Molly Papatola

Molly Jones Papatola, age 12 ¾ (or about 80 in dog years), peacefully crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. She made her final journey at home, in the arms of her Person (Dominic Papatola), her Backup Auxiliary Person (Mary S. Jones, as well as the son (Nicky Papatola) who Never Liked Dogs and the daughter (Sofie Papatola) who said that Dad needed a project and she didn’t want it to be her.

Molly bounded out of a minivan driven by her Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue of MN foster family at Como Park on a July day in 2016. We were her third family…previous owners said she “barked too much.” And a majestic woof it was…deep and resonant; an exemplar of the breed standard for whatever breed she might have been.

She was too big and mellow to be a lab. Barrel-chested but too small for a Great Dane. Too yellow to be a German Shepard. The trainers were positive she was an Anatolian Shepherd. Google pictures pegged her as an Akbash. The Wisdom Panel test found her to be mostly Great Pyrenees, with smatterings of herding and mountain dogs.

Such nuances did not concern Molly. Not particularly social with her fellow canines, she was happiest lazing in the yard, front paws crossed in a ladylike fashion that belied a watchfulness that would have her spring into action at the slightest perception of a threat: another dog, the UPS truck…really anything except balloons, which she regarded with a respectful but apprehensive mien.

In her prime, she was agile enough to sneak up onto couches and beds (which, upon discovery, she would skulk off with a side-eye and a sigh) and stealthy enough to liberate unclaimed groceries from a countertop that was “too high to reach.” She was possessed of an iron constitution, consuming uncooked bread dough, foil-wrapped cookies and – on one especially impressive occasion – an entire chicken carcass. For several years, we had a permanent computer bookmark on the Google search: “how much chocolate will poison my dog?”

Her antipathy for others of her species notwithstanding, Molly was a skilled (if uncredentialed) therapy dog.

She helped the son who Never Liked Dogs to understand that rules have exceptions.

She instinctually knew how to be enough of a project to allow the daughter to complete high school and college without (too much) helicopter parenting.

Her charm and gentle presence was eagerly anticipated when visiting relatives in physical rehabilitation facilities and senior living environments.

And to Person and Backup Auxiliary Person, she was a daily, 95-pound reminder that unconditional love comes with a certain amount of slobber and enough shedding to daily crochet a Shih Tzu.

Molly’s presence in our world would not have been possible without the expletive-laden encouragement of Wendy Knox. She owes her quality of life to the good folks at Pet Central Animal Hospital; Her golden years were enhanced by Librela™ and Dr. Soucheray’s At Home Veterinary Care, who helped her complete her time on earth with dignity and peace.

We’re grateful to everyone who understood the magnitude of this journey…John Puchtel and Tracy Puchtel; Helen Jones Butler and Kip Butler; Nancy Papatola Smith, Mary Jo Papatola Manzey and Kathy Papatola; Lisa Kohn and Warner Simonides; the Jensen family; our fellow residents of Crocus Place.

Molly loved pontoon rides and, accordingly, her ashes will be scattered at her beloved Potato Lake this summer in a private family ceremony. Memorials – in the form of treats and scritchy-scratches behind the ears – preferred to any and all canine companions in your life.