A true friend to the end

Sydney

Bless her little soul. She made the decision so I didn't have to.

She died peacefully at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic, under the best of care. Just went to sleep so quietly that, in the five minutes that a doctor was not attending to her, nobody noticed anything unusual.

My little girl.

Sydney "Miss Mess" Zerbisias came into my life August 9, 1996, after I found her on the then-Ohio-based American Eskimo Dog rescue site, Heart Bandits. Now there are branches all over North America.

My fifth Eskie, she represented  the best of the breed -- beautiful, alert, intelligent, loyal, affectionate, eager to please -- and was my little co-pilot, companion, white shadow and fur angel.

I just returned from the vet's where, along with her walker Darlene Reid, we had a visit with her and many good snarfs into tissues. She looked peaceful. I know that wherever she is, there are lots of Marrobones and little kids in strollers dropping Cheerios and Goldfish crackers for her to clean up.

Thanks again for all your sympathy.

Amazing how we love our poopers.

P.S. If you want a dog, please adopt an adult who needs a home. They'll love you to pieces for it, and you'll know its temperament upfront. My next baby will be coming from here.

Comments

[jiminy C at the other daughters]

I guess it's a holdover from the L & T on Terry Mosher last night - but - seriously - sounds like time for a Valium - plus something very cold and wet...won't bring her back - but will ease the pain somewhat.
That's what I'll be doing this time tomorrow - fifth anniversary of the accidental demise of my best friend - a lovely lady...ah!

[Laurie C]

Very sorry for your loss, Antonia. I hope it helps to have shared these last difficult times with your readers.

Laurie (just a reader)

I am very sad for your loss. How very lucky Sydney was to have someone who loved her so much.

You've done a great service by spreading the word about rescue dogs and adults needing a home.

[Bill-Muskoka]

Antonia,

BIG HUG! Were I there I would give you a real one just as a friend!

I have a few tears in my eyes right now from simple empathy! No words can say what I feel, nor can they change a thing. Just know that many of your virtual friends have travellled this same road, and we understand the emotions that come with such events.

Were it that people were regarded with the same love and honour...what a different world it would be!

Have a good cry, a few drinks of your choice, and then, get some sleep and let Sydney talk to you in your dreams.

I am feeling relieved to know she is at rest and it was peaceful. One cannot ask for more dignity than that when passing on to the next dimension!

Good night our dear friend!

[Diana-Marie]

Brave and feisty to the end, she made up her own mind, a true Heart Bandit .... so very glad I had the chance to meet her. What a picture, what a smile, no more pain. We've been there, we cry with you Antonia, and with Darlene, her longtime friend and walker.

[Dana]

My next dog" the woman says.

I seem to recall a conversation something along the lines of "I can't do it anymore, it hurts too much to lose them..."

I'm glad I misheard or misremember that conversation...

Unconditional love. Who doesn't need some of that? Irrespective of the number of legs it travels on.

[Andy]

Antonia,

What I usually tell people who've suffered the loss of a spouse, brother, sister, mother or father is: Remember the good times. Same goes for animals. I cried over a stupid guinea pig! So, remember the good times.

Andy

[Rondi]

Antonia, I'm so very sorry. I was actually going to email you about her again, and I was so sorry to see this. Good for you for rescuing her and giving her lots of love.

[M.Freed]

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.--- anon

[arthurdecco]

You will love her always. Sydney knows that.

& as for your advice to adopt an adult dog - we did just that in September of last year - getting a dog orphaned by Katrina in Louisianna just in time to prevent his execution in Ohio, of all places.

We haven't looked back - and neither has Nickie Nouse. All of us lucked out big time!

[Big G]

Sorry to hear about this, at least the dog had a nice home and a good person to look after it.

Interesting breed, I don't think I've ever of this type of dog.

[Pat Anderson]

Sorry you've lost such a friend; glad she went in peace.

[mike]

Antonia,

So very sorry to hear about your loss.

You know, until I lost my dog a couple of years ago, I really didn't understand what 'that' was all about. Now I do.

When it happened, my first thoughts were to phone up those other people who had lost one and apologise for what I thought was indifference, perhaps ignornace. Now I know.

Indescribable, actually. A friend, a loved one, a cuddler, and a pain in the butt.

Have a good cry (I know I did), never forget.

[Antonia Z.]

Dana,

Yeah, yeay. I know what I said. Many friends are reminding me of my words, and telling me take your time. But I already have my eyes on Sparky. (Scroll down.)

[Antonia Z.]

Ooops
http://www.reskie.com/

[Dana]

I saw Sparky earlier when you first indicated the site. Very coy boy, I must say.

Do it.

[stephen.reeves]

You have my sympathies,I had two Collies and after the 2nd one died, I said never again, but I got a third within a month.I hope your next dog brings you as much love and joy.

SR.

[dave]

We found Tilly, a beagle basset cross rescued from a puppy mill in (of all places) Ohio where she was kept as a breeder, through www.petfinder.org. It's a good site that links to many rescue orgs and allows you to search for all types of pets by size, age, etc.

After 2 1/2 years we haven't regretted a minute and I keep a picture of her at my desk. Well, okay the wife and kids are in it too but...

Tilly and I send our sympathies.

[Peter Shaw]

Terribly sorry to hear about your loss, Antonia. I had to put down my 20-year old cat a couple of years ago and still can't bring myself to seek out a new pet, so I know how difficult it can be.

Sparky looks like he'd be a welcome addition chez Zerb.

[Dwight Williams]

I'm sorry for the loss, and that I never got to meet Sydney on this side. I'm glad you'll be finding new company.

I wish you and your next new friend well, Antonia.

[Flea]

Gaah! This is so sad! I am so sorry. This must be a terrible loss. Must go hang out with my neighbour's rescue dog immediately!

[JK]

Very sorry, Antonia. Went through this with my entire family circled around the dog we had while I grew up as he was put to sleep a few years back. It can be hard, but I'm glad Sydney went peacefully.

[blamb]

It IS amazing how we love our poopers. My sympathies on the loss of your co-pilot.

[Robert Kenny]

So very sorry for your loss. Can't imagine what I'll do when my old beagle buddy Beau returns to the Daisy Hill puppy farm in the sky.

[Maz]

There are many poignant moments in the 9/11 documentary film On Native Soil. Among the most poignant is that of a Port Authority
police officer who, having miraculously survived the collapse of one WTC tower (the stairwell sheltered him during the fall), and after being pulled from the smoking rubble, then had to be restrained by medics, policemen and firemen from attempts to go look for Sirius, his dog (also white), that he'd left alone in his office in the tower's basement, before he responded to the 9/11 emergency. The dog was with the WTC security's canine unit, his partner, IOW. Even now
I choke recalling his amazing testimony during the 9/11 hearings:
this is the stuff of Old Yeller - and I say this most respectfully.