Spanky The Great

by Gina
(Roseville, CA)

Spanky, you were the best dog any of us had ever had. You were also the smartest dog we've ever met. You had no idea you were 76 lbs and not supposed to be a lap dog because we made you one anyway.

The grief is to our core and almost unbearable. I've cried so hard anywhere and everywhere that even the stranger at the gas station today asked if she could give me a hug. She was probably surprised how tight I held on.

You were on the road with dad on another adventure. You wanted to stay home but dad really wanted you to go so we made you and I will forever be sorry for that. You got out of the truck in New Mexico and pranced around the truck, so proudly doing your investigating as usual. The truck was on and you probably didn't hear the rattle of the snake. It got you right on the chest.

A nice man drove you and dad to the nearest vet where you got snake bite juice. Baby I am so sorry they didn't give you actual anti-venom. It's not carried as much as it should be.

Dad didn't think the first vet was very good so he drove you to a vet hospital where you did really good! Mama was sooo proud of you. You had steroids, antibiotics and whatever else for 24hrs. Dad picked you up at 5:30pm and put you in the truck and saw you were unresponsive.

He called me to tell me he rushed you right back in. I knew. I yelled then prayed and I was so far away. The kids and I talked to you so intently I bet you heard us. The vet said nothing was working and asked to stop CPR - I said no. You gave it another shot and boy it was a roller-coaster until 6:40pm. You had had enough.

Today is worse than yesterday because it all feels like a really bad nightmare. We will forever feel you in our hearts baby boy. It was the best two years of our lives. Rest in peace baby and eat lots of treat treats.