Be Very Selective in Who Makes You Mad and Who Makes You Cry

by John Flores

Be very selective in who makes you mad and who makes you cry, those emotions stem from love and love should be earned- Mom

Back in June, I pulled a dog named, Knuckles. He was a senior pittie but just full of energy. Over the last few weeks, that boundless energy seemed to vanish. He was diagnosed with kidney failure and we laid him to rest yesterday. I don’t know any other way to communicate how I feel other than to write him a letter…

Dear Knuckles,

They say all dogs go to heaven so I’m assuming that’s where you’re reading this from. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I know there’s a bunch of cute female dogs up there that you would rather be chasing.

I guess I want to thank you for giving me a lesson in forgiveness. After everything you went through, you still had nothing but love for us humans. When we first met, back in June, I was told that you had been hit by a car and that your owner dumped you at the pound. You spent over a month at the pound and in that time NOBODY walked you. In case you don’t know how long a month is, it’s a really long time to be in a cell, especially if you’ve done nothing wrong! The day they pulled you out, you were so not interested in anything that I actually hesitated pulling you. Thanks to fellow Pittie Crew member, Terra, for giving me the extra vote of confidence to pull you. She’s a big reason you became part of the Priceless Pets family! Your manhood was still intact so we had to come back for you the next day.

That next day, we picked you up and you treated us like we were long lost friends who were finally reunited. I actually had a hard time believing you were a senior dog because you had so much energy! I remember we took you to the park and how I thought it would be a great idea to wrap your long line around my ankle and make you chase the ball. It was one of those “funniest home video” moments. You gave everyone a good laugh at my expense!

A few days later, we took you to see Brenda. She’s the owner of Pup’s Parlor and as she was giving you your bath, you just melted in her arms. Whatever the dog equivalent of purring is called for dogs, you were doing it! You loved every minute of it, even the nail trimming.

But I guess Father Time caught up with you and all that energy you had begun to vanish. Volunteers would find you just staring at your wall in your kennel and you stopped eating your food. You even stopped barking at you “nemesis”, Fletcher. In fact, it got so bad; more Pittie Crew members stepped up and gave you the best foster home ever! I’m sure you remember, Bob and Leslie! They loved you so much. They gave you everything you ever wanted and everything you so deserved!

Even after you were diagnosed with kidney failure, we all remained optimistic you would bounce back. And boy, did you put up the fight. Any human would have given up way before you did. We all did everything we could to get you to bounce back but I could tell how tired you were when I looked into your eyes. Despite all of that, I remained optimistic but deep down I knew. I just didn’t want to face it.

When Leslie called me in tears, I knew it was time. We met at the vet and while we were talking to your doctor, I was looking for ANY sign to keep you going. But there was no reason good enough. All of our reasons were selfish ones. Terra, Paige and Bob all came to spend your last minutes with you. You gave us all kisses and you stood on all fours for as long as you could but eventually you had to lie down. Even while you were hanging out with us in the grass, I was looking for you to give me a sign, any sign, to just run back in there and call the whole thing off but there was this one moment you locked eyes with me as if to say, “Thanks, but I’m tired. Really tired.” I knew you had no energy to walk so I carried you to the room.

Please know we all stayed with you until your last breath. I’m so sorry we never officially got you adopted but we sure did find you a home. Bob and Leslie were the best parents you could have ever asked for. One thing is for sure, you crossed the rainbow bridge surrounded by family and for the very same reason my heart broke yesterday, you are the same reason that will mend it back together and give me the strength to save more dogs in your honor. I’ll never forget you. None of us will. You deserved every tear I’ve wept for you the past two days.

While you’re up there, say hi to Roxie, Nonamie, and Fairfield for me.

Rest in Peace, my friend.

Love,

John

John Flores

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