Our cherished little “angel of love” JOSH (Cairn & Westie mix) sadly passed away on Sunday, March 6th, 2011 at 5:45 PM with his Daddy Kevin and Daddy Rudi beside him at Fraser Animal Hospital in Surrey, British Columbia. He was born Monday, September 11th, 1995 in the Houston, British Columbia area where he lived with a wonderful elderly lady named Ana Brown until approximately age seven when her health began to fail. Ana decided to let Jackie Emard with the Terrier Rescue of British Columbia in Vancouver find a loving new home for little Josh in August 2002.
We found Josh the following month of September 2002 via the Petfinder.com website at Jackie’s Terrier Rescue of BC. We immediately fell in love with his description of “what a gentleman this little pooch is!” and went to meet with our new little boy. He was in Jackie’s backyard snuggled in the grass with his little nose between his front paws. He didn’t look exactly thrilled that little puppies were running around and jumping all around him. On meeting us, Jackie asked if we’d like to take him for a walk on his leash. I’ll never forget how he would walk ahead of us and then turn around to see if we were keeping up with him and okay. This was a taste of the unconditional love and compassion this little man had for others we were to discover. On returning, he jumped up into Rudi’s lap and fell asleep as we signed the adoption papers for our new little boy to begin his life with us…at seven years of age.
He settled with such ease into our West End condo in Vancouver and seemed to love the neighborhood sights and smells, especially Stanley Park. The long walks throughout the park on a variety of trails hold many special memories. Visions of Joshy riding the big red antique fire engine by the children’s playground; waiting patiently as we would ask him to while we walked feet away and crouched down arms outstretched to “come”. His wild abandon and how happy he was to run into our arms when he was given the “go” was a sight to behold. Such a warm wonderful feeling he gifted us with.
A creature of habit, he loved routine. We loved to play “bum bum bush” when out walking by a bush. Josh would love to go in and stick his little backside into the bush and “dance” his little back legs, rubbing his bum back and forth while we sang “bum bum bush”. Hilarious! Coming in from the rain, Joshy would wait patiently without fail, knowing he would get a towel down and his paws wiped before he was to proceed into the house. He always knew desert followed his dinner and would sit and stare at you, knowing it was time for his minty Breathbuster cookies…or even an occasional mini ice cream cone.
The most silent little man, Josh rarely ever barked or growled. Literally you could count on one hand how many times he was vocal if another dog tried to mount him. He was incredibly accommodating and got along with absolutely everyone that crossed his path ….human, canine, and even feline. God bless the kitty cats and Josh was curious and pleasant if kitty was of even temperament. But if kitty dashed, Josh said “game on” and was off like a shot giving chase but would never corner or fight them. It was the “thrill of the chase” for this little gentleman.
In May 2003, Josh met his new “brother from another mother” JAKE, a West Highland Terrier after a car ride down to Washington state’s Westie Rescue. (You can read more about dearly departed Jake and his journey with Josh here at http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/personaltribute.php?ID=72368)
Josh’s easy going nature was instrumental in “allowing us” to adopt Jake and bring him into our family. His love seemed to know no bounds. The memories of Jake having health problems and little Josh with his head next to him as if to say “it’s okay…I’m here with you” was one of many reasons Josh left an indelible paw print on every person’s heart his life touched.
Losing his little partner Jake in May 2008, Josh was steadfast in his love and devotion to us all. He seemed to understand the sadness of Jake’s loss and his millions of kisses and consistent attentiveness was irreplaceable. It was almost like Josh had a mission in life to spread love, understanding, and compassion. Lover would be a perfect description for Josh.
Ironically, Josh’s heart was, in fact, too big for his body. The vet had diagnosed a heart condition in Josh that made his little heart 40% larger then normal and required much medication. However, that extra 40% meant Josh gave just that much more love out to us and the world. We were truly, truly blessed by this little angel of love on earth being placed with us.
Joshy absolutely loved his little car rides and was so happy with his paws up in the back seat on the arm rest, looking out the window. The moment the car slowed down or stopped, down would come the window and Joshy would pop up to hang his head out and sniff for “the world”. His little nose and big erect ears signaled just how much smell and sound influenced his life. His big brown doe eyes also an indication and a teaching to us all that God gave us two eyes, two ears and one mouth for a reason; watch and listen twice as much as you say. And Josh’s silence spoke volumes.
Food lover extraordinaire, Josh’s little face poking around the corner of the kitchen when he heard a bag or can being opened as if to say “What we eating Dad?” will always stay with us.
It is said that “touching souls” can mean many things. In all religions, it often refers to a spiritual experience in which you experience a higher power literally transforming your outlook, your sense of reality and your perception of the world by having your soul “touched” by God, an angel, or other spiritual entity. In relationships, it can refer to your soulmate connection with another. Josh WAS that angel and soulmate who touched our soul and transformed our sense of reality and perception of the world in ways that I don’t even think we have come to realize yet. Perhaps there is great truth in DOG is GOD spelled backwards. It is without question that Josh was some form of divine being brought to us on this earth to instill that spiritual experience and love unto us. We were truly blessed by this amazing little man’s presence.
We are heartbroken that our little angel was called back up to heaven but understand that his time on earth was not infinite. We cannot thank you enough Joshy for the unconditional, devoted, unwavering love that you surrounded us all in as you stood by us daily. We can only hope we, too, enriched your life and allowed you to blossom and shine as you allowed us to do. You will never, ever be forgotten wonderful little man. We can only hope and dream that one day we will be reunited in that special place; the feel of your warm little kisses and soft little paws in our hands…..infinite.
Love you forever Lovey Bear. Miss you every day.
| Josh |
| 6, Mar 2011 |
| Kevin, Rudi, & Michael |