Ringo was a puppy mill survivor that I adopted from the National Mill Dog Rescue in Payton, CO. If I had a million dollars to give them for the work that they do and for the gift that Ringo was in our lives, it would not be enough by a long shot. I remember seeing the video of them taking him off the rescue bus. With all his unkempt white hair matted to him, he still had a tail wagging like crazy. I said to my other dog – “that’s our wild and crazy guy.” I wish I had understood then, that time would be so short, only 6 years. Honestly, I would have quit my job if I could have and spent every second with him. It still would not have been enough.
This guy stole our hearts. Even through the heartworm treatments, the knee surgery, the leg amputation and then the subsequent cancer that was taking him from us, he still had that happy and beautiful tail wag. He slept in my arms when things were bad for either one of us and we comforted each other. Holding him was like hugging pure love, how he would just melt into me and help me breathe. He played with and cheered up my other dog, even when Elmo acted like he wanted him to go away.
Ringo was so soft, fluffy and cuddly and he used his cuteness as his super power-to make friends with small children so they would give him belly rubs, and to get our attention when things felt hard. That tail wag is something I will never forget. Even on three legs, he would lose his mind every time I came home. Greeting me at the door with so much excitement that he raced around the house. Sometimes he would fall over and then get right back up to run around in circles again, giving out an excited little cry. Even when cancer was filling his lungs with masses so he couldn’t breathe, he greeted everyone who came to the door that way. And every dog and person he saw, when on a walk, heard his little squeal and cry because he just wanted to meet and love every living being he saw. This felt like a real miracle, given how abused we knew he had been.
I’ll never forget the first time we went for a walk. He had no idea how to walk on a leash and when he saw grass he started rolling in it, doing that snoopy happy dance on his back. Till the day he died, being outside and laying in the grass gave him so much pleasure. He also did that crazy happy dance after every meal. If you ignored it, he would run to you and do it at your feet till you gave him a proper belly rub and played with him and his toys.
Even if I know he is at peace, it breaks my heart to lose this little angel. The only thing that keeps me going, is that he taught me to find joy in every moment and savor the life you have. No matter what sickness, pain, or abuse, enjoy life, because it’s good to be alive.
You forever have my heart, Ringo. May the softness, joy and wonder linger with us even as you have passed on.
