Tonight my parents’ beagle, Abbey, died. She had bladder cancer and was declining quickly, so they had her put to sleep.
They got Abbey for my brother, Nate, about ten years ago. Her name came from her propensity as a puppy for biting ankles - A.B., for “Ankle Biter”. She had an especially long snout, so my Dad decided that she wasn’t a regular beagle, she was a special sub-breed, known as The Long-Nosed Boogle. She was very good at using her long nose as a tool to lift up your arm to scoot closer to you on the couch. Once cuddled under your arm, she would lift her lovely long nose up to your face and gaze adoringly into your eyes.
She had lots of nicknames. Usually she was Abs, I called her Abberdabs. Nate, for some reason known only to him, called her Chester Peddlebee.
She was highly dramatic. She hated to be picked up and would yip and howl as though you were tearing her limb from limb. She was afraid of thunderstorms and flies, and would hyperventilate and quiver in the presence of both.
She had lovely long, velvety ears. She liked carrots and green beans and naps in the sun.
She will be missed very, very much.
Thanks Sweetie, for the touching remembrance. It was a hard day, but it was time.
Now that I have pets and am so very attached to them, I can’t help but feel so sad for you. I’m glad you got to know her. That’s a lovely photo.