Dear Squirt,
Thank you for giving it your all, and then some! You were an amazing friend! This past couple of months I was with you almost every hour of the day and night. Under the circumstances, it was a pleasure to spend this time together. Even though your once muscular body had withered away to almost nothing, your heart, brain, and your smile were as strong as could be.
Here you are on your warm bed with “Nurse Penny” keeping you company. Bertie-Bert is keeping a close eye on you. It was nice to see you smiling on your bed each day, and I especially liked it when we moved your bed into the sunny window in the morning and took naps together. That felt great!
It was very hard to see you struggling this past couple of weeks though. Your once strong body had shrunk to skin and bone, and yet you tried with all your might to be part of the pack, even playing with Penny and Berton when you could. I laughed when you stole Pen-Pal’s bone the other day. Good job, Squirt!
The last couple of days though I could see you were trying with all your might and having too much trouble. I could tell you were sad and frustrated. Being a super agile Vizsla like yourself and then not being able to move, it is understandable you were sad. Penny really did her best trying to help you when you fell, making sure you always comfortable and keeping you warm.
Here you guys are staying warm by the woodstove. Notice how Penny is hogging all the heat 🙂
It was very difficult to say goodbye this morning. You were of course smiling and being the perfect gentleman when Judith and Chiqueeta came by from the veterinarian clinic to help you enter into your eternal dream. We patted you and held you for a long time after you went to sleep. I hope you felt Penny kissing you and nuzzling your face and eyes.
As you and I discussed, Penny and Berton will really miss you. You know how Penny can “talk”, well tonight she is your bed and she is crying out loud, not her usual moan, but something I have never heard before. She has been looking for you all day and sitting by your resting spot. Tonight she even asked to go into the laundry room to see if you were finished with your dinner and help you clean your bowl. I am worried about her. This transition will be hard for a while, I am afraid.
Here is one of our walks along the river where somebody is going nuts…I like this photo as it shows how happy you, Berton, and Penny were together.
Berton has been sad and depressed all day. He is the last one left of the famous Vizsla trio, Vizzy, Berton, and you, Squirt. I want to stay super close to Berton now. Remember that sad movie we watched, “Where the Red Fern Grows”? Yes, I worry about this with Bertie-Bert. Think of how many years you two have been together. Isn’t Berton the most mellow and easy going guy? Berton laid next to you this morning and I could tell he was sending you his love and thanking you for everything. You were so good to him.
This memory is forever with me Squirt, we had so much fun together. You three guys were an awesome team of fun!
As we talked about last night, Meghan, John, and Ashley sent you their love and a nice big hug and kiss. Meghan wrote a very nice tribute to you today. She adored you (I can see why!). Off all the Vizslas that Meghan has fostered and rescued, she told me you were a super special Vizsla. The Vizsla community is reading Meghan’s tribute to you tonight and everyone loves you, and Meghan for all she does. If it were not for Meghan, we would not have shared our lives together, my friend.
Meghan recently lost Nellie, and John lost Riley. Meghan’s parrots still call out your name “Squirty”. We are all praying that you meet up with Vizzy, Nellie, and Riley on the Rainbow Bridge. I will be dreaming of you reuniting with your old friends and playing together. Please remember to keep an eye out in the distant future for the rest of us. Man, that will be so awesome to see you come running up with your famous smile and big soft ears.
You know how often we have rainbows here in Nambé! Each time I see one I am going to smile up to you and Vizzy. Keep an eye out for me, please.
Squirt, I can’t wait until rainbow season!
Well, my friend, I hope you are dreaming now and running in green grassy fields. We are all exhausted tonight and there is a big hole, I feel like a zombie at the moment. Don’t worry, I will stay extra close to Penny and Berton and make sure they are snuggled closely.
Today I started to make plans for a beautiful stone bench and memorial to you in your resting spot. I want to design it so that Berton and Penny sleep in the sun on a nice stone bench next to you. I think all three of you will enjoy that. I have to wait for the ground to thaw first, however, I will not forget and I look forward to talking with you at your spot.
I know that I tell you that you are an amazing pup. I hope you know that I really mean that. In these last struggling weeks together what you really taught me is how to keep your heart open no matter how hard the circumstances. That makes sense, since an open heart always helps, no matter what. Thank you for teaching me that!
Sleep well my friend, I am right here, and thinking warm thoughts about you.
All My Love, Squirt!
Ed
PS: I re-used some of your photos in this article, from my earlier letter to you, people really liked seeing your smile in those.
You were lucky to have Nurse Penny be such a great friend Squirt. If possible, please let her know you are alright, and I will do my best to console her. She misses you terribly right now.
Look at how beautiful you are! You were a perfect gentleman too!
Squirt, you know how much I love rainbows. I will be looking for you and your wonderful smile!
“Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….”
— Author unknown
Follow In Light of Nature
Rainbow with supernumerary bows and anti-crepuscular rays , New Mexico
(c) Ed MacKerrow / In Light of Nature, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Ed,
You and Squirt have been on my mind this week. Now I know why.
Peace & Comfort until you see him again! ♡
Beth
My heart breaks for you!? What a beautiful tribute to an amazing boy!❤ Know you are in my thoughts & prayers! Xoxo
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful dog. I never meet you Squirt but Meghan talked about you. Rest In Peace you were very well loved.
Such a beautiful memory! Hugs and prayers to you all.
Such a beautiful tribute and beautiful photos. Love and hugs to you.
There is no greater love than the love an old dog. ❤️ May you find comfort in his memories, the Vizsla community and your dogs. Sending you a hug tonight for your loss.