Pogo is in Doggy Heaven.

Pogo

Age 18, January 01, 2002 - November 17, 2020

She was The Smartest of the Smart and the Bravest of the Brave. Everyone who knew her Loved her.

Linda
November 17, 2022 Linda
November 17, 2022 Linda
November 17, 2022 Linda
November 17, 2022

Nickname: Sweetie Dog

Pogo died this morning. She woke me up with a bulging belly and sad eyes. She ate her homemade breakfast consisting of chicken, liver and rice with Tumeric and broth. She always devoured it like a wolf in 30 seconds. Today was no different but she gingerly picked out her medications and left them in the bowl as if to say, "No, I won't be needing those today."

Tens days ago I had a fatty tumor removed from her back that weighed 4 pounds and impeded her walking. I thought I did the right thing but now I'm not so sure. She was declared in "good health" before the operation and I thought it would improve her quality of life. Today I'm sorry and left with lingering doubts. I blame myself, the Vet, life in general and can't stop sobbing.

Pogo was a 45 pound bundle of energy and Love. She looked like a cross between a Ridgeback, Shepherd and mutt. Fawn in color, she had big bright eyes that looked like they were traced with eyeliner. She was the most beautiful dog I ever knew. She rarely barked, loved everyone and never met a dog or human she didn't like. Cats were her nemesis as she tangled with quite a few in the wilds of Arizona where she was captured running free. She had many battle-worn scratches to prove it. Mostly she was curious and always wanted to see them but was met with a rebuff if she got too close.

From the time she was 8 months old, I trained her to be a Therapy Dog. At first I thought I might train her to be a Service Dog because of my bad knees but she would have none of it. She was too curious, rambunctious and people loving to be confined to such a role. For the rest of her life, we visited Nursing Homes, Juvenile Detention and the Veteran Center several times a week. Everyone loved her and she returned the favor. I wrote 2 books about her escapades and one is on Amazon called Pogo's Tale; The Life of a Therapy Dog. It was a passion project and received many good reviews. My daughter Cody illustrated it and a good Friend painted a portrait for the front cover. Pogo seemed to approve.

In her "spare" time Pogo hiked at least ten miles a week with my husband. She bounded over hills, chased bunnies, squirrels and all many of wildlife. She ran like the wind but always came back with a gentle call from John. We took her camping and she absolutely loved riding in the back of my van performing silly antics at the drivers of approaching vehicles. People would honk, wave and laugh as they passed us with a "thumbs Up" and a smile. She was the Queen of the Road.

Pogo watched TV and hurled herself into the air at the sight of Animals or silly cartoons. In fact, she watched cartoons with my 4 year old granddaughter who would laugh and roll on the floor with delight at her antics. She would often shush Pogo when she barked to loud or obstructed her view. Pogo loved TV but couldn't see computers for some reason.

Pogo was affectionate but often standoffish if I grabbed her head. I think there was some abuse in her background. She also hated thunderstorms and would escape over our back fence to seemingly outrun them. At least 20 times,kindly drivers would return her home as she sheepishly descended from their vehicle. Once, she ended up at a bar on Whiskey Row in Downtown Prescott, and the patrons were feeding her beer as she was laughingly passed around. I always said she was a real "party animal."

Goodbye Sweet Princess. I couldn't have Loved you More. See you again over the Rainbow Bridge. Please keep an ear and an Eye out for me.