Musings by OZ

 15 years ago in Nambe New Mexico on a cold snowy day a neighbor boy knocked on our door. He told us that his family found a puppy in the snow by the side of the road. He opened his hands to show us a little furry wriggling, whining fur ball. Getting a puppy was not on our radar at the time, there was no way we were going to take this puppy……you gave us no option…it was love at first sight.

For 7 years you roamed the lands of Nambe New Mexico with your older brother Bodhi by your side.

You would be gone for hours at a time only returning when you had your fill of adventure. We irrigated our property using a series of dirt ditches that are called Acequias. You and  I would walk to the mother ditch, the main ditch behind our property and let loose the torrent of water that would soak our land. The second that water hit the ditch you would run up and down that ditch chasing sticks and leaves, pretty much anything that floated by was fair game for the Shpongler. While I was working for hours you were right there by my side wreaking havoc on anything that vaguely resembled a stick, loving and living life to the best of your ability. You would come running to the door after a day of playing totally soaked and covered in the flotsam and jetsam of the ancient Acequia. You looked like some kind of little wet forest creature……I fondly remember the look of joy on your face. 

In the winter you would play in the snow, bounding in and out with reckless abandon.  

You tried to make friends with every skunk you saw…..again and again….and again………

You were a huge pain in the ass as a puppy but I loved every second of it. 

We took you kayaking and you would sit in your custom Shpongle basket in the stern of the kayak protecting us from the sea monsters as a good captain should. 

You were a celebrity in Venice Beach. Sitting like a king in your bike basket. The locals would always say hello and give you scritchins. They had no idea what my name was but they certainly knew the Shpongle.

You came to work in my cabinet shop in Santa Fe NM as well as Gardena CA.  You alway let me know when it was time to take a break, you would pick up a piece of scrap wood and run around me in circles until I took the time to play with you. You were the best shop dog…….

 You played in the mountains of New Mexico and California. You loved the beaches in Southern CA.  We had so many adventures together, so much fun, so much love. You gave us a life time of love in the 15 years you were on this planet. 

You knew I had cancer before I knew. One day you lay on my chest with your nose pointed toward my armpit. You continued to do this until I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. You knew that the lymph nodes under my arm were swollen and infected with blood cancer and in your own way you were trying to tell me this. When I was going through my chemotherapy treatment you were right by my side. For the 6 months of treatment you were always close offering support, snuggles and kisses.  Your warm body snuggled up to me and gave me comfort and strength. You motivated me to get out of bed to take you for walks, all I wanted to do was sleep but you helped me get the much needed exercise and fresh air that I needed. 

While we lived in Warsaw Poland exploring central Europe you were having your own adventure. The time you spent with Anthony and his pack of dogs, 12 or so, was a wonderful adventure for you. We are so thankful that you were able to run around with the pack, these were good dog days for the Shpongle!

When you returned to us after running with the pack you had aged, you were deaf and flirting with blindness. You were an old man, we knew your time was limited. We got you back and moved to the mountains of Northern California where we went on walks in the forest and to the lake. We knew our time with you was coming to an end. It’s only been a couple of months since we picked you up from the pack man, I thought you had more time.

As these final weeks passed we could see it in your eyes, your movements and your breathing, time was limited.

We packed as much love for you in these past couple of months as we could. You were old, tired, deaf and blind yet when I returned home after a long day of work you would always get up and greet me. 

Each week you slowed down a bit more, I thought you had more time……..you didn’t.

Your life on this planet has come to an end and my heart is broken.

I know you had a wonderful life of love and adventure but it just wasn’t long enough. 

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We knew it was time, the pain was obvious and it was time for you to find relief.

We gave you the best breakfast on that final day….bacon, lots and lots of yummy bacon!

We sat with you in the vets office, we could see the relief in your eyes as the pain killer kicked in, you were pain free and feeling groovy. 

I will never forget your little pink tongue as it popped out between your lips as you began to succumb to the drugs.  As much as it hurt us it relieved you, it was time. 

I am both devastated and relieved. I am  relieved that you no longer suffer, I am devastated that you are no longer a part of our lives.

You were the best dog, you were the best friend. 

You  will always have a place in my heart.

I still hear your toenails clicking on on the hardwood floor as you explore the house as we were sleeping. 

I am sitting in the chemo room once again receiving treatment, I am weeping as I write this……if only you were waiting at home to comfort me once again. 

For such a little guy you were such a huge presence in our lives.

Rest in peace Mr Shpongle my furry friend, rest in peace.