. . . PIFFLESQUEAK, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 14 May 2008. Maureen Scott writes:

With great sadness, we sent Pifflesqueak the Toy Poodle over The Rainbow Bridge yesterday afternoon. She was very ill with Cushing's disease and life had become a burden too great for her to continue to bear. She would have been 16 years old in June.

She was a gorgeous puppy, very happy and wag-wag-waggy. Our Chow adopted her and Squeak spent her puppyhood, and beyond, curled up in the Chow's luxurious mane.

Once the Chow went off on her own adventure shortly after Angie joined the household, Squeak decided she would be the Airedale CEO. She kept Angie in line and expected Ange to be her personal bodyguard. Angie obliged. Then Murphy the Wonder Dog arrived. Blind as a bat, Murphy had the unfortunate habit of stepping on Squeak's toes, earning him a number of sharp nips and resulting in some ear-piercing shrieks even he could hear plainly. Along came the Littlest Lunatic and Ms Pix and finally Murphee the Maniac. In between were various fosters -- Sadie, Orion, a number of others and finally, Judy. Until the past year, Squeak kept them all in order. They were her personal groupies. She reminded me greatly of Jennyanydots, the old Gumbie cat from the musical, Cats. Like Jenny did with the mice, Pifflequeak ruled the Airedales with a stern paw. We think she truly believed she was an Airedale . . . .

The house seems very empty today. It's astonishing how big a gap the loss of one very small dog can leave. The Airedales are off-kilter. They're very quiet for such normally bumptious creatures.

Please look for Pifflesqueak's bright and shining star in the sky. It will be the small, sparkly one just to the left of Murphy's and slightly to the right of Angie's . . . . She was a very good girl . . . .

Sadly,
Maureen & Jim
Courtenay, Pixie & Murphee

2001: Piffles with Murphy (@RB), whose story can be read HERE
	Piffles in her ADD (Andréa's Doggie 'Danas, alas, no longer available) bandana
2004: Piffles on Courtenay's website, which can be read HERE
July 2005: Piffles in her Pirata de México Fundraiser bandana; Pirata's story can be read HERE
September 2005: Piffles in her Katrina "A-Team" Trip Fundraiser bandanas; the Katrina "A-Team" Trip story can be read HERE
BOBMYFORMERBOSS ANDERSON: I always think of Pifflesqueak as a pup -- certainly not as a 16-year-old dowager . . . I guess because of the key role she played in 'The Circus'! Much Zen & my best. CHRISTINE & TIM SHEFFER: Piffles - a great dog who did great deeds. Poodles & Airedales make a fantastic team. We share your grief and understand how empty a house can be. JEANNE PLAUTH: With all your wonderful writing, Pifflesqueak will always remain a main character in all our hearts. I am sorry you had to let her go. Goldie & Pifflesqueak will now share stories and I can just imagine a Story Hour at The Rainbow Bridge.

IF I SHOULD GROW FRAIL

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain does keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done
For this - the last battle - can't be won.

You will be sad I understand
But don't let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must now be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We've been so close - we two - these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Julia Napier, copyright 1999

[My thanks to Sande Mancini for sending me this poem]

RETURN TO
FRIENDS OF AIREDALES MEMORIAL FUND

RETURN TO
AIREDALES IN MEMORIAM

The loss of a dog is undeniably difficult. Thankfully, there are good books on the subject and local bereavement groups. Three U.S. veterinary schools maintain hotlines for those seeking counseling:

 University of Florida - (904) 392-4700 ext. 4080

 Michigan State University - (517) 336-2696

 University of California - (916) 752-4200

-- from 365 Days of Dogs Calendar

These pages contain many, many links to other pet-grief pages

 PETS-GRIEF SUPPORT PAGE

 AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PET LOSS PAGE

Thanks to Jamie Hare for the Animated Airedale Graphics

Thanks to Karen Clouston for the Airedale Graphics

dogs have joined Misha (@RB), April (@RB), Cari, Rico, RosieVi & Daisy2Legs on the couch (where else?) since 16 AUGUST 1996. We hope you all were comfy!!

INTRODUCING MISHA (@RB) & APRIL (@RB)
CARI, RICO, ROSIEVI & DAISY2LEGS

Remember to bring along your virtual pooper-scooper!