A Letter to an Old Friend

A Letter to an Old Friend

oldfriend_bl_1About 2 years ago, Priceless Pet Rescue took a chance on a senior beagle named, Wally. He was left in a night time drop box and he had a laundry list of medical problems. He was given months to live and he turned it into just about 2 years…2 of the best years of my life. At 6:10pm on, February 24th, 2016, the dog we know as Wallelujah took his last breath and crossed over to the other side. I came home that night and wrote him this letter so he had something to read on his journey over the rainbow bridge…

Dear Wally,

I remember the first day you came to my house. You had already been at the rescue for a few months and Kathleen had asked me to take you in because it was looking like you had “a few days” to live so it was a no brainer to take you in to give you place to spend your last days. I had no idea those last days would last almost 2 years.

In the past 6 months I found myself carrying you around more than usual. Sometimes you would fall in your own poop which was ok. I had no problems cleaning up after you. I knew your bones were achy in the morning so if you needed me to carry you outside it was more of a pleasure than an inconvenience. You had lost your hearing and you had only one good eye but you still always had your appetite and bossed everyone around the house. Every time I felt like you were feeling under the weather I would just put you in your wagon and you would perk right up. Your howl could make the saddest person smile.

oldfriend_bl_5I miss you so much right now. You have no idea. I always had this vision in my head that I would plan the day this would happen so I could invite everyone over that loved you to spend time with you and give you whatever you wanted to eat. Then I would have you cross over to the other side in the comfort of your own bed.

But now that I think about it, we gave you a party. It was just disguised as a pet expo. So many people came to see you and love on you. Had people known you only had a few days left on this Earth they would have been sad but nobody knew and everyone was so happy to see you! Even Kathleen was there and had it not been for her phone call asking me to take you, you may have never ended up in our house! I know you weren’t feeling your greatest but you still gave your signature howls.

And we gave you whatever you wanted to eat in your last days. Uncle Terry took you around the pet expo and later told me he gave you just “a little bit” of his burger but I know him better than that and I wouldn’t be surprised if he bought you your own!

And then yesterday, the day was so nice I decided to take you out with your 2 best friends, Penny and Elvis, to chase the ball around. You howled, tried to bite the chuck it and even had enough energy to chase the ball one time which was more than you had tried to do for quite some time. It took me back to a time when it was just the 4 of us. Maybe had I known that today was going to be your last day with me I would not have enjoyed all those last moments with you.

oldfriend_bl_2But today…after all the times you gave me reasons for you to stay on this Earth. You finally gave me a reason to let you go. You no longer wanted your bully stick. Your breathing was slow and heavy but you were hanging in there. I caught Snack Pak giving you kisses but I think he was just wishing you well on your new journey. You still had enough energy to snap at Betty as she stole your bully stick (which I now see as a passing of the torch) but the look you gave me told me everything. And if I couldn’t honor your last wish, what kind of best friend would I be to you. I promised you would leave this world with some dignity and that’s exactly what I gave you even if it meant losing you.

I took my time on the way to the vet because I knew this would be my last car ride with you. I played happy songs and even though you couldn’t hear them I knew you could feel them. I told you we were going for a ride to see Bri and that’s exactly what we did. And even though we couldn’t send you to the other side on your bed where you ruled the house, we got to do it in the next best place…your wagon. I held your paw the whole time and sent you positive thoughts up until you took your last breath.

oldfriend_bl_4I would’ve carried you around for the rest of my life if it meant you would live forever and I would’ve wiped your poopy butt as many times as it took if it meant I could hear your howl every day…but what kind of life is that to live for a man as dignified as you… I’m hoping all this is just a dream and I wake up tomorrow and you’re right there in the kitchen digging in the trash.

The ride home was long and lonely. I must’ve pulled over at least 3 times to wipe the tears away. It’s been an honor to share your twilight years with you, my friend. And if I had a chance to do it all over again I would do it in a heartbeat.

We gave you a few months to live and you gave us about 16 more. If that’s not the definition of selfless, I don’t know what is. Life just isn’t going to be the same. You got to witness the first kiss between Bri and myself. You were there when we found out Bri was pregnant. You were a part of so much change in my life in the short time you were with me. You’ve been there for a good majority of our fosters and you were such a great foster brother. You were the only dog I never got mad at. The rules never applied to you and that was more than ok with me. You have no idea how much I’m going to miss hauling you around in your wagon. Thursday’s at Bri’s house are going to seem empty without hearing your paws stomp around the house and having Fawn and Chuck play with you like you’re gonna chase them around the house. You know, your mom lived kind of far. I’m going to miss seeing your face in oldfriend_bl_3my rear view mirror on those rides there. Your sister Penny is actually laying on your bed as I write this and Elvis hasn’t moved from the couch. I knew this day was going to come but I didn’t think it would be today but it’s not like there was actually day when this would be ok. The only thing keeping me from crying is thinking back to all the times you made me laugh and smile.

You’ve definitely earned your wings and where you’re going you won’t be needing your wagon. And know that you left quite a mark on this world. So many people adopted a senior dog because of YOU! You also became quite the “pit bull” advocate…all by just being Wally.

I’m sure you’re running across the rainbow bridge as I’m writing this. Say hi to Zelda and Bella for me. I’m sure they can’t wait to see you.

I’m not sad you left, I’m sad we couldn’t go with you. Out of all the dogs in the house, it was you oldfriend_bl_6that I thought I was the most prepared for to send to the other side. Well, my friend, I was not prepared at all. I know you’re in a better place but I’m not. But if taking on this pain means it takes away yours, I would do it every time. We will see you again but the rest of your pack needs me and there’s still a ton of work to do down here.

By the way, I don’t know if you knew this but your breath was horrible and no matter how much we washed you, you always had this “Wally smell” that only a parent (or a dog/pig) could handle. Well, it’s slowly beginning to disappear. And the cleaner the house smells the more I miss you. Oh, the things I would give up to have that smell back in the house…

I love you, Wally.

Love,

Everyone

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Comments

  1. John. . . .such a beautiful letter (from your “big” heart). I don’t have FB so I’ve followed your blog ever since my niece shared info on your foster. Kurtis. I never met Wally, but I especially relate to Wally (through your pics, videos and stories) as my niece lost her beagle 2 yrs ago. Wally’s bark-howl was just like her beagle; and also “very” food driven. ha ha As everyone agrees, Wally was blessed with your love and caring and Wally loved his new family and also taught you a little about “beagles”. YOU extended Wally’s life; always remember that.

  2. Dawn Ingebretson : February 26, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    My heart aches for your loss John. Your words are very loving and I know Wally felt all of this during his life with you. Like you say, your work is not done and there is more to accomplish and deal with on earth. What a joyous reunion you will someday have with your furry friends that are happily romping and playing pain free in doggie heaven. Thanks for sharing your letter to dear Wally????❣

  3. I’m crying for Wally. I’m crying for you and yours, John. I understand what you’re feeling. I’ve been there, too. Such an ache. Sending love. Wally was so loved.

  4. Oh the tears are flowing..as soon as I started to read this letter..i even prepared myself with the box of tissues before i started cuz i knew your words were gonna hit hard..The moment you posted that Wally left us and crossed over the Rainbow bridge i got on your website and I ordered a Wallelujah‬ shirt for my son and the wiggle shirt for my daughter, just so they can have a piece of Wally with them always! I never got to meet Wally but i sure did love that pup..tonight when i told my kids that he passed away tears flowed from them as well. Your words, pictures, videos brings us closer into your world and we are thankful for that. I explained to them just as you had explained to us, that when its their time to go, you can’t be selfish and you need to do whats best for our furbabies. Thank you for your posts, your insights and always being so honest with your feelings..My heart and thoughts go out to you and Bri during this time..Wally will always be in our hearts!

  5. Beautifully written John!

  6. Rest in Peace Wally.
    To me Wally was your rescue. Wally wasn’t the young healthy pup who needed a home. Wally was old and didn’t look so cute on the day he came home to. Wally was the one who needed you and turns out you needed him more. Wally gave you the gift of understanding that old smelly dogs deserve a chance to live a life of love and they also get to be cherished.
    I loved your love for Wally and over that I saw Wally’s love for you. The one night we all parties a little hard and you ended up on floor, there was one dog that never left your side. There laying next to you was an old beagle who protected you. Wally loved you. I still have that picture because it is a beautiful one. To adopt a senior dog is a gift. To love a dog who hasn’t always been love is a greater one. I am glad you received this gift from a loving dog.
    I am very sorry for your loss and very grateful for your love to Wally.

  7. Beautifully written. We all love you and support you wholeheartedly.

  8. Kathleen Masnec : February 27, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    I love your blogs and usually have a little fuller heart and cleared-out tear ducts after I read them. This one really touched me. The empty bed, clean smelling house, extra bully sticks, no knocked over trashcans must seem so strange. Wally’s goodbye was the expo and I am so glad he got to enjoy all the people’s love and affection. Loving a dog is so special. It is so sad to see them go. Thank you for giving Wally what he needed. I am forever grateful….

  9. You have an amazing way with words. Your blog, your letters and even your FB posts ‘say’ a lot more than just the words. It’s a gift. I never met Wally, or you for that matter, but like many others, he was one special senior to me, and yes, I cried the day I read your posts about his passing, as well as while reading this letter to him. My heart aches for you and the rest of your pack, but I have to believe that Wally is running free and will forever watch over you and his pack.

  10. My heart hurts after reading this … We will miss him forever ????

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