I don’t know how to write about this eloquently (without crying) or make it a life lesson or even say I’m OK with it. So I’ll just repeat what I put in my recent newsletter where I’ve shared many stories about Perry over the years: Many of you know how much I love my dog, Perry. Terribly aggressive cancer took him from me two weeks ago. My household is dealing with the loss of his joyful spirit and his beautiful physical form (he had the warmest eyes and softest fur), and missing the love and routine he provided.
I am incredibly thankful for each day I spent with my beloved boy, but it was not long enough — I’m selfish that way. I’m so glad we found each other in 2012. If/when (??) the pain of deep sadness subsides, I will start to smile at the many memories of my “clown-dog,” as my human best friend called him.
After the fact, I did something strange, I reverse image-searched Perry on the Internet. We always thought he was a muttley mix of sheltie (for his long and short coat and “feathers” on his legs), beagle or some hound (he was from Tennessee after all), and Australian shepherd (white coat with small black spots) and even spaniel (for his tail). The vet once said he looked like he had five parents! However, the images that came up looking exactly like him are of a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje. Of course, it makes perfect sense because Perry was a cookie hound who would run a hundred yards if you so much as whispered the word cookie.
Here is a Kooikerhound on the left and Perry, the Cookie Hound, on the right with his awkward wide stance:
Seriously though, these dogs not only look like him but are described like him: “Lively, agile, self-confident, good-natured, and alert. The breed is faithful, easy-going and friendly in the home. Outdoors he is a true sporting dog being keen, swift, tough, attentive and energetic. With sufficient perseverance and stamina, he enjoys working and does so with a cheerful character. They are instantly recognizable thanks to their large, black-tipped ears and the richly feathered tail they wag proudly.” He only had black tips on one ear, but he certainly had a gorgeous tail!
And Kooikerhounds, like Perry, love water. These are duck-hunting dogs. The very first day I adopted Perry, as soon as he went into the backyard, he ran straight for the above-ground pool and jumped in. After that, I took him swimming in our nearby river many times, and he loved the pool each summer.
Then I read that Kooikerhounds have a gene for ENM (Hereditary Necrotising Myelopathy), which destroys the spine and causes paralysis. I nearly fell off my chair! A couple years back, he was diagnosed with a degenerative spinal issue that the neurological vet couldn’t fully figure out. Perry ended up in a doggy wheelchair this past year. It’s OK, he didn’t mind it. But when I read this and how it usually kills these beautiful dogs at around age two, I realized Perry wasn’t unlucky and short on time!! He had six years longer than most dogs with ENM. Perhaps he only had one parent who was a “cookie hound.”
In any case, it wasn’t his spinal issues that took his life; it was hemangiosarcoma, the worst of the worst doggy cancers. We found out on October 1 and had to let him go on November 14. I was shocked, and my world hasn’t stopped rocking yet. I guess I’m lucky I had a month and a half to say goodbye. But that night, when he wasn’t there to be fed, when it was early evening and he wasn’t there to demand a game of tug of war, and when his bed next to mine was empty, I couldn’t imagine a tomorrow without him.
I am still having so much trouble with the emptiness of our house, despite other humans and despite the cat, who has never been an only child before. So I invite you to take an extra moment and hug your animal friend and thank them for their company. Perry will be sorely missed for a very, very long time. Thanks to all my newsletter readers for their emails. I much appreciate your kind words.
Thank you for reading about my best friend.
Best wishes,
Sydney