Tribute to Indy
We adopted Indy (our Black Labrador) when he was just 8 weeks old
– too young to be properly socialized by his Mom and
siblings. Consequently, he was a handful as a pup, but his
wild and boisterous enthusiasm and curiosity never became
aggression. He matured to be gentle and tolerant of all
human and furry beings (dogs, cats, squirrels, bunnies, birds, and
guinea pigs). He learned obedience training with hand
signals, he learned agility training, and he learned how to train
his owners to his every need. He loved to retrieve (balls,
frisbees, newspapers, bedroom slippers). He was a strong and
athletic dog throughout his lifetime. After reaching 14, his
fatty tumors took on a more ominous dimension and he developed
strabismus in one eye, cataracts in both, tumorous growths around
his eye, and a “unilateral masseter and temporalis muscle atrophy”
on the right temple behind the eye. His feet were troubled
with lesions and were probably arthritic causing him to give up
his beloved ball playing. And, he was hard of
hearing. Yet, with all of these bodily insults, he was
never ill-natured and never complained or whined or refused to
keep his daily routine. We tried to believe that he
was not in pain or suffering in any way, but we can never know
that. He still loved to eat and slept like a log. He
seemed to live for tacos and pizza and peanut butter
cookies! He recognized the word “pizza” and was vigilant for
any sign the delivery person was at the door. He had a
“candy inspector” tee-shirt that he wore each Halloween and
dutifully stuck his nose in each child’s basket, but never took
any candy out.
Indy was a week shy of celebrating his 15th birthday when his
bladder betrayed him. At 15 and with all the above
ailments, he was still a handsome dog – he was trim and muscled
and had no gray hairs!!!!! We really thought he would
be with us at Christmas, but it was not to be. He was a
Florida indoor (AC loving) dog and refused to be left outside
where he might have been allowed to continue on for some time.
Indy walked over the Rainbow Bridge on October 14, 2019. We
hope that our other beloved pets, Tank, Yeager, Banjo, Shiloh, and
Piggy were there to greet him on the other side and that one day,
we will all be united again.
The house is so quiet and still…We miss him in all of our daily
routine. One of the things that hurts the most about losing
a beloved pet is that they are so innocent. They do not
beguile us or deceive us, they harbor no evil thoughts or deeds,
they seek no “quid pro quo” favors from us. They accept us
as we are without criticism and they love us
unconditionally. They never intend to cause us hurt as other
humans might.
Tears fall when we realize how much has gone out of our
lives. It will take much time for the loss to fade.
With so much love - John and Barbara Arnold
Isis, 2/2/2002 -
3/29/19
One week today. I miss you more each day. You were the sweetest
soul I have ever known. You were all about giving and receiving
Love. I will love you always, for love never dies.
Your Mom
Isis Isabelle,
August 2004 - November 14, 2018
Isis Isabelle Barton I – how we used to giggle when we said your
name! You came to us on a warm late summer dusk. Your mom and
siblings were nesting under our shed and in our neighbors’ yard.
We tried to catch you all and hoped to find all of you homes, but
you were the only one lured into that trap by the tuna. So tiny
you were, and such a soft but mighty hiss you gave me, over and
over, when I carried you home.
You were the wildest little thing we ever saw! You could climb
walls like Spiderwoman, I swear. You were so scared of us. And the
fleas! They poured off of you when we bathed you in the sink.
I thought it would take forever for you to be tame, and I wasn’t
sure if your big sister, Luna
(http://petloss.com/12tribut/ltrib12.htm) would ever accept you.
She was a tough one! But I was wrong, you became part of our
family within two days. You were comforted by the sight and
presence of Luna, it was like you realized: cats are loved and
cared for here! Luna treated you like you were her baby, cleaning
you and sitting with you, at least until you got bigger. We called
you “the girls.”
My black Halloween cat, with the white neck spot. Those brilliant
and pale green eyes. That high-pitched meow that always sounded
like a kitten, no matter how old you got. Named after an Egyptian
goddess, I had to explain your name in later years because the TV
News starting using it to mean something else.
When you were loving, you were persistent. Loud meowing, head
butting, licking our ears and eyelids in the morning. I’m sorry
for getting mad. You would come visit me every night on the couch
during TV time for your nightly rubs. Then, you went back to your
cat-like ways, solitary and refined. Attached to me, trusting of
me, always.
You never learned to not get mad when I cut your nails! Those
teeth! But you always forgave and trusted again. And how you loved
Vaseline! You would wait for me at bedtime so you could try to
lick it off my hands! So funny!
You were so beautiful, my Isis Isabelle. Regal. You got more
loving as you got older. I’m sorry about the dog that time and for
bringing in all the new cats after Luna went away. I’ll never
forget how you went from room to room, window to window, looking
for her.
I had to let you go on a late fall night, after you had spent
weeks getting sicker. I knew what was coming, that it would only
get worse for you. I’m sorry. My heart will always hurt and my
eyes will always spill over when I think of how tiny you were in
my arms once again, how you curled into my neck and purred as you
did when you were our new furbaby. Isis, handing you over was so
hard. Watching you disappear through the door with that beautiful
and kind veterinarian. I did love you. It took me so long to write
this because it hurts too much. You are loved, and missed
always. By me, and by Josh and Laura too. Part of our family
and hearts forever, my sweet little girl. We will meet again. I
hope you and Luna are happy together. Love, Mommy
Year 2019
Tributes
