Writings by Jackie

The Story of Obie

written 2005

I volunteer at Caring for Creatures by grooming dogs and cats on Saturdays. Several of the dogs I groom receive medicated baths due to skin conditions. That’s how I met Obie.

Obie is 12 years old--clearly a “senior” dog. He has a skin condition that has to be medically controlled. And yes, Obie is graying around the muzzle.

As the weeks of grooming Obie passed, he and I grew closer. On grooming day, Obie would prance to and from the grooming room. At the end of the day, I would come home from CFC and tell my husband stories about Obie. I couldn’t stop talking about Obie and thought about him constantly throughout the week. We began to discuss adopting Obie, but could we manage another dog? (We already have four.) Could we afford extra veterinary bills? Did we have room in the house? How would another dog change our household schedule? We found ourselves spending a lot of time discussing Obie. Yet, the day came when it was very clear Obie was coming home. It felt right. He needed to be with us. More important, we needed him. People don’t really adopt animals, they adopt you. I am a very lucky person, because Obie adopted me.

With Obie being 12, we sacrifice cute for character, naïve for wisdom, baby fur and baby teeth for a graying muzzle and some needed dental work. However, we also own a dog that, after living in an outdoor pen for almost 12 years, is perfectly housetrained. Obie wants to live in a house, be a part of a family, and seems to know what do to and when to do it. He loves his orthopedic bed, his Polartec blanket and his new blue bowls. He is full of fun, has a lot of personality, is very affectionate and wants to be loved and accepted.

I am writing this to ask you, the reader, to please consider adopting a senior animal. Middle aged and senior dogs have much to offer in the way of love and companionship. They are smart and do not require the training a younger animal might. There are no secrets about what they’ll look like when they grow up. Do not deny yourself the experience of sharing your life with an older animal that someone else might turn their back on because of age. The rewards of owning a senior pet far outweigh the signs of aging.

My husband and I know we won’t have Obie forever - we humans outlive our animal companions. In Obie’s case, our time with him is shortened because we met him in the autumn of his life. But whatever time we have with Obie, that time will be more rewarding and fulfilling than it would be without Obie. 

I can only tell you my story. Every day of my life is richer because Obie is a part of it.

written 2009

Obie experienced his own “Peaceful Passing” in 2007. These are Obie’s thoughts on the tumor which led to his eventual death, as related through animal communicator, Kris Lother:

"I know that I have something that is inside, uncomfortable, and I sense that it is this intrusion that causes my discomfort and failing. It is absolutely an intrusion and I am saddened, as I know it is what will bring about the end of my physical being. Every soul, at least the souls of the animal world, has an understanding and an acceptance of moving from the physical body to a higher place. It is a beautiful gift. It is a rebirth, but it also is a heart-wrenching task for us to leave the ones we love. We are no different than humans in that respect. There is this period of time from onset to end that is most difficult. 

There is a process we go through with the first step being that we are confronted with the realization that the body has chosen to malfunction, to wind down, to choose the time when the soul must prepare for its exit. It is that period between knowing there is an end and the acceptance of the exit that is most difficult. We struggle through the pain and discomfort of our failing bodies while holding on to the love of our humans, cherishing each moment left for us in our physical bodies. It is a period of thankfulness and honor of the wonderful union of human and animal. 

I have no regrets and feel under other circumstances perhaps the removal of this tumor might have been possible. But it was not meant to be for me. I am so deeply touched, that when my time to leave is upon us, my person will give me that wonderful gift of letting go. I want her to be there. I don't want to go on from a surgery table. Light a candle. Hold my head and I'll take your love with me. That’s what I want.

I have a blessed, glorious life. I love you and thank you for loving me. Always smile when you think of me. Always remember how we've touched each others lives. Always know you need only think of me and I'll be by your side."