Good dog.

spriggyinannarbor

Spriggy, 1991-2009

I’ll have more to say about this later. For now, this is just to let his vast fan club know he’s no longer with us.

Posted at 12:03 pm in Uncategorized |
 

65 responses to “Good dog.”

  1. Danny said on August 4, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    Sorry, Nance. Eighteen years is a pretty good run.

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  2. brian stouder said on August 4, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    One supposes that your daughter might find this an especially jarring transition.

    Here’s wishing you and yours well

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  3. Sue said on August 4, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    There is never, ever enough time with them, is there? One of the problems with being a pet lover is that you grieve not just for your own well-loved animals, but for others’ too. I am so sorry.

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  4. LAMary said on August 4, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    Oh no. It’s never easy.

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  5. Jenflex said on August 4, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    I’m so sorry…

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  6. Jim in FL said on August 4, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    Sorry for your loss…

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  7. paddyo' said on August 4, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Keep thinking about the 18 . . .

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  8. coozledad said on August 4, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    What paddyo’ said.

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  9. blue girl said on August 4, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    So sorry.

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  10. Linda said on August 4, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    I’m so sorry. That’s always tough.

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  11. alex said on August 4, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    O.M.G.

    It never occurred to me that he wouldn’t be around forever. He was the perkiest little guy. So sorry, Nance.

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  12. Colleen said on August 4, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Oh, my heart is hurty for you. I’m so sorry.

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  13. michaela said on August 4, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    I’m so, so sorry. What a cutie pie.

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  14. basset said on August 4, 2009 at 1:18 pm

    Crossing the rainbow bridge… so sorry to hear that.

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  15. Dorothy said on August 4, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    Big gasp here when I saw his picture. I am so, so sorry. Hugs to you all.

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  16. Rana said on August 4, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    I’m so sorry.

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  17. Cathy D. said on August 4, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    🙁

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  18. ROgirl said on August 4, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    sorry — pets are wonderful

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  19. bryan said on August 4, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    Nancy,

    I’m so sorry for your loss — I know how tough it is to lose a good friend like that. When our Westie, Otis, who also lived to 18, died in 2006 it was the first time we had to teach the kids — who were 3 at the time — about death. We had him cremated, and his ashes are in a little tin in a sideboard in the front hall. (We meant to spread them under the deck at our old house — his favorite digging place — but never got around to it. So he moved with us.) Whenever someone new comes to visit, the kids ask them if they want to see Otis. Whereupon they pull the tin out of its drawer and show off his ashes. It sounds a little macabre, but I like knowing he’s still with us in some small way.

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  20. Joe Kobiela said on August 4, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    Pilots call it flying west,
    Blue sky’s and tail winds Spriggy
    Pilot Joe

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  21. 4dbirds said on August 4, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    I am so very very sorry. Thanks for letting me get to know him just a wee little bit with your photos and stories.

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  22. Tori said on August 4, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    I’m echoing all the sentiment expressed here. I just want to say I’m sorry and my thoughts are with you and your family.

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  23. Connie said on August 4, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Sorry for your loss, been there not so long ago myself.

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  24. Jolene said on August 4, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    So sorry, Nance. It’s hard to lose someone who’s been a pal for so long.

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  25. crinoidgirl said on August 4, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    I’m very sorry for your loss, Nancy.

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  26. Jean S said on August 4, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    sorry to hear this. Eighteen is pretty amazing, but still… Well, we’ll just have to think of him riding that westbound train, nose to the wind. Traveling mercies, Spriggy.

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  27. The Subtle Rudder said on August 4, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    Aww, I’m so sorry. What a great little face. I’m hugging my mutts extra hard today; they’ll get a longer walk than usual in Spriggy’s honor.

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  28. Julie Robinson said on August 4, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    Oh no. Sorry is so inadequate. Remember the good times and laugh and cry as you grieve.

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  29. RoryonLawnGuyland said on August 4, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    Nance: Condolences to all. It always hurts. Lost our beloved Wilma (6 years old; congestive heart failure) in May 2008, then Edna (13 years old, Spinal Arthritis) this past May. Tough year. Just remember the good times and tail waggin’. You gave Spriggy 18 good years.

    –Rjt

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  30. jeff borden said on August 4, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    Keep your chin up, Nancita, secure in the knowledge he was a helluva dog.

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  31. Scout said on August 4, 2009 at 2:53 pm

    Words are inadequate at a time like this; I’m so sorry. I know how much it hurts. Hugs, Nancy.

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  32. mark said on August 4, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    I am so sorry. What a cute little guy.

    I choose to believe the promise that every sparrow that falls from the sky is known, so it is easy for me to think that great thought and planning goes into making things perfect for every great dog that has to leave us for a time.

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  33. MarkH said on August 4, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Adding my condolences, Nance. Eighteen years; wow. And we had a tough time when we put our shepherd/lab mix, Fuji, down at six, so we can imagine your household today. May you all find peace this week.

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  34. judybusy said on August 4, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    I’m very sorry to hear about your dog. I’m sure he had a great life with all of you!

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  35. ellent said on August 4, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    So sorry to hear about Spriggy. I enjoyed reading about his exploits on nn.com over the years.

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  36. jcburns said on August 4, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Speaking of which: this is one of my favorites. Includes a photo of Spriggy in his nautical attire. Bon voyage, sprigster.

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  37. Dave said on August 4, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    So sorry, Nancy. It’s so hard, we’re watching our 9 1/2 year old Bichon age and slow down and dread that day, we’re so attached. Still, 18 years is a good run and we learned of a 17 year old Bichon the other day, doing fairly well.

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  38. Calliope said on August 4, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss.

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  39. Jenflex said on August 4, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    Dave, our Bichon is 13 1/2 and doing great. We’re hoping to get close to the Sprigster’s 18….and again, I have to recommend Dog Heaven, by Cynthia Rylant. Nancy, if you want to give me a snail mail address I’ve got an extra copy from when we lost our collie this winter.

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  40. Dave said on August 4, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    Jenflex, good to hear, ours has an enlarged heart, although she’s on lasik and the vet tells us its working better than expected. But, she sure doesn’t spring up steps like she used to, she sits at the bottom and whines about half the time, looks pitifully up at us, waiting for someone to carry her. When there’s something she really wants, she’ll climb up, but not very quick, not like she did not that long ago.

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  41. Jenflex said on August 4, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    Sage (Bichon) is actually thrilled to be deaf. Now, she has an excuse to be oblivious when we shout at her to get out of the garbage.

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  42. Mindy said on August 4, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    So very sorry that you’ve lost your Sprigster.
    I has a sad.

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  43. joodyb said on August 4, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    I too thought he’d live forever. Big hug.

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  44. Vince said on August 4, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    Oh my. Words fail at moments like these.
    I”m glad I got to meet the sprightly little Spriggy in person.
    Mydeepest sympathies. Hug Kate extra tight.

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  45. poochlover said on August 4, 2009 at 6:29 pm

    I always checked in to make sure that Spriggy was okay. I’m so sorry, Nance. He brightened many a day for all of us who loved him and loved reading stories about him.

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  46. deb said on August 4, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    aw, damn. we’re all so sorry for your loss. rest well, little man.

    nance, when you’re up for it, you should post the 20th century nance video of spriggy twisting around impossibly on his back. my kids still talk about that one. i think the nn.c community would enjoy it, too.

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  47. Dexter said on August 4, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    He led a grand life and now he’s gone. I am so sorry for your loss of Spriggy.

    GOOD DAYS COMING

    Everything changes, the wheel
    of the law turns without pause.

    After the rain, good weather.

    In the wink of an eye

    The universe throws off
    its muddy cloths.

    For ten thousand miles
    the landscape

    Spreads out like
    a beautiful brocade.

    Gentle sunshine.
    Light breezes. Smiling flowers,

    Hang in the trees, amongst the
    sparkling leaves,

    All the birds sing at once.

    Men and animals rise up reborn.

    What could be more natural?

    After sorrow comes happiness.
    —Ho Chi Minh

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  48. Lex said on August 4, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    So sorry for all of you, Nance.

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  49. derwood said on August 4, 2009 at 7:43 pm

    We will be thinking about your family. I am so sorry for your loss. It is never easy with pets. I have scolded the rest of our herd that they have to live forever.

    daron, robin
    Bono, Chayce, Kaos, Mika, Nita, and Killer

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  50. Ricardo said on August 4, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Very sorry for your family. My wife’s old dog passed this year too. He bit nearly everyone and was cranky, but he sure adapted me when we married. Buried him under the avocado tree and spread a lot of flower seeds over the grave. Right now, the pumpkins are being nourished by him too.

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  51. Andrea said on August 4, 2009 at 8:52 pm

    I’m so sorry you’ve lost your good little buddy.

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  52. whitebeard said on August 4, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    We call them pets and call them friends but when they twist their head and perk their ears when we talk with them and they listen so intently we know they are really family and deserve to be mourned. I am truly sorry for Spriggy’s passing.

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  53. Catherine said on August 4, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope you are finding solace in each other. Godspeed, Spriggy.

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  54. Bill said on August 4, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    So sorry about Spriggy. I’m sure he loved you as much or more than you loved him.

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  55. lisa said on August 4, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    Nancy,
    i am so very sorry. We lost Buddy in 2007 and it almost killed all of us. God bless Spriggy.

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  56. Susan Gillie said on August 4, 2009 at 10:26 pm

    rest in peace, dude.

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  57. Hexdecimal said on August 4, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    Condolences to you and yours for the loss.

    “Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
    May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.”
    ~Author Unknown

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  58. Sherrie said on August 5, 2009 at 12:00 am

    My thoughts are with you and yours. Spriggy will live forever, in your memories.

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  59. CrazyCatLady said on August 5, 2009 at 12:17 am

    So sad for your loss. I’ve lost loving pets too. A donation will be made to the Michigan Humane Society in Spriggy’s name. Good deeds will be done in his name. Anyone can donate in his memory to http://www.michiganhumane.org and help the helpless.

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  60. Dave K. said on August 5, 2009 at 3:27 am

    I just got home from work, saw the “Good Dog” topic and Spriggy’s picture, and was ready for another cool “Spriggy Tale”. I’m very sorry that your family lost your little buddy.

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  61. Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on August 5, 2009 at 8:53 am

    Joni Mitchell — “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone…” Sad for you all down here in the happiest place on earth; prayers for everyone (Spriggy, too), and hope you celebrate the eighteen years of love you’ve had together.

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  62. Hank Stuever said on August 5, 2009 at 9:12 am

    always so handsome in his pictures.

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  63. Susan said on August 5, 2009 at 9:26 am

    So sorry – makes me feel like crying really, even though I’ve only known him through your blog …

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  64. Deb M said on August 5, 2009 at 10:10 am

    Eighteen years sounds like a long time..but I am sure it doesnt’ feel like it today. I so clearly remember him as a young-un. So glad for you that you had so many happy days and so many great memories. He and stories of him will be missed by many. Condolences. Deb in FW

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  65. ejohnson said on August 6, 2009 at 11:32 am

    Condolences for the loss of your sweet little dog.

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