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July 20, 2008
Goodbye Lupe
The old yellow dog that rallied could no longer rally today. He woke up and his back paw and leg no longer worked. Andy held him up him while he peed, and Lupe barked in pain. The vet said it was time for him to come in.
We held Lupe's head on our lap and said our good byes. The kids brought him toys and pillows. Karsten made him a sign.
I realized I had not seen the smile on his face (my dog always smiled) nor the wag in his tail in a long, long time. Amazingly he woke up every morning and headed on his rounds up and down the street. Sometimes he fell over and couldn't get up, but he always managed... until today.
I'll forever remember Lupe as doing things his way. Like giving the Dog Catcher hell. Wrestling with a raccoon or two in our front yard. Killing the neighbor's rooster and plucking a chicken. Breaking out of so many layers of fences. Going commando down the side of our house with broken ribs and a cone on his head. All of his trips to the liquor store in White Center. Following all the kids to school and meeting them at the bus stop. Breaking into the neighbors' houses to sleep at the foot of their bed. Getting car sick all the way to Mexico.... and then puking up steak and us wondering where he was getting better food than we were eating.
Good bye Lupe! We will forever miss the dog we called ours but really belonged to the hood.
We're planning a celebration of Lupe's life maybe next week. Andy wants to make it a bring a bottle of wine and your favorite Lupe story.
Posted by jana at July 20, 2008 8:37 PM
Comments
Never has a dog wake been more appropriate. He deserves a big parting with his vast fan club.
Posted by: becca at July 21, 2008 9:35 AM
I will miss him--I really came to love that dog when I lived with you guys oh so long ago....
Posted by: erik at July 21, 2008 10:22 AM
Gary & Laura informed us last night and I've been in a puddle going through a retrospective of Lupe pix. I'm so sorry. You're right about him belonging to the hood- He was loved by all (except those impatient drivers who didn't quite understand the concept of a dog as a speed bump!)Thanks for sharing him with us. FWIW- I think a jazz funeral memorial march would be a fitting tribute to Lupe.
Posted by: Ursula at July 21, 2008 10:29 AM
Oh I am sorry Jana, that is a tough loss. He sweet presence will be missed.
Posted by: Shawna Zlab at July 21, 2008 1:29 PM
We're so sorry, it's very painful to lose a dog.
Posted by: T at July 21, 2008 9:22 PM
wow. awesome. so im crying at work! ROCKIN.
this just makes me think of my lab...Marls. (marley). hes 8 - and every year i think of our time together narrowing. ack. dogs are the best.
Im sorry :-(
Posted by: stella at July 25, 2008 6:54 AM
Bye Lupers. I'll always remember you as the friendliest dog at the pound and you looked like a cartoon character with your animated smile and silly personality. You became the superhero dog of Burien, the ambassador of free-love and the recipeint of free hand-outs. I'll miss ya Lupers.
Posted by: Katie at July 25, 2008 9:48 PM