not heroically chosen to adopt a pound K9 rather than purchasing, Augie might not have had any decent life at all or might have received the death penalty for no reason at all! So my thanks go out today to my ex-wife. :)

'Ragin Bull' said...

Love for you just doubled after reading this thankyou to your ex, you're a rare breed Mr. All us animals on the blue marble are luckier for it.

Unabashed Left said...

thanks for noticing 'Ragin Bull', you're not too shabby yourself. :)

'Ragin Bull' said...

‎;0]

Jennifer Plumb said...

Sad for you, but I find myself smiling at the positivity that you are finding in Augie's passing. My goal in life is to be the kind of person my do thinks I am. Treasure the memories...

Unabashed Left said...

For anyone who has ever lost a loved one of another species, check out this website: http://rainbowsbridge.com/

Joyce Jacksom said...

So sorry to hear about Augie. I'm an animal lover who has gone thru the same heartache..... My heart goes out to you and your precious Augie who meant so much to you. (((♥)))

Amy Halpern said...

IM sorry for your loss. Within 6 months last year and this i lost 2 of my animals...Its such a los

Carla Binion said...

It's so very sad to lose an animal companion. I'm sorry for your loss, though it's good Augie inspired your work for other animals and that you had so many good experiences together.

Unabashed Left said...

TY so much Amy Halpern, Carla Binion and Joyce Jackson. ♥ 's and xo's galore to you, Joyce and all, and Amy you have my deepest sympathies for your losses so close together. :'(

Joyce Jackson said...

♥♥♥

Steve Downing said...

I'm so very sorry. It is so hard to say goodbye. Thank you for sharing Augie with us.

Marlene Fisher said...

♥ ♥ ♥

Jan Greg-Kelm said...

My heart is with you! I wish Augie a good journey. No doubt he will be one of the brightest stars to shine in the sky.

Barbara Albert said...

Great sorrow.... and great memories. The best reasoning I ever heard: Although we would love to have them through our whole lives, the gift WE give THEM..... is being there through THEIR entire lives. Thanks for, in a small measure, sharing Augie with us.....

Unabashed Left said...

TY Barbara Albert so much. I know that you knew Ginger Snaps/Melissa Hayes, also a recently departed friend of mine and a lost loved one of a new dear friend Lisa DeArmon. Ginger and her cousin died in a car crash last October and the consequences have been devastating for Lisa DeArmon, her cousin's children and snowballed horribly. But I am so glad to now be acquainted with Lisa who is so amazing it is unreal. She's stepped up and is caring for kids by the half dozen or more because of the tragic loss of her brothers all while her own kids are trying to do college. ♥♥♥ Ginger too!

Meredith Williams Rubar said...

So sorry you lost your best friend. We who adore dogs have all been through this. The hole in my heart left by Gracie can never be filled. Thank you for being a good mommie.

Unabashed Left said...

Correction, Meredith, my name is Steve Alexander, UL is my penname and I'm male. LOL! It's an impossibility for me to have been the Augmeister's mommie, but I accept the compliment fully. ;O) ♥ Thanks so much!

Meredith Williams Rubar said...

‎(sorry) Don't know where that came from.

Unabashed Left said...

It came from love, and I so appreciate the sentiment, Meredith Williams Rubar! ♥

Meredith Williams Rubar said...

I don't know what I would do without the belief in Rainbow Bridge. Thanks for posting that. We will all see you there!

Karin Gebauer Craig said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Augie, Steve.

Susan Kenyon Pitts said...

Very sorry to hear this. If there's a heaven, our dogs are there waiting for us.

Elizabeth Simmons said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.

Joanne Landall Tinsley said...

I'm sorry for your loss. Furry friends are the best kind. :(

Elizabeth Langlais said...

I am so sorry. I lost my boy in September.

Shelley Thomas said...

Aw, I'm so sorry!

Mary Gariepy said...

I'm sorry for your loss, Steve. I too have lost a special family pet @ age 16.It's hard to let them go, we'll meet again at the Rainbow Bridge..there is no pain or suffering there..

Unabashed Left said...

Sorry to hear of YOUR loss, Mary. :'( <3

Sharon Richter Perica said...

deeply sorry for your loss. our pets make our lives deeper, richer, and give us endless joy. they are there 24/7--we wake up with them and go to sleep with them by our sides...few of our people-pals are there for us to that extent. We NEVER get enough time with them.

Jeremy Sawatsky said...

So sorry for your loss. It's hard to lose a great dog.

Unabashed Left said...

WOW JEREMY, thank YOU! You absolutely get it! The Augman absolutely was a GREAT DOG! Among humans there have been folks like Martin Luther King Junior, Rosa Parks, Helen Keller, John Paul II, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa. Among canines there's been Rin Tin Tin, Lassie and AUGIE THE DOGGIE!!!! Thanks sooooo much for that wonderful comment. That one brought the biggest smile to my face since my pal, my hero--Doc Magic passed away. ♥♥♥♥♥