For those of you who have hung around here awhile, you know that my user name comes from my long-time best friend Noggin, an Australian Cattle Dog mix I adopted in 2000. He was quite ill for the last half year or so, and then a couple weeks ago he had a seizure -- one of the most agonizing things I've ever watched (probably a statement on how easy my life has been compared to many in this world?). The next day while in the waiting room at the vet he had another seizure, from which he never regained consciousness.

He was a middling sized dog, not especially bright nor stupid, not especially pretty nor ugly; but he suited me almost perfectly. He deserves the ultimate dog compliment:

Good boy, Noggin!

    Sorry to hear the sad news NogDog. Great picture, he looks like he is hugging you with this eyes.

      very sorry to hear that - he looks like a cool hound

        Thanks, folks. Here's Noggin "smiling" for the camera:

          Sorry to hear the sad news. I can empathize with you on watching your best friend (of pets) seize right in front of you. My childhood dog did that on christmas eve years ago.

            My condolences as well. It's never easy to lose a family member, and don't let anyone suggest a dog doesn't count. Our family dog died when I was thirteen - he was seven weeks older than me, so I'd known him all my life, until he was hit by a car that he was too deaf to hear and too slow to avoid. Decades later I still think of him.

            I don't know whether or not knowing Noggin was ill helped prepare you or not, or whether it helps, but I do know that what does help that you did spend that time together. That's what's important.

              Yeah, I spent the last month or two of Noggin's life wondering when we (the vet and I) would decide it was time for him to "sleep." Instead, Noggin's deteriorating body decided for us. In some ways it was like my mother's passing a few months before: I was terribly saddened to see her go, yet that was tempered at least a bit by knowing her suffering was over. While I am neither a religious nor "spiritual" person, there is still a part of me that hopes Noggin is now keeping Mom company, and she is "accidentally" dropping bits of food on the floor for him.

                Hey NogDog... Sorry to hear the news. He looked like a friendly guy. Take Care. j

                  Sorry to hear that NogDog. I hope the missing him and the pain of remembering will quickly fade into that sweet state where you remember with fondness and only a lightly aching sadness.

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