When a Beloved Dog Dies - By Our Friend Junie

From Tranquilla II on the Back of Eddy Creek - Lake Barkley --- You just know I have told people over my 58-years. You just know. Maybe it is intuition, a feeling, a sixth sense or something even more esoteric but whatever it is you just know.

You know within 30-seconds of meeting someone whether or not you will like them.

Such was the case with our dear friends (and new landlords) Vince and Junie at Tybee Island. For one thing they love dogs (and as you will see later in this article Junie captures that well in writing); second, the are kind and gentle people, which is demonstrated through their behavior towards people and animals; and third, they are connective souls - two people who have finally found each other on this trip through this world and you can see it in their behavior toward each other and hear it in their words when they speak.

So, it was no surprise to me that when Junie shared her latest writing with me (she also wrote and sang for me a little ditty she had composed about their dog Tobe) that it would capture the spirit of one of her dear friends feelings when his dog passed. Since it was published in the Tybee Island newspaper I believe it is safe to republish it here.

For some of us our dogs are the closest friends we ever have. For those of us that were only children they became a focus of our world, our constant companions, our confidants, our best pals. And even for us guys when girls came along it was always our "best buddies" that were there when our hearts were broken.

Here is Junie's tribute to her friend Jimbo's dog "Rebel."

When a Beloved Dog Dies

The e-mail from Jim Heflin read: “My beloved Rebel died Saturday morning at 2:30 a.m. from a heart attack. He and I played outside most of the day, and he was his normal self. The vet said that he had more than likely been sick for some time and that dogs, like humans, mask their pain so that those close to them will not worry. I am grateful that he did not suffer, but I miss him more than you will ever know. He was my constant companion for 11 years.”

Rebel came into Jim’s life by accident---or maybe not. Whatever the case, a large dog, with a large head and huge ears, showed up in Jim’s yard on Tybee 11 years ago and decided to stay. Rebel grew into a “Great Beast”, part German Shepherd and part Akita, who knew how to spell. If he heard the letters, c----a---t, the chase was on. He enjoyed illegal frolics on the north beach with Jim’s family, and when Jim moved to a house with a pool, Rebel enjoyed poolside activities as well as an occasional swim. The Heflin’s house will not be the same without his booming bark or presence. Jim will not be the same either---he has lost his best friend.

People who are lucky enough to have the unconditional, uncomplicated love of a dog know that dogs bring out the best in us. “May I always be the person my dog thinks I am” pretty well sums it up. We thrive emotionally because of their constant and non-critical affection. Actually the only real fault they have is that their lives are too short. We know from the beginning that our dogs will probably leave this world before we do, but we are willing to undergo the terrible grief because the time we have with them is worth it.

Dogs and their owners make up a large part of Tybee’s population, and are a daily sight on the island ---in trucks, convertibles, or cars (either in the driver’s lap or riding shotgun) ---in bicycle baskets, in wagons, walking their owners, hanging off porches, chasing cats, and howling at sirens. The sight of them always makes me smile. And, in a few months, when Jim has had some time, maybe he’ll find another best friend. Not a replacement, because Rebel can never be replaced, but another best friend. Because none of us can have too many friends. I think Rebel will be pleased if he does.

“You think dogs will not be in heaven. I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.” Robert Louis Stevenson

And yes, Junie and Kay it made me cry.

Love, peace and grace and until next time, Dr. D