There is a running joke in the family that Cujo has an identity crisis. He ran with the big dogs as if he were a big dog too. We think he felt he was a German Shepherd trapped in a Shih Tzu’s body.
On the other hand, Sophie, my cousin’s other dog, was a human trapped in a German Shepherd’s body. Maybe that’s why he and Cujo related so well.
This post is more about Sophie than it is about Cujo, though. I know Cujo won’t mind.
Sophie passed away this morning. She was a really fierce-looking dog, but I understood she was quite gentle too. I’ve been terrified of her since Day 1 and never hid that fear of mine. But with that fear also came a lot of respect. She was a great guard dog and very well-behaved.
All dogs go to heaven, right? I don’t have an affinity with Sophie the way I do with Cujo, but I’m still really sad. It took me awhile before I was able to collect myself this morning, after reading about Sophie’s passing in my cousin’s Plurk updates.
You will be missed, Sophie. And I’m sure Cujo will miss you a lot too.
How do you deal with pets that have passed away?
This Cujo pic a week is my little tribute to this fuzzy wuzzy family friend. 52 weeks in a year brings you 52 Cujo pics! Here are the past Cujo snaps:
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
bursky
May 26, 2009 at 9:57 am (15 years ago)*deep sigh*
i’m an animal lover. heck, we have 3 dogs in the house right now, and 2 puppies! it’s always sad when a “family member” passes away. in the province, since it’s OK to bury them in your vacant lot/yard, i usually put them near a tree — somehow, passing on their ‘life’ to another…
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Rach (Heart of Rachel)
May 26, 2009 at 9:57 am (15 years ago)I’m very sorry for the loss of Sophie. It’s so hard to lose a pet and beloved friend. I lost a few dogs because of old age. The last one I lost was my pet Miko. He died a few years ago. He got really weak because of old age. I knew that week that he was going to leave me so each morning, I would whisper to him how much I love him and it was alright if he wanted to go. I just didn’t want him to suffer anymore. On the last day, I was with him only seconds before he finally passed away. I’m so glad I was able to tell him how much I love him before he went on his final way. It still makes me feel sad whenever I think of him but I’m grateful for the good memories we shared.
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Eper
May 26, 2009 at 10:18 am (15 years ago)I’m so sorry to hear about Sophie’s passing. I can’t imagine losing a pet. BamBam is my very first dog and I just can’t fathom life without him by my side.
I hope your cousin finds peace and yes, I’m sure all dogs go to heaven
maver
May 26, 2009 at 10:30 am (15 years ago)sighhh. this post got me teary eyed because it brings back memories of our lab, neo, who passed away last october.
german shepherds are misunderstood and are actually some of the gentlest creatures i know. sayang our rocky would’ve probably loved meeting sophie
i agree–all dogs go to heaven!
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kaoko
May 26, 2009 at 10:36 am (15 years ago)My condolences to Sophie’s family. Well-loved pets are a part of our families so it’s always painful. *hugs* Cujo, go give Sophie’s family big doggie hugs and kisses, okay?
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Tita Frances
May 26, 2009 at 10:46 am (15 years ago)Thank you Toni for posting about Sophie. We buried her under the Langka tree in the backyard. Kuya Undoy dug her grave and gently placed Sophie there. We covered her with my brocade scarf before filling up her grave. Earlier this summer, I had Kuya Undoy create a small fenced in area under the Langka tree so i could grow sunflowers. The sunflower seedlings would eventually die after growing a few inches through the soil. We finished 2 packs of seeds… not one single sunflower produced. Last Sunday afternoon, i bought some live flowers in front of the botika, had kuya Undoy repot them in decent terracotta pots, and fully intended to put them in that frustrating sunflower patch. Sophie now rests beneath these blooms. Her dog chain on one of the pots. This afternoon Max and I will go look for an appropriate stone slab to finish of the little pet cemetery. Morbid ba? I don’t think so. My heart still continues to break as i write this. Hirap hirap but have to accept and let go of the rage in me.
Mama
May 26, 2009 at 11:19 am (15 years ago)Thank you for your post Toni girl. I’ve had a pain in my chest since i read about Sophie on Joray’s fb. Couldn’t even bring myself to call p6 and ask for details. After reading this, i am now crying copiously and realize that’s what I needed. I do miss her too and she’s not even ours! Now i’ve decided not get the shih tzu my friend offered me. I don’t think I can deal with losing a pet. I am reminded now of the pain of losing my goldfish when I was a little girl. Goodbye Sophie!
Mama
May 26, 2009 at 11:42 am (15 years ago)I bought myself a FT brown dog (in Sophie’s memory) and put her beside me and my cherry trees!
cpsanti
May 27, 2009 at 2:14 pm (15 years ago)i heart this 😉 i believe our pets who passed away are still watching over us from heaven 😉
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