RIP Simon

Simon, our 13 year old mixed breed disabled pup, passed away peacefully in his sleep last night.

I got Simon for John for his 21st birthday. John had just bought a house and wanted a dog but was pretty specific about the size of dog he wanted. Not knowing (or bothering to do a lot of research) we found a mixed breed litter down in MS. I like to say we rescued him even though I don't think he was in any danger, but the conditions of the place we went were not favorable.

John picked out Simon almost immediately. I really wanted him to get one of the girls because they were fluffy and calm and cute. Instead he gets the one that immediately jumps out of his hand when he picks him up. Simon wouldn't ride in John's lap on the way home. He insisted on riding in the floorboard, shaking the whole way. That ride home solidified in my mind that John was going to be an excellent father. He was so calm and loving to the sweet scared pup. It just made my heart melt.

That first night was rough. Simon was covered in ticks. John had to work, so I enlisted the help of my friend Terry. Terry had the unfortunate job of holding Simon down, helping me remove all the ticks and bathing him with flea/tick shampoo. Let's just say, it took awhile for Simon to like Terry again. I remember counting when we were all done and there being over 30 ticks on the ground. This puppy was only 6 weeks old. He weighed less than 10 pounds. He was tiny. 30 ticks on a dog that small left very little surface area for anything else.  Thank heavens he didn't have any side effects from all those ticks!

Simon, God love him, wasn't going to win any beauty pageants. He had a face only a momma and daddy could love! But his eyes..there was something almost human about his eyes. He really didn't have 'dog' eyes. I don't think I will ever see another dog as long as I live that had eyes like Simon.

One of the few times Simon got groomed.

Simon would also never win any obedience classes. Oh sure, John and Jason taught him how to sit, shake and roll over (he always protested the roll over part with a couple growls before actually doing it), but he also had an irritable streak. He only acted out when people actually did things to him (like stepping on him or showing aggression toward other people) but we were kind of scared when kids came along. Simon showed us we had little to be scared of. Evan (unlike some adults) knew to treat Simon with respect and always was very gentle. Simon was always so good with both the boys. He was very patient with large amounts of petting and even some slip ups where the boys would fall over him, step on him, or even, pet a little too rough. He never ever showed any aggression toward the boys.

Simon had a tragic accident sometime around 7 years ago. We don't know what happened, but he injured the vertebrae in his back. Even though we took him in at 5pm when we found him unable to walk, even though the amazing and talented vet, Dr. Horn, drove 2 hours from Little Rock to perform 2 hour emergency back surgery at 9pm, and us doing strenuous physical therapy on a dog who did not want to do therapy (remember getting him to swim in that above ground pool, John?), he never fully recovered use of his legs. He could wag his tail and feel his feet, but he couldn't move anything. We were told he wasn't in pain but would never walk again. We committed at that point to take care of a paralyzed dog. It was a hard road. Those first 4 weeks had us questioning our decision. We got through it. Simon learned how to scoot around using his front legs, and we learned exactly how to help him go to the bathroom. (We did buy him a custom made doggie wheel chair, but he wanted nothing to do with it.) It was not only a growing experience for everyone, it was a bonding experience. Simon learned to trust us more and we learn empathy. 

Even in Simon's death, I can see God's hand at work. I prayed specific prayers last night when I knew he was going downhill. 1. Simon wouldn't have to undergo tests and scans when we knew he was dying. 2. His death would be more peaceful than Lilly's. 3. He wouldn't die alone. All three were granted to me. And I thank God for that. It has made coping today and little less painful. I get to share how God works on all the little details of my life through sharing Simon's story.

Simon - I really hope you enjoyed us. We enjoyed you. We loved you in all your difficulties and faults just like you accepted and loved me for our difficulties and faults. Just like Lilly, you were ours. You were a huge part of our family for 13 years. Tell Lilly hello and I'll see you over that rainbow bridge.