Monday, November 4, 2013

Ipso Fido

johnnyoptimism, johnny optimism, evangelist, heaven, dogs, maggie, stilton jarlsberg

Readers- No politics today. On Saturday, we lost our beloved dog Maggie (named after Dame Thatcher) after a long battle with heart disease.

She was a stray who adopted us, gave us 10 puppies only days later (all of whom were adopted into good homes), and who gave us many years of love and happiness.

She is missed tremendously...and if she is in Heaven, things have just gotten a lot noisier for any angels who arrived in the Hereafter still wearing their Earthly UPS uniforms. -Stilton

johnnyoptimism, johnny optimism, evangelist, heaven, dogs, maggie, stilton jarlsberg, st. peter's gate
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Actual picture of Maggie guarding the Pearly Gates

39 comments:

Duke Mantee said...

Sorry to hear about Maggie.

SusieBee said...

Since the Bible tells us that in heaven, the lion will lie down with the lamb, and a little child will lead them, why wouldn't Maggie be there with the other animals? Having served her master well on earth, I imagine she's enjoying her reward right now. No more sorrow, no more pain - and no need for politicians.

Grumpy Curmudgeon said...

@Stilton: Like you, we lost 'Squiz', a 12Lb terrapoo mix, about a month ago after a 3 year battle with heart disease. He adopted us out of a shelter 17 years ago, and what he lacked in size he made up for in heart. We had a 45lb Sheltie, and Randy's favorite method for 'getting his' was to jump onto the bed and leap onto the back of Shadow, thoroughly terrorizing the poor animal. We won't talk of UPS drivers, Squiz's attitude was that UPS driver feared him (never did figure out what he would do with one when he caught him).

For those of us who truly believe, there is:

Piddler's Green

With grateful thanks to John Donovan at Castle Aggghhh!

Anonymous said...

My thoughts are with you . . . Maggie surely crossed the Rainbow Bridge and will wait for her companions to join her . . . I know what it's like having lost three rescue companions myself . . . I am so sorry to hear this news . . .

Grumpy Curmudgeon said...

@Stilton:

Read Sheltie, and Squiz's favorite method for 'getting his' for

Sheltie, and Randy's favorite method for 'getting his'

...had some water in my eyes...

Earl Allison said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. It's never easy to lose that kind of unconditional love, and that's what pets give us.

God Bless.

FlyBoy said...

"When I die, I want to go where the dogs are." -(supposedly) attributed to Mark Twain

Moms Musings said...

So sorry about your loss.

idahobob said...

Sorry for you loss Stilt.

I lost my travel partner a couple of years ago. I still expect to see her comin' around the corner of the house.

I still cannot bring myself to getting another one yet.

I'm sure that our dogs are in Heaven!

Bob
III

John the Econ said...

Years ago, a recently departed friend appeared to another friend and left this simple message: "I understand now. It's all about love."

Although many in the behavioral science community insist that this is not so, anyone who has bonded with a dog knows without any doubt that they do indeed "love".

Knowing these two things, I believe that any being capable of "love" does indeed get into heaven. I'm pretty certain Maggie is well, and is patiently waiting for you.

It's No Gouda said...

Stilton: So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved and loving pet. She will be waiting on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge whenever (not soon, we hope!) you get there.

CenTexTim said...

I know what you're going through. We've been there.

Thoughts and prayers to you, your family, and Maggie.

Bruce Bleu said...

Stilton,
Certainly dogs go to Heaven, they LIVE in the fallen world, and experience its ramifications, but they didn't participate in the fall, ergo are not in need of reconciliation to God. If you ever wondered why animals can detect an earthquake, why they seem to have a "second sense" to stimuli... it is my theory that they didn't lose the capacity that man did after the fall. Another hypothesis of mine, dogs are in Heaven because cats go to Hell. (Not really, but I am SOOOO allergic to them on this ball of mud, if I touch one I think I'd RATHER anaphylactic shock.
I don't look forward to the day my little girl (11# Si-Tszu) precedes me to Heaven.

Chuck said...

Sorry for your loss. Like many here, we too have been blessed with that unconditional love that is a dog, and the heartbreak of losing them. It is no coincidence that “dog” is "God" spelled backwards! I've lost 4 faithful companions over the years and was there for the last breath of 3 of them. Our current “foundling” just celebrated her 4th year with us on Friday and she was just a wee-bit of a thing when we got her.

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. ~Author Unknown

RatDog said...

May God comfort you, amigo.

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.” –Anonymous

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all of the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -Anonymous

and the classic:
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” - Will Rogers

JP said...

To quote an online acquaintance of mine who is a fine author:

"To the memory of loyal companions. If there are no dogs in heaven, let me rather go to wherever they are."
- Dave Freer in his dedication at the beginning of Mankind Witch

Unknown said...

Stilt,

So sorry to hear of your loss. I sometimes feel more pain hearing of the loss of an innocent animal than of a human who probably deserved, at least in part, what they had coming to them.

Condolences,

leelu said...

So sorry for your loss.

Dick said...

Aw...
So sorry you lost your good friend. We love our pets so much.

Unknown said...

My condolences. I have had Labs for 36 years. The only cure for thte hole in your heart at their passing is a puppy. THe heal the pain, but do not replace the great dog you lost. You should not lead a life without the unconditional love and joy of a dog.

PRY said...

Aw, that's one of the toughest calls a person can make...but it's usually for the best. Except that you miss her.

SC said...

Like the movie says: "All Dogs go to Heaven" I firmly believe that. Stilt, sorry for your loss. They are a part of our family, it's so very sad when we lose them. Take care.

Sparky said...

It's good to take a break from politics now and then but so sorry it's for this reason. It breaks my heart and brings tears to my eyes that y'all had to suffer this loss. I sure feel for ya. I'm still grieving from losing my precious little Maxie on September 4th. She would have been 15 years old a few weeks ago. HEARTFELT prayers for you and family. I, too, believe they are all in Heaven. Our merciful loving Saviour would not forget any of His creation. God bless dear Stilton and family.
(My Maxie is remembered here: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=116533235 )

bocopro said...

Most genuine empathy and condolences.

Except for boot camp and sea duty, I've always had dogs around me since I was about 2 1/2 years old. So that makes it 70 years' worth of those noble, loyal, useful, entertaining companions.


HATE the loss, but always get another one.

Hang tight.

Stilton Jarlsberg said...

@Dear Friends- So many warm and comforting words, and so many losses that we've all shared. I should write individual responses to each of you but am afraid that my emotions just won't allow it yet. I genuinely grieve for the losses you've had, and am sincerely moved by the comfort and condolences shared with me and my family.

Maggie was a pip, and I've spent the last two days expecting her to peek around the door, beg me for food, or "BARK!" (trust me, that's the way she did it) because she wants me to come out of my office and give her a shoulder rub.

Today, the UPS man delivered something and it was very disorienting not to hear Maggie's alarm sounding. There is nothing quieter or emptier than a house which is suddenly missing its dog.

And now I have to go. The floodgates need attention...

Cookie said...

I, too, send my sympathy. I've lost many a dog in my 60 years. After our last one, I told my hubby no more. I can't take the pain of losing them. They do become part of the family. I've never understood people who won't have a pet. They are missing out on a lot of joy.

And I, too, believe dogs are in heaven. I look forward to reuniting with at least four of them...not to mention a dozen or so cats. And I can't help but wonder if our last dog is still barking at our neighbor (who is now deceased) who used to torment her. Grrrr..... But then, maybe since she was so unkind to Tobie, she (the neighbor) may not be in heaven! Lol!

Take care, SJ.

WMD said...

My condolences also Stilt and Family.

Anonymous said...

Deepest condolences, they really embody the purest values -- trust, love, selflessness. I agree with Mark Twain on this one....

Queso Grande said...

Stilton, my deepest condolences.
I got our Maggie to replace Spike. And got a Sasha in the bargain.
No love like the love from a dog. Absolute, unyielding and eternal.

drjim said...

My deepest condolences, Stilt.

David in SoCal said...

Stilton: My thoughts/prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow. Mrs. SoCal and I had to put down our 11 1/2 year young Yellow Lab just last Wednesday. Our 'Lady' was a loving doofus who would start barking at the UPS truck, 1000 feet before it came up our driveway. I'm sure she has teamed-up with your Maggie, and is make amends with all the 'Brown' drivers in Heaven. Sorry for the loss of your good friend/family member.

Stilton Jarlsberg said...

@David in SoCal- I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Maggie was just a bit younger than Lady, and was a yellow lab mix (she showed up with no papers, no pedigree, and 10 pups eager to make their appearance). I'd like to think that she and Lady are romping together.

Maggie will make a brief appearance in tomorrow's Hope n' Change column so people can get a look at her. Don't worry; it's funny - not maudlin.

Bruce O'Hara said...

My condolences to you and your family on the passing of Maggie, Stilton. They become so much a part of our lives...

Mindless Blather said...

Of course Maggie is in Heaven - scripture supports it. "Animals" have Spirits just as people do but they're not under the "curse of sin" as people are so they all join the Creator in eternity, but without judgement!
What a grand reunion it will be when you see Maggie again along with other Loved Ones who've gone before you.
Meanwhile, she anxiously awaits your arrival, joining her in an eternity of PERFECTION.

Sarah Rolph said...

Very sorry for you loss, Stilt.

May Maggie rest in peace, and may you find solace in your sweet memories of her.

Patricia said...

I am sorry you lost your dog. I hope her memory comforts you.

Red said...

I am saddened by your loss. Last April(2012) I put down (Jager) my handicapped service/PPD. I had to give away his son (Arrow) two months later because he was physically unable to perform heavy work, and this Feb I had to put down a nine month old service dog in training due to a latent birth defect that ensured a life of pain.

It's been an emotionally brutal year, as I travel around town running errands with Krieger. Some ask where Jager's been, some greet my new dog as Jager, others notice it's a different GSD.

Allow yourself to grieve, don't be afraid to cry; it helps end the nightmares, waking up in the middle of the night sobbing uncontrollably and breaking down in public.

I try to be the man my dogs think I am, it helps. When the pain subsides read Kipling's Thy Servant A dog., Oh, and get a GSD.

Stilton Jarlsberg said...

@Red Thomas- With the pain I already feel, I can't imagine three such losses in a short amount of time. You have my deep sympathy, and my appreciation for your kind words.

Buck O'Fama said...

I am very sorry for the loss of your quadraped human. I too had a faithful companion that used to accompany me on jobs and went everywhere, every day.