It’s Show Time Snoopy!

It was hard to let go of the unconditional love of 20 years. The oldest dog alive is 21 years old. You were almost there my pawkiddo!

I have my moments in which I want to only remember the funny stories about you instead of the sad ones. Sometimes I may be ok and then all of the sudden I start crying because I miss you so much. At times I still hear your steps coming down the hall. I know you were trying to be there for me and knew I needed your sweet soul. I finally realized I was holding you back. The minute I whispered in your ear that it was ok to let go and we were going to be ok, you started to get ready for your departure destination doggy heaven. I saw you struggling, dealing with pain, and keeping your balance. I never saw you saying no to treats, food, cuddles, and car rides. They say it gets easier to say goodbye to your pawkiddos, but that is far from the truth.

After your brother Max passed away, we learned the process of what to do, but the pain to make a decision to say goodbye is as intense. The hardest part is to walk away from you. The only thing that helps me to deal with this pain, is to visualize Max waiting on you at the gate of doggy heaven so you both keep each other company and can run free.

Did you know that I dreamt about you before you even were rescued by us. You were introduced to me by a colleague. They said you were a constant barker and was headed to a shelter. I saw you and fell in love with you. Your red coat, green eyes, pink nose and “quiet whispering” on our way home gained my heart. You became part of our family the Summer after moving into our first home. You were going home with me on a trial base but after a few days we knew you were a keeper.

You and Max had a little altercation on the first days but eventually became inseparable buddies. You had a different personality. Max was gentle, quiet and layback and you were always the outspoken one and non trusting. You loved to hear your own sound and was constantly barking. You were so afraid of males. I only wondered if you had been abused by males before we rescued you. I remember it would take Reg a long time to get you from under the bed to give you a treat before heading to work.

Snoopy, you were so mischievous! For some reason, people thought you were the friendliest of the two and always approached you first. Little did they know you would reach out in the most sweetest way, would begin to kindly sniff and then take a bite. I still remember laying in bed playing with you, putting my nose on yours to show affection and suddenly felt your entire mouth covering my nose. Boy did I cry that night! How could you try to bite me after I had rescued you. Your territorial attitude never went unnoticed. The whole pack knew to leave you alone except Max. You and Max were the only ones to be able to sleep in the same area and sometimes cuddle with each other. I know you had a special bond.

You were not a morning person. You would always be so grouchy. No matter how you felt, you never said no to treats and food. Peanut butter was your favorite. You would lick the Kong toy until there was no tomorrow or your tongue was tired. You loved apples, blue berries, gerbers, and your meal preps (rice, chicken and veggies). You woke us up early in the morning like clock work to get your breakfast. You would be the first to run fast out the bedroom door to get to your bowl. God forbid that it was not ready, because you would bark until you got your food. Arthritis & body tumors did not stop you. You managed to still lead the pack until the end.

During car rides and long trips you always managed to make your way to the front seat of the car. You would end up taking my travel pillow as your bed and my blanket as yours. I think you knew you would get first dibs on the food treats. You loved to ride with the window down and smell the outside. You were so smart that you would recognize when we were closer to home just by looking out the window. At the office, you hated to be left alone so when possible I would carry you inside my bag pack while I worked. They say every dog chooses an owner and you gravitated towards Reggie. You were so happy every time he walked through the door. I have to say I was a bit jealous but I knew you were closer to him.

The toughest part is to have seen you get older, be in pain, gotten weaker and skinnier. You experienced a seizure the night before your departure. The following morning we took you to the vet and ran some bloodwork. We knew the end was near. The vet said you had kidney failure, anemic, and muscle mass loss. The seizure did not help either because you had become weaker and more disoriented. We had to helped you every step and held you as you did your potty breaks outside. We had to make the tough choice to let you go. We spent the whole day with you- loving you, hugging you, crying with you and just holding you. Only those that have experienced these moments can relate to the sadness, and deep pain we go through. We were in the room holding you as you took your last breath. We could not leave you alone. Coming home without you was tough. We left in the morning thinking you would get antibiotics and keep galloping in the house and backyard. Little did we know, we would be coming home feeling sad because the rest of the pack did not get you say goodbye to you. Maybe you all did when we were not looking and in your own language. We feel blessed that you chose us as your pawrents and gave us so much love. We know you and Max are not alone because you have each other in heaven. I know we will see each other again one day.

We will always remember you Snoppy, Noopy, Snoops, Flaco, Grouchy Boy like we would call you. Thank you for coming into our lives and sharing your unconditional love for 20 years.

“I’ll hold you in my heart until I can hold you in heaven.”