John MerlineWe normally don’t use this space for personal announcements. That isn’t the purpose or mission of Issues & Insights. But, since we answer to no one but ourselves, we can break our own rules.
On Saturday, our family lost our 12-year-old Beagle, Rocky, to cancer. We didn’t even know he had cancer until a week before.
After a recent move, we’d taken Rocky to a new vet for a wellness check and mentioned that his eating habits had recently changed. Instead of his normal voracious appetite – so voracious that we had to buy a dish designed to slow down eating – he would occasionally turn his nose up at the food. We figured he was just getting old and cranky and picky, but the vet suggested blood work and X-rays.
When she saw a mass in his abdomen, she recommended getting an ultrasound at the nearby animal hospital. That was on Tuesday morning, May 5. By that evening, we learned Rocky had “multiple masses in his abdomen” and “a mass on the right side of his heart.”
The vet’s careful attention to detail was a blessing. Knowing that time was short, we took every opportunity to appreciate this wonderful creature, who was still showing no obvious signs of distress. In fact, last Friday evening, the 15th of May, Rocky was doing his usual enthusiastic sniffing around, engaging with other dogs, wagging his tail at passersby who, invariably, ooohed and aaahed over him. We thought we had months to go.
The next morning, Rocky hopped off the bed and went to the front door to go out, as per usual.
And collapsed.
The tumor on his heart had burst, filling his pericardium with blood and fluid, causing his heart to race and his blood pressure to plunge. The hospital drained the fluid, but he was now in obvious distress as the sack refilled. That night, with family members gathered around, we said goodbye.
We lost our first Beagle, Rusty, 12 years ago, also to cancer, but losing Rocky this way was especially painful. Not only was he a delight to us, he brought smiles to the faces of people on the street. They would regularly stop to say how cute he was. They’d ask to pet him. Even if they said nothing, you could see their faces light up when they looked down. We often thought that this was a special and precious gift of Rocky’s – the ability to brighten the day of random strangers.
But his loss is more painful still, because Rocky was the last direct connection we had to a dear love (pictured at the right) who had passed away – also suddenly, and with no warning – six years before. Kimberly specifically wanted a tri-color Beagle. She found the best breeder in the northeast. She arranged everything. Kimberly adored Rocky, and he, in turn, loved her in the way only a dog can love someone. Losing Rocky so suddenly was like losing another part of her.
We share this not just to mark the sad occasion, but to offer up our grief as a prayer for all those facing the loss of a loved one. We pray that you will take comfort knowing that, as Psalm 34 tells us, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.”
We offer it as a reminder that there is far more to life than politics and policy, pettiness and division. Take a moment to appreciate what you have around you. Because it could be gone in a flash.
And we will take this opportunity to remind anyone who would experiment on beagles that there is a special place in hell reserved for you.
I & I Editorial Board
Ode To A Beagle Named RockyMy sincerest condolences. It is always hard to lose the furry members of our family. — Steve
John,
Our beloved pets are not our species, but they are part of our family.
Our Beagle was named Tessie. She was loved by all the neighbors who walked our neighborhood. She loved to sit on the front grass and watch everyone go by. Even the UPS driver would stop to pet her. People we didn’t even know knew her name.
Get another….we all think we had the best dog when they pass and will have a tough time recovering…truth is that they are all special..they help us…my last one..before my current baby…destroyed me he passed…only after getting a new pup did I fully recover….good luck
They are our four legged children. In my 70 years God has granted me,I have had so many … I truly believe I will see them all again..
Sending Prayers
Rob_NC
It is Pres. Trump who put an end to experimenting on Beagles.
Sadly, it’s not over yet. I wish they would use AI and computer models to solve problems instead of using innocent animals for testing. Some things DO need to be tested on animals (drugs for dogs, for example), but the testing and keeping of these animals needs to be humane, something that isn’t often considered.
Our condolences. We have lost several dogs over the years, each one special in their own way and each passing before we were ready. I think losing a pet is worse than losing a person sometimes. God comfort your hearts.
Love is love-no matter the species. I’m truly sorry about your loss, Mr. Merline. May Rocky rest in peace.
I have heard it said that when a beloved pet dies the spirit moves on. The story goes that when the grieving go to find another pet one of the animals will bound forward as if they already knew the humans. May you find that peace.
Dear John, we feel your pain. We lost our 11 year old Pom Reilly four years ago in similar fashion. One day he was chasing cars along the top of our retaining wall., the next we found him comatose in his bed. Vet said most of his internals were shutting down. We were devastated, to say the least. He was always so active. His nickname was Flash for his love of agility training. I stop and talk with him every time I pass his grave as I mow the lawn. We now have two new Poms and love them to death but there will never be another Reilly. Cherish his memory and get another love bug.
My heart bleeds for you. If you’ve never read Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “The Power of the Dog,” read it now. Lots of us have been in your shoes and I know it really, really hurts.
Take some time and then get yourself another doggo. Yeah, I know you’re opening yourself up to the same kind of ache, and it’s not the same dog, but so many dogs need homes that someone like you who loves them shouldn’t be denying one of those homeless waifs the blessing of living with you.
Thanks for that good advice!
Feeling so sad for you as I sit and look at my sleeping girl who is “sixteen going on seventeen” and the fur is looking moth eaten and the appetite is diminishing and I know I’m where it’s heading. It’s happened before, many times, but it never gets easier.
You wrote: “And we will take this opportunity to remind anyone who would experiment on beagles that there is a special place in hell reserved for you.” That is but the tip of the iceberg so will it be the worst of Dante’s circles of hell?
Bless your hearts as you ride the waves.
Lovely ode to a true friend and companion. The photos are great too.