What follows is my sister’s goodbye email about Irie. Sure, most people only get one obit here at Balloon Juice, but Irie was good enough that he gets two (not to mention I wonder aboutthe concept of heaven for people, but there is no question there is a heaven for pets).
Irie Cole 1992 — 2006 (October 20th, 4:35PM)
Friday we made the hardest decision of our lives, and let Irie gently pass away.
While his mind and appetite were still fairly sharp, Irie had slowly lost the use of his back legs and it had become apparent to everyone (except maybe me at times) that he was no longer thoroughly enjoying his life, and was putting up a brave front to the pain he was experiencing on a daily basis. He had to be assisted to go to the bathrooom, and I had relegated myself to carrying him from room to room, for food, water, .etc. While I would have done this for as long as I had to, it was becoming more and more difficult to see such a vivacious and active dog slowly deteriorate this way. I had to come to terms with what was best for him (and it was not lying around all day, unable to walk, so I could enjoy the pleasure of his company for a few hours a day).
I am completely heartbroken, but I know that in time I will feel better that we made the best possible decision for him, and it was only out of complete love and respect for this little dog I have adored for 15 years, that we did so.
Thank you too all of you who loved Irie and to those who merely tolerated him.
As one of my brother’s friends said- “he’s gone to where the rabbits run slow and straight”. I like to think of him that way. Up there with all of his buddies who left before him, eating pork barbeque, rolling in nastiness and chasing deer and rabbits.
I leave you with a few Irie-isms-
Favorite Food- Plain double Cheeseburgers from McDonalds.
Favorite Trick- “Speak” – I rue the Day Chris taught him this one…
Favorite Treats- Beggin’ strips, well, and pretty much anything else.
Favorite Disgusting habit- Rolling in dead animals until they were embedded so badly in his collar that I had to throw it away.
Favorite Annoying Habit- Barking his head off at campgrounds, the river or any place he felt the urge.
Greatest Talent- Sniffing out any animal within a two mile radius and proceeding to chase it.
Favorite Pastime- Running away for hours on end chasing deer and making his mother sick with worry.The thing I will miss most- cuddling with him. Despite his bad little beagle habits, he was the most gentle dog I have ever known. Babies and children could pull his ears, tail, and “pet” him more firmly than they should, and Irie would calmly and patiently sit until they were finished. I guess most dogs and cats could sense his “sensitive” side because he was always the first one to be picked on in a group of dogs and the last one to fight back. He was ornery, but he was a loveable, wonderful dog, and I will miss his terribly for the rest of my life. I am forever grateful for having the privilege of his company for as long as I did.
Irie- a strong powerful positive feeling. Means everything is alright. Expression of feeling great and cool and also a greeting used instead of “good day”.
I can’t even imagine how much she misses that guy, but I can say this- if E.B. White had met Irie, Charlotte’s web would have read ‘Some Dog.’
Jeff
I feel for your sister….I had a very similar dog (14 year old mix of Lab and Chow) whose hind legs slowly deteriorated to the point that I made the difficut decision to put to sleep just about this time last year. Not a day goes by when he isn’t in my thoughts. Bear was big and stupid, but incredibly happy, and it was really painful to watch his decline. Towards his last days, his hips had stopped responding to the variety of drugs they prescribed to give him comfort, and I was in the pet food aisle intending to pick up a 50lb bag of kibble when a wave of sadness overcame me and I thought “What am I putting him through this for?” I called the vet the next morning who said to bring him in right away. She was great, and even sat on the floor with my wife and I, and the three of us cried as Bear slowly slipped away. I found incredible comfort in seeing him through that final journey, reassuring him that while I would miss him deeply, it was okay to go. A year later, I know that was the right decision. There is a hole in my heart today, but it is slowly filling with memories, and happy anticdotes, usually involving his stupidity. I hope Bear is there to greet Irie and point to the best spots to wait for the rabbits.
Seth
Thanks for making me tear up at work. I’ll miss Irie. He was the sweetest dog I have known. Natalie and I still laugh when we think of him “playing” in the yard. Goodbye Irie.
Dan
John, I don’t post here often but read your blog almost every day. After reading this post and your sister’s letter, I felt I had to write and offer my condolences to you and your sister. I, too, have had to put down two dogs in my life and it’s a heart breaking thing to do.
My heart goes out to your sister. Irie looks exactly like what your sister describes.
Lee
My wife is a vet, she likes this little poem:
To Dog Owners Everywhere: A Dog’s Plea
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend for no heart in all this world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail, when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.
Please take me inside when it is cold and wet for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements.
I ask no greater glory than to have the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with water for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, wiliing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And my friend, when I am old and no longer enjoy good health and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going, I am not having fun.
Please see that my trusting life is taken gently.
I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.
oldfatherwilliam
as an old man who has known and loved many dogs, i can thoroughly empathise with you and your sister. it never gets easier, but it’s always a worthwhile experience. be grateful too that our beloved companions don’t outlive us to be disposed of by whatever means seems appropriate to the likes of Joel.
Krista
John, please pass on my condolences to your sister. I’m sure that Dreyfus and Irie are hanging out together in a Doggie Heaven with a never-ending supply of Beggin’ Strips (Dreyf’s fave, too), soft pillows to nap on, and all kinds of dead critters for them to roll around in. I think dogs make us better people, because they teach us about loyalty, love, and how the best pleasures in life are often the simplest.
Devon, my thoughts are with you, hon.
capelza
What a sweetheart Irie was.
I’m looking down at my little Chihuahua/Minitur Dachshund mix that I inherited from the neighbour. Never was much for the companion dog, but he won me over (he thinks he’s a big hound, fearless and his “girlfriend” is the Great Dane next door).
I can’t imagine how hard it will be to let him go when the time comes. I have all my cats’ photos on a shelf and still put roses on their graves. Sometimes out of the corner of my eye I still see the calico I lost 19 years ago, like a whisper passing just within my vision.
Devon Cole
J.G.
Thanks for posting my email. I wasn’t expecting it and dad called me to tell me to look at your site. I have been reading eveyone’s responses and it is making me feel better to have so many people 1.- even know that Irie existed- he made such a huge impact on my life, and 2.- see that so many other people went through the same thing and feel the same way about their fur-babies. While I am in the midst of emotional turmoil, the blog has served as a little calm spot. By the way- listen to Good Old Days by Ziggy Marley. I think he wrote it for Irie. Thanks bro.
Louise
I gave my dog an extra hug after reading that. My condolences. I’ve had to make that same decision twice and it’s heartbreaking. She showed real love for Irie.
vetiver
Please reassure your sister (again) that she did the right thing letting Irie go. That’s the last, best, way to show him how much she loves him — and like so many really generous acts, it hurts like hell.
Lee
John, I’m hoping your sis reads this…
I read this post Monday…it has taken me this long to think of something to say. I’m sorry for your loss Devon. I know how hard it is to let go of someone you love. Max left me over 8 years ago now and as I sit here writing this I am pretty much bawling my eyes out. He left in a much more traumatic way than Irie did and I still am not sure if the decision I made to have him ‘put to sleep’ was the right one. The vets came to my house and he died in my arms…I am so grateful that I was holding him but it was the hardest thing I have ever done.
I have a new dog, Kokoro. She in an Akita. She is the most beautiful, spirited and gentle dog in the world who everyone loves, but she is not Max. There will never be another Max.
Irie is still hanging with you. If you think you see him out of the corner of your eye, when you dream about him. That’s him.
Max hangs around still. I don’t dream of him as often anymore. I think he has moved on because Kokoro is taking care of me now.
Ps my lil sis has a cat that she’s had for 14 years named Irie. What a crazy cat he is!!
“Don’t worry bout a thing, cause every little thing gonna be alright.”