On January 31, 2008,
I said goodbye to my little soldier–Joey.
It was testimony to her nature–feisty and loyal to the end, that she fought such a lengthy battle with cancer (of the mammary gland).
Joey was an individual to say the least. To family and friends that have spent any meaningful amount of time with her, I’m sure you’ll agree, she was always on guard. But the one constant that was pure and innocent was that she would do anything in order to be by my side. How can you lay fault on a companion that demonstrated such blind love?
I was not Joey’s first owner–she was initially owned by a couple in Toronto–but due to her behavioral and personality issues, they gave her up for adoption. Joey came into my life when I was working in Toronto at a restaurant. In the middle of one of my shifts, the Restaurant Mgr. approached me and said that I needed to go downstairs into the stock-room and bring up a special order for a customer. I ran down the stairs, flung open the stock-room door, and the package in sight was in the form of a little Lhasa Apso puppy, with her tail wagging and a rolled up note tuck into her collar.
The note said “Please take me home and I will love you forever”. And so we did.
Later, when I attempted a business venture in Key West Florida (which required moving there), I fought very hard to keep Joey and bring her to the Keys with me. My partner at the time said that it impractical, etc. and we should put her up for adoption. That was not an option for me, so I got her papers in order, and organized her medical requirements. Joey came down to Florida with us. Unfortunately, when that opportunity failed, we moved back to Toronto, and eventually I moved back home with my parents in Stoney Creek, where Joey spent 7 wonderful years.
It was here in Stoney Creek, that I feel Joey had the most fulfilling time of her life–access to an enclosed backyard, parks nearby, and Confederation Park (a conservation area), a 5 minute drive away. Joey walked with me almost every day, and I truly cherish our time spent in nature together.
When we eventually sold the family cottage at Stoney Lake, it was Joey who kept me sane–she was always by my side, and had a sixth sense that she really needed to step it up during this painful time. Joey eventually learned to appreciate my parents, and I believe her passing away was truly hard on them. But, thank you Mom and Dad for allowing Joey to live with you in bliss all of those years.
Joey died at 11:21am on Jan. 31, 2008. It was out of compassion that the decision was made to end her life–the cancer had spread into her lungs, and she essentially had little to live for. If it was up to her, she’d have stayed longer, but, the quality of life had been long gone.
We first took her for a final walk in Confederation Park, and said our goodbyes, and Mom, Dad, and myself drove to the vets in Grimsby and had Joey put to sleep.
It was one of the most profound experiences I will ever have, knowing that in the end, Joey had a remarkable life, full of love, the great outdoors, wonderful family (Jacob, Joshua, Tim, Dalia, Adam and Meredith, Mom, Dad, and myself). Joey fell asleep in my arms for one last time and is now the stuff of which stars are made. There is a memorial in my parent’s backyard, and she will be protecting the property forever.
Joey–I hope you visit often in my dreams,
and know that you are loved.
To end, here’s a poem a drafted in November of 2007, when I knew the end was imminent. I believe it captures her spirit succinctly.
MY LITTLE SOLDIER
Like a Soldier at its station,
you are always on guard.
Brave and courageous,
loving you is not hard.
Anyone entering your domain,
must first pass your test.
Friend or foe,
Joey honours only the best.
An example of your strength,
is that you never give up.
Fighting your battles, since you were a pup.
Thanks for being so strong
through times–good and bad.
May you soldier on–
the only dog I’ll ever have.
Michael
November 27, 2007