An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

July 12, 2010

Goodbye, Miss Patsy

We got Miss Patsy right after Otto died, sooner than I thought proper to his memory, but I had been a week without a dog and couldn't tolerate the situation any longer. Her pregnant mother was found in Moyock, NC and was taken to the Animal Assistance League where she delivered her pups. Every single dog in the litter looked different, but I was smitten by Patsy's demure manner and dappled, blue tick coat. Her remarkable coloration inclined me to name her Opal, but my wife preferred my second choice, Miss Patsy in honor of Patsy Cline. Being born where she was (which also was a veterinary and a doggy hotel) gave her a better start in life than many shelter dogs. She was easily house broken, not destructive and seemed to handle being left alone with a mean old cat while us two young marrieds were at work all day.

Patsy 1


Patsy never knew a stranger, and while all the other dogs at the dog park were busy sniffing each other, Patsy would be making the rounds among the humans to see who would return her affections, then move on to someone new. She especially liked the elderly and little children, and much to the concern of young mothers, would make a bee line to see who was sitting in any stroller. She was very good as our son was growing up, never once showing anything other than total tolerance to being pulled at and climbed on. Late in her life she became a therapy dog for kids struggling to read. While they plodded through vowels and consonants, she would sit patiently at their feet listening without judgement.

Patsy Dozes


Patsy was a love sponge and wanted nothing more than to be petted, unless of course you could roll around on the floor with her in a human vs. canine wrestling match. When she was very happy she purred like a feline (perhaps because she was left alone with that mean old cat). As good as she was with humans, dogs and cats - she was ruthless with small furry or feathered things. Diana the Huntress managed to catch birds on the wing, a possum in the back yard, muskrats, and let's not forget squirrels, for as any hound can tell you, once you have had your mouth on squirrel butt you are a changed dog.

Patsy Shut


Always up for adventure, camping, a walk or any trip involving the car, she was a great companion and travelled well. Today she took her last ride and even got to sit up front, looking more at ease then she had in months. It has been difficult to watch her slow decline and even more difficult to know when it was time to let her go. Before leaving for the vet today I was full of second guesses and trepidation, but as the radio came on in the car the first words I heard were:
Glory be to God for dappled things-

This is the first line from a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins titled Pied Beauty. It was being read on a show about poetry on NPR. I was unable to listen to the rest of the poem, being incapable of moving beyond that first line, but knowing that we had made the right decision to let her go.

It is said a dog's year equals 7 of ours, but for me, my life is measured out in dog's years.

32 comments:

  1. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog. I can so relate. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done to say goodbye to a family pet. They are forever etched on your heart and in your memories.

    I needed that cry! God bless

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  2. Miss Patsy, you did good. You took the best care of all your friends, judging by the nice words written about you.

    I think what seems to us as such an unfairly short life span is so densely packed with simple goodness and pure friendship that any more years would be superfluous. (I'm talking about dogs here.) Warm regards to you and the rest of Miss Patsy's family.

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  3. Oh, Miss Patsy, I hardly knew ye. Sail on. Les, you honored her all her life. She was a lucky dog to have you.

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  4. I feel your pain since we too lost our beloved Gigi about five years ago. We haven't acquiered another dog since we still mourn for Gigi.

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  5. Loved too much, gone too soon. What a dear old girl, she was lucky to have your family and your amily was lucky to have her. She is among friends.

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  6. They fill a place in your heart the way only they can. Unfortunately when their time with us is past, the hole is that much harder to fill again. Read "Racing in the Rain" it won't fill the hole but you will smile whenever you think of Miss Patsy and where dogs go after their time with us.

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  7. What a beautiful doggie, sounds like you were blessed to have her in your life, and she to have you, and your family, in hers. I admire your strength and I hope I am able to rise to the same level when the time comes.

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  8. Dear Les,

    I am very sorry about Miss Patsy. It is a very brave thing that we do for our beloved pets ... and we can all tell how much Miss Patsy was loved.

    with tears in my eyes,
    Connie

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  9. Angel wings for sweet Miss Patsy...I feel your ache and remember my chocolate lab Rascal. Maybe they will run together in the clouds...

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  10. Very sorry to hear about Miss Patsy.

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  11. What a beautiful tribute to what I am sure was an amazing life with her. Take care and hold on to great times with Miss Patsy.

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  12. I cry as I type this. I have a 15 year old dachsund/chihuahua that we will be making an appointment to put him down soon, probably in the morning when I pick up Lady. Link is my first dog ever and I've had him since he was a mere 6 weeks old. He went to Germany with us and everything. It is so hard to do this and I just can't imagine it. While I admire you for being strong for Miss Patsy and doing what you had to do, it is making me feel like I am watching Marley and Me all over again:((((( So very sorry for your loss Les.

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  13. Ahh, Les--I'm sorry. Miss Patsy was certainly a gift to you--as you were to her. I do hope she is running free in dog heaven. Your tribute to her is so touching and sweet.

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  14. Helen Yoest @ Gardening With Confidence™July 13, 2010 2:58 AM

    Oh Les, what a beautiful tribute to Miss Patsy.

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  15. Dear Les, I am so sorry for your loss. I can only hope that I am someday as worthy as Miss Patsy of such a lovely eulogy as you offered here. She must have been a wonderful friend and companion.

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  16. So sorry to hear this, Les. Your tribute to Miss Patsy is amazing. May God Bless you and your family.

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  17. Losing a pet is so hard. This is a wonderful tribute Les.

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  18. What a writer you are, Les! I've taken these trips, and could not have written with so much grace so early. Moving.

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  19. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You've made a very loving tribute to her. Our pets have become members of our family and they are much loved.

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  20. Patsy had a wonderful life and sounded like the ideal dog. So good for the both of you that you found each other.

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  21. So sorry to hear about your loss. How lucky you were to have such a delightful companion for all these years.

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  22. We lost our dog 4 years ago and haven't gotten another. Your tribute to sweet Miss Patsy makes me think maybe I could do it all again.

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  23. My heart aches for you Les. What a beautiful dog Miss Patsy was. I lost my 15 yr. old golden retriever, Daisy, 17 months ago and as I read your words and saw your photos I remembered her with tears and smiles.Our animal companions bring a special joy to our lives unlike anything else!

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  24. You and your family have my condolence, Les. Miss Patsy was a good girl who left a lasting impact on many people. I'd like to think she is somewhere chasing those squirrels.

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  25. A loving tribute to Miss Patsy. You have the soul of a poet, Les. Hopkins' response to the natural world is, I think, similar to what many gardeners feel in their bodies, a kind of physical, muscular body response to beauty in nature and the garden world.

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  26. A love sponge! That should be the epitaph on her tombstone. I hope you plant a dappled plant or tree somewhere in your garden to remember her by. I hope you name the plant/tree Miss Patsy.
    Thanks for sharing your lovely tribute to a friend and companion.

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  27. Les, I am so very sorry...What a difficult but loving decision your family had to make. I wish you peace and gentleness as you grieve your loss of your dear friend. gail

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  28. Oh, these wonderful dogs.

    I am sorry.

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  29. Patsy was one lucky dog to have found you . . . beautiful post, Les . . .

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  30. Thank you everyone for your comments and thoughts. I really appreciate them.

    Les

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  31. It is so difficult to lose a friend like Patsy. My Tucker is now twelve and we decided he needed a grandchild so now Cooper is here. Tucker is not amused but I have high hopes they will become inseparable. Dogs really get under your skin with their pure love.

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  32. I am sorry for your loss. What a beautiful post. All of us Dog/Cat lovers feel your pain.

    Jay

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