A pet is part of the family. When it’s time to say goodbye, permanently, it can really cause some stress to all that have experienced the loyalty and love that a treasured dog can offer.

On April 14^th, 2024 after 17 years and 7 months, we had to say goodbye to our “baby girl” (as my wife would call her) Snowball. She was a mix of Lhasa Apso and Poodle, back when these poodle mixes were a new idea. I got her at a local pet store in Lynbrook (not what I would have planned) and got very lucky. She was the runt of her litter, quiet and about 4 ½ months old, so now past prime as far as puppy’s are concerned in a store. So, she was discounted and sat alone in her kennel. My wife was pregnant with my son Joe and she had just contracted chickenpox in her first trimester (a story for another day). My step kids Ashley and Anthony were 9 and 10 and really wanted a dog. My wife, not so much. But being stuck in bed and it being a few days before Christmas, she reluctantly allowed me to entertain a last-minute gift idea to help cheer up the family, hence my unexpected stop at the puppy store. As fate would have it, this little ball of white fluff sat and looked gently at me and never broke the stare with that tilted head puppy look. I asked to take her out and she quietly sat there looking at me. No jumping, not biting, just a gaze. I knew this was the one. It was late and my wife said if she is still there tomorrow, you can get her. Well, Christmas eve, she was, and I did secretly get her with all the accessories, food, a crate and her baby blanket. She was a little ball of love. We hid her up in our bedroom. The next morning, the kids had no idea and we rushed breakfast to get to gift opening. It was a light year gift wise with mostly clothing and a few toys. I could tell the kids seemed disappointed, but I said I will be right back. I went upstairs and poor Snowball was crying to come out of her crate. I picked her up in her blanket and slowly carried her downstairs, and the kids couldn’t believe it. It was amazing to see the excitement.

Another 7 months later and Joe was born. Snowball, barely a year old would sit by and watch at attention next to Joe. She kept a close eye on him and always barked if he got up or moved away from his play area. The bond between them was amazing. She grew with the family and watched over us as lovingly as one could expect. Her comprehension for both verbal and hand commands was amazing. She was easy to train, and we knew she understood most of what we told her. I often could walk her without a leash, and she knew to stay by my side and not run in the street. She was a true family member.

When my mom passed away in 2010, she stayed by my side. She could sense the loss and got me through a tough time of my life. How dogs can sense this is unknown to me, but she was my crutch and my listener when everyone else was away or sleeping.

When we eventually moved to Florida in 2021, we had to make a huge decision to let Ashley care for her with her boyfriend Anthony and left them to stay in Long Island. It was heart breaking to not have her in sight anymore, 1100 miles away. By then she was showing signs of old age, with poor sight and selective hearing. But she remained active and still looked like a puppy at 15 years old. Ashley kept her groomed and got frequent vet checks as her kidneys started to fail. It got to the point where she had to wear diapers in the house, but still got excited when they came home and would do her running laps around the house. In her last week of life, she could hardly stand up. We knew it was time. We had a vet come to their house and I was able to fly up and be by her side on her favorite bed, outside with flowers that she loved so much, giving her any treat, she wanted. It was a peaceful but a sad end to a valued part of the family. I was able to live video call with my wife and Joe back in Florida and we all had tears, but also knew it was the right thing to do. Snowball will always be remembered and is very much missed. Even a month after this emotional event, it hurts to think about her. Rest in peace dear Snowball.