The Big Boy Howie passed away on February 22 2002.
It was the most painful day of my life.
We bought Howie when he was a puppy and decided on a
Gordon Setter because they are the greatest with kids and we were
planning on having many kids.
Several years after Howie came to live with us I found out I
could not have biological children and he provided me much
comfort while I was recovering from infertility.
I would cry for hours in his fur and he never asked
for much in return…….
Howie was a giver not a taker.
He was our child for 12 years and did everything with us.
We operated paper routes and he went with us and sat in the back
of the truck on all the rolled papers and bundles-what
a paper dog he was!
He loved ice cream kids sleeping (specials) doggie dinners,
Lovie-our cat and Dottie our Gordon from a rescue shelter sunny days
snowy days swimming pools flowers wrapping paper rolls
loafs & loafs of bread birds (always caught them but never hurt them)
taking me to work walks-runs going to the park sleeping next to us,
giving kisses and most of all he loved his Daddy!
We knew it was time to have Howie put to sleep.
He was a big boy 117 lbs. and couldn’t hardly get up off the floor
and his liver was badly enlarged.
So we took him to McDonalds and shared 2 cheeseburgers
with him and than went to the Vet.
We stayed until the end because we just couldn’t leave Big Howie
by himself there scared.
My husband and I laid on the floor beside him and I held his
fuzzy huge muzzle in my hands and looked straight into his
eyes and told him I loved him and he was the best-
He died staring right back at me taking my smells in one last time.
I wanted to yell STOP and take him right home but I had to do
what was best for Howie.
My husband wouldn’t leave until he was assured that they would
take care of Howie right away and leaving without him was hard.
We came home and put Howie’s collar in our display case
with his jewelry “Bestest Dog”.
I notified my adoption support group and to my amazement I received
letters and pictures of other folks dogs and condolences from
all over the country.
What a wonderful tribute to Howie.
I regret that Howie will never meet or play with our son Sammy
who is coming to us from Guatemala but I know that
Howie’s nephew “Scrappy” will !
Scrappy is a 6 1/2 yr. old rescued Gordon who has been hit by a
car and needs lots of TLC!
Howie would have wanted us to help and love another Big Boy-
Thank you for opening my heart Howie and through your death you
have opened my heart and healed so many of my hurts.
We’ll go on without Howie for awhile but he’ll always be in our
hearts and home and when we meet again I just know
that he’ll be waiting to cross Rainbow Bridge with me!
He truly was the BESTEST DOG.
We’ll see you soon Howie and will always love you
and thank you.
Your Mommy and Daddy
| Big Howie |
| Karen and Mike Reeves |