Your Pet Tributes

'Scruffy Clark'

(PA)

We just had to put our loyal family member down this morning. He was 13 and a half years old, a Shih Tzu, big for his breed. He went blind a few years ago, but he found his way around our home like he could see 20/20. He didn't run anymore or like to go on walks too much anymore. He still knew when we were going on an extended trip and would wait at the door to be whisked away to the car, only to sleep peacefully the entire ride. He also had an uncanny way of knowing when we were near our destination and would spark alive.

He took puppy training with giant German Shepards and Retrievers. He was the little class mascot. He hiked up Hawk Mountain from the absolute bottom to the Pinnacle outlook in Pottsville, PA. Everyone was amazed his little legs could make it, but he was a tough little guy.

We discovered shortly before Christmas that he had an enlarged heart that was making it difficult for him to breathe because it was pressing on his trachea. The vet gave us some pills he thought would help. They seemed to for a bit, but after the holidays the choking got more constant and violent. He was weezing for every breathe to the point, the kids couldn't play with him anymore because it would send him into a bad episode.

Last night was the worst and we realized he was in too much anguish to keep going. We didn't want him to choke to death because he didn't deserve to go out like that. He was the only dog I have ever had and our family loved him very much.

Good-bye Scruffer Doodle Bug