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I am sad to report our family has suffered another loss. On September 25, 2008 we had to put our dog and pal, Scooby High Oaks Furstoss known as Scooby Doo, to rest. Scooby deteriorated quite quickly. He would have been 11 years old on October 26, 2008.

Scooby was a pure bred chocolate Labrador retriever. He came to us on Christmas Eve 1997 as a gift for the kids. He not only had basic training but also was a master duck hunter. He liked to hunt pheasant too. Scooby loved to swim in our pool but his favorite thing to do in the water was to sunbathe on the big blue chair float with his sunglasses on.

Scooby had such a loving, calm personality. He never messed in the house, never bit anyone, never chewed anything, did not jump on people, only barked when necessary or prodded and always was ready to please. People who claimed to not like dogs fell in love with Scooby Doo. Friends and family would say he was like a person with fur!

As you know I love to garden. Whenever I was working in the yard he would follow me and then sit right next to me as I worked diligently cleaning up the weeds. If I moved, he moved.
The day Adam left us Scooby knew something was up. He seemed to be depressed from the first moments Adam did not return home. He stayed in his crate and did not want to play with anyone. I had never experienced anything like this in a pet before.

Our daughter insisted that Scooby be at the funeral home with the family. We were fortunate enough the funeral director agreed to it for the family viewing hours. Well, Scooby proved to be so well behaved he was allowed to stay all evening both days. The funeral director said he had never seen such a well-behaved dog.

When Scooby was taken to the funeral home, our daughter walked Scooby in, and coaxed him to come up to the coffin. Scooby popped up and sniffed his buddy. When Adam did not respond, Scooby immediately laid himself down in front of the coffin and did not move. Oh, did I mention the sad look on his face. He did the same thing the second day.

Why am I mentioning our dog? Not only do people grieve for their pets, sometimes they represent the last living connection to our loved ones. This is definitely the case with our Scooby. He was our daughter and our son’s dog but Adam and Scooby had an unbreakable bond. Adam took Scooby with him in his car for rides. He also taught Scooby some amazing tricks and he loved to perform as long as a treat was the reward.

With Scooby being so important to Adam, I always dreaded the day he would leave. I was afraid of my reaction to losing Adam’s best friend.

While letting Scooby go was the right thing to do, it did not make it any easier. My husband and I talked to Scooby, stroked him and told him he was the best dog. Our hearts were breaking. As he faded away from us, I told Scooby if he sees Adam to run. Run into his arms and love him up for all of us. We are content to know that Adam and Scooby are together again.

I would like to acknowledge the passing of one of Scooby’s friends/family – Hanna Kelsey. She passed away September 20, 2008. Hanna was a black Labrador retriever. Hanna and Scooby loved to hunt together, swim together and play. Hanna would get so excited as her family would enter our neighborhood. She couldn’t wait to see Scooby. We will miss her sweet face and pleasing personality.

P.S. Those having Angel Birthdays are:
Oct 20 Daniel Centola
Oct 21 Amanda Lynn Mabon
Oct 28 Sam Alimentato

Those to be celebrated:
Oct 9 Michelle Weiler
Oct 28 Jacob Kelsey
Oct 31 Catherine McGuire

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