6/14/23

It is with a heavy heart that we had to say goodbye to our Phineas Superdog this morning. Phineas was our protector! He watched over all of us, especially his kids (and other people’s kids too). I ask that if you have a memory, picture or funny story of how he may have touched your life, please share it.

When I woke up, I sat with Phineas. It was quiet. He took a deep breath and let out a long deep sigh. I looked into his eyes and knew. He was tired. Living took all his effort.

The kids and I put Phineas on the couch, a place that he wasn’t normally allowed to go. He got lots of great snuggles, kisses and hugs. He got pets and many “good boy”’s

I luckily was able to reach out to a coworker to facilitate a stealth euthanasia. Sneak in the back, privately help my best friend and then leave. Irish goodbye style. Everything was so peaceful and I felt so thankful she helped us. Phineas had been part of her life too. She practiced blood draws etc on him when she was a vet tech student.

Afterward, I felt relief. Avery read a small piece of writing on how dog’s live on in our hearts. It was really nice.

We had decided to not tell Paul because he was in classes the next few days away from home. I prepped the kids to not say anything or post on social media. Paul should be able to process this news away from the classroom. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out how we planned. I felt so bad for Paul.

Phineas had jaws of steel and the strength of 10 men. He was an avid rock diver and built many rock walls at his favorite spot the Thousand Island’s. His walls were unbelievably impressive as he dove and collected rock by rock. His biggest rock was 34#. The bigger the rock the better. He also only would play with LOGS not sticks.

He had many dog friends, some that he is likely running around with right now. He even helped teach dogs how to act around other dogs because of his even temper. He has socialized many puppies and some adult dogs too.

In his career as a dog, he taught many new veterinarian’s and aspiring or new veterinary technicians how to place catheters, draw blood and have fake bandages placed for practice. He participated in mock ultrasound exams and was used in restraint technique teaching sessions. 

He went to many schools and participated in programs to help children get excited about veterinary medicine, including BOCES for career pathing talks, or even younger kids programs allowing many children to look in his ears and listens to his heart.

He was asked to participate in a working dog exhibit and raised money for Black Creek Wildlife by offering kisses in the kissing booth for 25 cents a kiss. His kisses raised over $60. THAT’S A LOT OF DOG KISSES! I think they were worth more than that though.

He was a blood donor that pulsed his pitbull blood through their bodies to help the overcome their ailments.

Most of all, he was most special because he was ours. He was the best item we have ever gotten off of Craig’s List. He kept his kids safe and got them to graduation. His job is now completed. He did the best job ever! Rest easy my best friend.

We love him and will miss him dearly, he truly was a Super Dog!

We got home and we were all a blubbering mess. Right on cue, the other 3 dog’s started acting crazy and goofy and making us laugh. It was a much needed gift.

The dynamic in the house is adjusting to this major loss. Grief is an odd thing. It hits you when you don’t expect it.  Being sad is exhausting. Time stands still. Around every corner is a reminder of how much of this house was Phineas’s from his multiple beds, medication, food bowl, collar, leashes, toys, his artifact scatter all over. He left his mark for sure.