The End

“He’s in there somewhere.” (Photo by Ron Palermo.)

“What in the wide-wide world is someone my age doing bringing home a high-energy dog like this?” I said to anyone and everyone at Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Services.
I was there to pull-the-plug on on my beloved dog Scarlett.
Scarlett is/was a rescue Irish Setter from Ohio Irish Setter Rescue. Nine years ago Ohio Irish Setter Rescue brought four dogs in crates to Buffalo for people from Rochester to consider. How my wife found out I have no idea.
A couple from nearby Penfield was to consider Scarlett as a therapy dog. (YEAH SURE; “feeling better today?” BOINK!)
We were to consider one of Scarlett’s puppies. Scarlett was from a failed backyard breeder. She was only four, but already had two litters.
The lady opened the side-door of her minivan, and I heard “WHOMP-WHOMP-WHOMP-WHOMP!” “I hear a wagging tail,” I cried.
“Oh, that would be Scarlett,” the lady said.
Dogs out, the husband of the couple considering Scarlett tried to take her for a walk. Ker-SLAM! Scarlett dragged him to the ground.
“Here, let me try her,” I said. “I just put down a high-energy dog.”
YANK-PULL-LURCH! Sniffity-snort; this way and that.
I made it; stayed on my feet.
That wagging tail was all I needed — how could I resist? I woulda taken all four dogs, but decided only one dog was all I had time for. I decided I’d take Scarlett.
“Why is someone my age bringing home a dog like this?” I said.
I promised I’d try my best. I was 64, but still in pretty good shape — I ran foot-races previously, and was still running back then.
Four years passed, then my wife died. We could see it coming, but of course hoped it wouldn’t. Wife gone I was alone with Scarlett — just me and that silly dog.
I was complete wreck for a while, especially at first. Still am somewhat. I felt I couldn’t give Scarlett the life I promised.
But she became very attached to me; I spoiled her rotten. The people that board my dog showed up for moral support. They also liked Scarlett quite a bit.
That dog ended up being the BEST one I’ve ever had. She’s Irish-Setter number-six. None have been prettier or more regal, and also spunky.
She was age-13, ancient for an Irish-Setter. At least 20 rabbits died in her jaws, and innumerable mice and moles. Once she caught four chipmunks at the same time.
Even at 13 I had to raise the back step so she could chase a chipmunk. “I smell it — I’ll git it!”
She was getting seizures; had a couple a week ago. A nearby vet prescribed anti-seize pills, plus diagnosed her with diabetes. I began shooting her up — with insulin.
Last night another seizure, and her back-end was getting clumsy. I took her to Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Services; they hospitalized her. She had another seizure soon after I arrived.
They kept her overnight, and we decided taking her home was too risky. I didn’t want her to get hurt. Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Services is 40 minutes away.
So now Scarlett is gone. BEST dog I ever had. Is it fair for an oldster like me to take home a dog so spunky?
I miss that dog already, and it’s only been a couple hours. No one to prewash all the plates and pans before I put ‘em in the dishwasher; no more treat-game when she eats her supper; no more “tomato-dog,” or “broccoli-dog.” “No spinach for this dog; who do ya think I am, Popeye?”
No more Scarlett showing me her harness for our walk at the park. To her we were hunting.
Also no more Scarlett to follow my life-schedule; everyday habits to make life easier for a stroke-survivor. “Order-out-of-chaos;” she loved it. (Time to pet the dog.)
Most important is she stayed with me after my wife died. I was utterly smashed, but I had Scarlett, alias “the Big Meat-Head.”
BEST dog I’ve ever had.
(I cry just doing this blog.)

• I had a stroke October 26th, 1993, from which I pretty much recovered. Just tiny detriments; I can pass for never having had a stroke.
• RE: “Meat-Head.....” —Every dog we (I) ever owned I’ve nicknamed “Meat-Head.” With me Scarlett knew of herself as “Meat-Head.” (A previous dog, who was rather small, I called “Little Meat-head.”) —“Meat-Head” because like a pot-head likes marijuana, Scarlett liked meat.