PAWsing to remember

I’ve taken the liberty of changing the lyrics to one of Willie’s songs to the following:

To all the dogs I've loved before
Who’ve traveled in and out my door
I'm glad they came along
I dedicate this song
To all the dogs I've loved before

To all the dogs I once caressed
And may I say I've held the best
For helping me to grow
I owe a lot I know
To all the dog I've loved before

To all the dog who shared my life
Who now are gone, have left this earth
I'm glad they came along
I dedicate this song
To all the dog I've loved before

To all the dog who cared for me
Who loved me unconditionally,

They live within my heart
and will always be a part
Of all the dogs I've loved before

Oh, how I miss my faithful friend Quincy. Blessed to have 14 years with the little yorkie.  When we had to put him down a couple of weeks ago, I lost a family member. Making the decision was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.  Looking into his eyes and telling him that I knew he was hurting and that the best I could do for him was to let him go, tore my heart to shreds.  Sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do.  Like telling my mom it was ok to go when she was dying.  From working in Hospice, I know how very important it is to tell your loved ones that you will be ok, that its ok to go.  But those words are hard to come up with when you see someone you love taking their last breaths.

Quincy came into my life in Feb of 2001.  Struggling to cope with the separation and eventual  divorce and trying to hold it together and keep the boys spirits buoyed I gave in to Andy’s desire to spend some of his “car money” his pepa had given him on a Yorkie pup.  Off we went to Tahlequah to a place where Yorkies abound.  Quincy was a purebred and was intended to be a show dog but he had one ear that flopped.  The trainer had taped it upright and had a blue bow in his hair and we instantly fell in love.  We paid the money and headed home, stopping at Taco Bell along the way where Andy shared his nachos with his new pup.  As soon as we left the ground of the Yorkie kennel Andy had removed the bow, untaped the floppy ear and named him Quincy Todd Byers…QT  get it?  Quincy after a cartoon character.  We took him home and for the next couple hours tried to coax him to pee outside in the grass.  When Andy’s dad showed up to see the new pup, Quincy promptly peed on him and I remember thinking  “I like this dog”  lol  The next few puppy months would be challenging as he chewed on everything, dug up the dirt in plants, resisted potty training and one day while I was at work found a roll of scotch tape and encased himself in it.  One morning he fell into the pool and I dove in in my nightgown to rescue him. Day by day he became a vital part of our family and the comfort he brought to all of us in the following months with all the changes happening to our family structure were priceless.  

When the boys and I moved to our Grandview st house Quincy promptly bonded more to me than his master Andy, I think because of the stairs he had to climb to hang out with Andy.  Mch easier to sleep downstairs by me. 

One of my favorite memories is when the Hospice team and I dressed up as the Wizard of Oz characters.  Quincy was the perfect TOTO.  I left the house already dressed in my tin man costume and somehow he escaped his leash. What a sight that was for the kids at the bus stop. A little yorkie running by with a Tin man chasing him.  They dropped their backpacks and joined in the chase.  For such a small dog, he had amazing speed.  The nursing homes residents we visited that day were all smiles when they got to pet and hold “toto”.  

When Chris left for college, it was Quincy who filled the gap for Andy and I who were missing him.  And when Andy went off to college a couple years later and could have taken him with him, he chose to leave him with me to keep me company.  

When Quincy met Joe they began a friendship that was so fun to watch.  For a while Quincy would not let Joe come near the bed if I was in it and would growl and snap as if to protect me.  A few squirts from the water bottle cured that habit which started another routine where as along as Joe petted Quincy first before attempting to come to bed, all was well.  When I wasn’t around Quincy stuck close to Joe, sleeping under his feet. Joe came to love Quincy as much as I did

We knew he wouldn’t last forever.  I wonder why science hasn’t found a way to make animals live longer.  It takes a part of our heart when they die.  I know I will eventually get another pet.  It occurred to me the other day that these last 2 weeks are the only time in my entire life that I have been petless. Since I’ve always wanted a Golden Retriever and Joe has always wanted a Wolfhound, I think we will remain pet less until we get our land.  Don’t think either of those breeds would be happy in our RV

Until then, I will pet the dogs I see along my walks, embrace the chance to keep the granddogs when I can and hold fast to the memories and smiles that all the dogs I’ve love have brought to my life.  

From  Shelby and Mister, and Red, and Tico and Grover, and Fritz and Charlie Brown 1 and 2 and Skeeter and Beaglie and Coco and Duke and Lady and Rambo to all the dogs who didn’t’ live with me but have touched my life along the way…I thank you.  You are a part of my history.  A part of my family.  You were loved and are missed. 

I am paw sing to remember you.