A TRIBUTE TO SANTO

Our lives are measured in blocks of time spent caring for another being.  These blocks can overlap and some are more richly embroidered with memories, but together they form the fabric that defines our lives.  Each block of that fabric is a work in process until the time is up, the lessons are learned, and whether we are ready for it or not, the block is complete.  With the completion of each block comes pain and grief as we mourn the loss of that being in our life.

 

Today was the completion of Santo's block of time in Carolyn's and my life.  His block is richly and beautifully embroidered with memories of love and devotion.  The tumor which invaded his abdomen did nothing to diminish his gentle sweetness which masked the severity of the problem until it was far too late to do anything but the right thing. 

 

Santo joined our household in July 1999.  He had been  taken to our vet's office by an older couple who asked them to put him down because he barked too much.  Aside from needing his teeth cleaning and to be neutered, he was in perfect health at 11-1/2.  We readily welcomed him into our home and he immediately became Carolyn's dog.  In typical sheltie fashion he never left her side, following her from room to room, herding cats when he felt the need, and laying in guard dog position by her bed.  Santo bonded closely with my bulldog Phoebe and when she died in March, he mourned her passing.  He was depressed and more inward than usual so we may have missed the first signs of a physical problem. 

 

He was a great little dog and Carolyn wishes with all her heart that she'd had him from puppy hood.  But she is grateful for the four years she was given.  Yes, he barked too much.  But we discovered that he was going deaf and didn't want to miss an opportunity to show that he was still on the job.  Santo's barking always annoyed me more than it did Carolyn.  But when we got home from the animal hospital today, it was mighty quiet as we came in the door... and that was worse than all the barking in the world.

 

Run free and bark your head off, Santo... your girlfriend Phoebe is waiting for you.