Vinny

Our beloved friend Vinny, was put to rest last Sunday, January 20, 2019 at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital four days short of his eighth birthday. He failed to recover from an operation on his brain, and slipped into a coma. He is survived by his human family Theresa and Sam, Soren and Ericka, and canine family Sophie and Lucky. He is preceded in death by canine brother and sister Pook and Coco, both of whom he loved.

For almost eight years Vinny was an unfailing guardian of our home and family, and perpetual best friend to his mom. They were inseparable. He knew when mom was coming home, and somehow recognized her car from others before it came into view. He and Sophie would greet her with howls of joy; he would pick out one of his toys to present to her as she come through the door. Not known for his high energy, you could always find him next to mom.

I miss preparing his meals, which he loved to supervise, but especially “Eggy Sunday” when the “kids” were made omelets. Against all desire, he would wait for the cue that it was OK to dig in. Other days he would “shake” for meals, eventually mastering the “running handshake” to get to the food. I will miss how when I called him, he came, and then promptly turned around to get his butt scratched. We miss your “humpback whale” noises, your sense of humor but most of all, your love.

My open message to Vinny:

We all miss you, more than you could know. You were the stalwart guardian of the house and all inside. You never failed us. It is becoming clear that when it was my time to be your guardian, I failed you. For that I beg your forgiveness. Your mom and I acted on the best information we had at the time, and it is becoming apparent that our decision may have cost you the rest of your too-short life. We will live with that pain until we die.

I pray that someday I will see you again on the other side, and that you will be happy to see me, if only a little bit. Please do not judge me too harshly.

Mom has asked that when she dies, her ashes will be mixed with yours. I hope that would give you some comfort. Until then what we have left of you will be safeguarded, and our memories of you will be cherished in our hearts forever.

Thank you for sharing your life and times with us. We would do it over in a heartbeat.