TheChekhov
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Bartimaeus
🕑 Added 2020-06-09 07:55:15 +0000 UTCContent Warning: death of a pet
I know I usually don't do this, but I need to write it down.
Before immigrating to America, I grew up with a dog always nearby. After my mom and I moved, throughout my teenage years I begged my stepfather to consider getting a dog. I wrote him REPORTS on why a dog is a good thing. I literally printed out dog breed profiles from the AKC website trying to convince him - and he continuously said no. (We were not well off - we did not have a yard of our own - and he refused on grounds that if something were to happen, we couldn't cover the vet.)
Then, when I was 15 and had long given up on my conquest, it was abruptly decided that we were driving 3 hours away to another state to meet a friend of his. When we arrived - an empty parking lot in the middle of nowhere - a lady got out of a nearby car, marched over, and handed me a puppy.
Bartimaeus (yes, I took the name from Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy and no, he never did grow into that name, though some comparisons could be drawn) was a Boston Terrier. It was not a breed I was familiar with, nor one of the ones I had petitioned for my stepfather to get... but anyone who owns a dog knows that's not how it works. When you look at your furry best friend, you don't see breeds. You see love, and goofy moments, and a thousand memories that drown you in so much joy you are convinced for a brief moment that nothing can change it.
I have no delusions about the brevity of life. But when something ends, it always leaves you wanting.
I wish I had spent more time with him. For the last 6 years, while living in Japan, I only had the chance to see him once on my trip back to the states. He was in excellent shape for an 11 year old dog - spry and seemingly unchanging, with hardly even the hint of greying hair typical of dogs his age. I was convinced that I would still have more time to see him again.
Bartimaeus had an excellent and full life. He was a strange dog - and the best dogs always are.
He loved vegetables of all types - but especially celery, which for some reason drove him into a state of ravenous hunger.
Without much training at all, he had excellent recall. I could take him out on long hikes in the forest and let him off leash, allowing him to disappear into the waist-tall grass and knowing - unerringly - that as soon as I whistled he would come bouncing back to me in seconds.
He loved baths. Loved them too much, perhaps. One winter holiday, when I had to bring my cat with me to house-sit for my parents, he became so frightened of her hissing that he escaped into the bathroom and climbed into the bathtub with me while I was showering - just to escape her wrath. Do you know how strange it is to take a shower with a dog shivering nervously between your legs but refusing to get out because there's an angry cat just outside the curtain?
He passed peacefully. I know his life was good. He had celery and baths aplenty, and the amount of angry cats in his life was minimal.
I'll miss him though. And I hope he remembered me enough to miss me too. Just a little bit.
Rest in peace, stinky sweet potato.
Comments
UmbraRyder
We had to put down our puggle, Cookie at the end of February. She was in the end stages of cancer she wagged her tail till the very end. I miss her and her hugs so much.
Emma Loops
I'm so sorry for your loss. I recently lost my cat Jasper who was my friend for 11 years. Reading this made me think about him. Happy and sad tears. Hope you get to mourn and heal in your own time ❤
Rebecca Gerardy
Oh this is heartbreaking. As someone who's been through this a few times, I totally understand your feelings and my heart goes out to you. I'm glad you have so many happy memories with Bartimaeus.
Max Peters (nearlynoon)
rest in power Bartimaeus, and Chekhov, I am so sorry for your loss. No deaths ever hit in quite an uncomplicated (and therefore purely painful) way as losing a pet. You have my deepest sympathies. <3
Zinchrome
Sorry for your loss.
Just know that potato is always gonna be by your side watching over ya, and if you need anything just give us the word.
Cassidy Quill Waters
At the beginning of the year, my family had to put my 16 year old cat Liger to sleep. The cancer he was fighting won sadly, despite a year long battle. I'm sure your furbaby remembered you. Take care of yourself while you grieve. My heart is with you.
Niccolo
I have an 11 year old rat terrier. She's still with me, but years back, we lost her mentor: a corgi mix. I was away at university; it hurt so much that I didn't get to say goodbye. My heart goes out to you, regardless of circumstances it's never easy to lose your puppy. I have no doubt he remembered you. I have no doubt he missed you. I have no doubt he loved you.
Fern with Googley Eyes
I had to do the same thing to get my first dog (although coming home to a rat terrier puppy was more of a result of the divorce and one parent trying to spite the other). I too had to leave (for college away from a bad home). The few times I went back, even years apart, my doge remembered me. I've seen dogs grapple with loss and complex problems. I have no doubt your little sweet potato enjoyed his time with you and he missed you when you were in Japan, a room over, or the street down. Dogs are lovely like that. They love so fiercely. My condolences for your loss and my happiness for your squiggle who found a good home and was loved.
Lopson
Sorry for your loss.
I'm so sorry dude. It hurts so much to see them go, but try to remember all the happiness you gave them. And the happiness that they gave you.
GreyDae
I understand the loss of a pet, I’m sorry for your tiny compadre.
Keiko Vance
My condolences
