We lost our very good dog
In our last two posts (here and here), we mentioned how our 14 year old Boston Terrier, Sox, had gotten ill and was hospitalized while we were traveling in Morocco. We cut our trip short and returned to LIsbon. Sox was in the hospital for two more days. After her release she had multiple tests and was on a complicated regimen of drugs. Some were prescribed to treat problems , others were to counteract the side effects of the original prescriptions.
For a month, she was up and down. Some days she was energetic and ready for action. Other days she was lethargic and had difficulty moving.
It became clear to us that this was probably how her life would be from then on. We have always used “quality of life” as our yardstick for evaluating the care and treatment of our pets. We did not expect that Sox’s life was going to improve, so we had the difficult conversation with the veterinarians about how pet euthanasia was done in Portugal.
Two weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, Sox was worse and we knew we had reached the end.
We took a long walk that morning, let her play fetch for a few minutes, and wandered through a lush green park. At the vet hospital Mary held Sox in her lap. Sox passed quickly, quietly, and without any pain.
Even though we knew the decision we made was the best one for Sox, it has been a difficult time for us. We have grieved and cried, but we never second-guessed ourselves. We are getting better, though there is still a big hole in our hearts and a noticeable absence in our apartment.
Today, however, we want to celebrate Sox’s life with some stories and pictures.
Early days
We got Boston Red Sox from a breeder in Ravenna, Ohio in August, 2010 when she was 8 weeks old. Sox was our second Boston Terrier. We had gotten Boston Beans three years earlier, from a different breeder in Ohio. Beans was a tiny Boston, but in the beginning, Sox could walk underneath her.
Dogs just want to play
At the time we got Sox, we were living in a house with a pool. The pool cover was like a trampoline. One of Sox’s favorite games was to chase the spray from a hose across the cover.
Sox was an active dog throughout her life. Early on, she learned to catch a frisbee and was ready to play almost every day. Carrying a frisbee to the park practically guaranteed a good outing. In Parede, there was a big lawn where she had plenty of room to play and in Lisbon she played in Campo Grande.
Life on the farm
Sox came into her own when we moved to a small farm in southern Indiana. At first we had to keep the dogs fenced in, but over time they learned the boundaries of the place and could run free. Sox would spend hours outdoors, roaming over the six acres. She often came home proudly wearing the stink of whatever pile of animal poop she’d found to roll in.
Boston Terriers are some of the funniest dogs on the planet. But they are also terriers, with an innate nature to hunt. Sox liked to chase the squirrels and would wait patiently at the bottom of whatever tree they climbed. In eight years on the farm, she chased dozens, but never caught one.
It was a different story with the chickens. We learned the hard way that free range chickens and Boston Terriers could not share the same space. One or the other needed to be penned up at all times.
A frequent sight at the end of long days were two tired dogs sprawled on the couch. They weren’t the best of friends, but were pretty good snuggle buddies.
Moving to Portugal
We lost Beans a few months before we moved to Portugal, so Sox traveled alone. Getting her over here was the most complicated part of the move. Snub-nosed dogs, like Bostons and Pugs, require special handling when they fly. Sox was transported by Lufthansa Cargo from Boston to Frankfurt, Germany and then to Porto.
Getting acclimated to life in the city
There was a lot to get used to in Portugal. Not much grass, lots of cobblestones. Lots of new smells, no squirrels. In Porto, Sox got acclimated to the noise of the city and learned to be on a leash whenever we went out. She memorized the route from our apartment to her favorite park and would practically drag us there every morning.
Later, in Parede and then Lisbon, she learned her way around the neighborhoods and staked out her favorite spots for walks and frisbee games.
And traveling around Portugal
In addition to our day-to-day routines, Sox traveled with us on several road trips – to Aveiro, Nazaré (twice), Coimbra, Obidos, Setúbal, and the Algarve. She didn’t care much for the journeys, but she enjoyed the destinations.
A few more memories
Here are a few photos that remind us of the happy times we had with Sox.
Sox and Mary at the farm house – 2014
Catching up on the news
Hunting for mice in Porto – 2021
Humoring the humans in Aveiro – 2021
“You want me to go where?”
Staying warm in a Portuguese apartment – 2022
Beans, Sox, and our daughter’s Frenchie, Pearl, dressed up for Christmas – 2016
On the beach in Salema – 2022
Enjoying the sunset in Nazaré – 2022
Sunbathing in Lisbon – 2024
Helping us decide what to see next in Lisbon – 2024
With Ajah, our trusted dog sitter – 2023
Christmas time in Obidos – 2023
Our last picture with Sox – May, 2024
2010 – 2024
We’ll close by saying a sincere “Thank you” to the staff and doctors at OneVet Hospital Berna in Lisbon. Everyone we met there showed real empathy and compassion for Sox.
Thanks for reading this week.
Until next time / Até a próxima vez
Mary and Mike
The Cook and The Writer
I’m so sorry for your loss of your beloved dog. What a lovely tribute you’ve written. They leave such a big hole in our lives, it’s very hard to get used to their absence.
Thank you, Maggie.
I am soooo sorry to hear about SOX. We will be thinking of you guys. So hard!!! ;(
Thank you, April.
Mike and Mary, I am so sorry about Sox. I am fascinated by the loyalty and friendship of a dog in my own life and I can’t imagine the role Sox played as you moved abroad. I am certain he was the solid ground you needed as you found a new home. I hope you find new routines in these sorrowful days and have a blast recalling The Adventures of Sox as you did in this post!
Stella are still on Camino. She woke up on the middle of the night with a bad type of stomach bug… coming out of both ends. It was my turn a few nights ago. In short, today is a rest day which we have had none of so far. It kind of feels like a mandated “retreat” as I sit next to her. A kind of weird joy along this trail!
Keep writing.
Thanks, Stacy, for your kind words. I hope you and Stella are doing better. Getting sick when you’re traveling is never pleasant. I can’t imagine how rough it must be on the Camino. Take good care of each other.
Mike
We’ve also had to make that decision and know how hard it is. I’m really sorry you’ve lost Sox, but I smiled when I saw her running on the pool cover! (Pretty sure that’s the same one Jeff fell through once) 😄
Thanks, Karen. Yes, that was the same pool cover.
Love that dog
And she loved you, too.
Hey Mike and Mary. I am so so sorry and sad to hear about Sox and his passing. He lived a great life and had the best parents. I’ve learned over the years how much a dog can become part of the family. Hugs and prayer going your way. Love you guys.
Thank you, John.
Dear Mary & Mike, Well….I have tears as I’m typing this. It is SO incredibly hard to have to let go of such a special part of our families. I, too, had to make the same decision in April of this year. Our Maltese, Dallas, would have been 17 next month….and I had so hoped we could celebrate that birthday with him….but it just wasn’t “in the cards”. Making the decision to let him go was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I’m sure you both get that pang of sadness every time you come home and they aren’t there to greet you – that’s been the hardest part for me.
I’ll be thinking of you both and hope you have solace in knowing that you gave Sox such a wonderful life….truly a lucky dog! I believe Sox and Dallas are both chasing squirrels and butterflies together in heaven! Sending hugs!
Thank you Sheryl. Those squirrels don’t stand a chance!
How wonderful for Sox to have great parents and fun adventures. It’s so sad when we lose our fur babies. We understand and send our love ❤️
Thank you, Alice.
I can’t say anything that hasn’t already been said. Just know my heart breaks for you and I know exactly how you feel. Someone once said that losing a pet hurts so much because we cared so much and it is a tribute to the joy they brought us.
Thank you, Jana. I think that’s true.
Mike and Mary, sorry to hear about Sox. I know you will miss him.
Ruth
Thank you, Ruthie.
I am certainly sad for you and fully understand the pain losing a belove fur buddy. We have had Golden Retrievers around the house for over 40 years and it is harder each time. I’m sure you Sox had a wonderful life with your care and love.
Thanks, Pat.
We were so sorry to read about Sox’s passing, but looks like you guys gave her a good life. Most dogs don’t get to travel the world.
Thank you both.
Mary and Mike,
What a beautiful tribute to your sweet Sox. She had the best life a dog could ever dream of, filled with Frisbees, fun and lots of love. The loving attention you gave her speaks volumes about the kind and compassionate people you are. Big hugs to you both.
Thank you, Melinda.
So sorry for your loss…Sox was a wonderful companion to you and your family and a great travel buddy. I’m sure she will be missed. We had the same experience with our two Golden Retrievers and how difficult it was when they passes. Great memories will live on in your hearts! We love and miss you! Sue and Eddie
Hi Sue and Eddie, Thank you!
Mike & Mary, our pets allow us to experience the pure essence of love. Maybe that’s why it hurts so much when they leave our lives and bring tears to our eyes many years later.
Hugs to you both and let your memories give you comfort and smiles.
Linda
Thank you, Linda. It’s nice to hear from you.
Mike and Mary,
So sorry to hear 👂 of the lost ss of your beloved Sox. Dogs have special personalities and I’m sure you were the best of friends. You made the right decision. We treat dogs with more compassion than people sometimes and I’m glad we can so we can alleviate the suffering they are having at the end of their lives. The is one of the biggest acts of love and unselfishness you have your dog. Hope healing domes a little each day.
Thank you, Gayna.
Mike and Mary, as fellow dog lovers, Keith and i totally understand the ups and downs of this painful transition period. They leave such a hole in our lives when they leave. We’ve had to make the same difficult decision on multiple occasions and often questioned if it was too soon. But our Vet always tells us “its ok to be a day too early, but its not ok to be a day too late. You made the right decision. What a great life Sox (and Beans) had with the two of you. You are great dog parents. Love all the Kodak moments:-). Hugs!
Thank you Debra and Keith. We had heard or read the same thing about being a day too early. That’s one of the harder things to hear, because what we really want to say is “Just one more day, please!”
Mike and Mary,
Steve and I are so sorry to hear of Sox passing away.
What a beautiful tribute this is for such a happy girl.
Katie
Thank you, Katie.
Mike and Mary, so sorry about Sox’s passing. Our pets are truly part of our lives and family and their loss touches us deeply. Thanks for sharing your grief and especially your photos of the joy Sox brought you for so long.
David
Thank you, David.
Oh, I am so very sorry to hear that Sox has passed on. I knew that she was getting up there in years and your recent posts about her illness when you were in Morocco had me worried about her. Jim and I send our deepest condolences.
Thanks, Heather and Jim.
Mike & Mary
I never met Soz bit I know Ajeh was very fond of her. Our neighbor (when I was a child) had a Boston Terrier. Smartest & most obedient dog I ever knew. She was chase me but the minute i crossed our property line she would stop. Never , ever came onto our lawn.
Thanks, Nancy. They’re stubborn dogs, too, though strong-willed might be a better description.
Mike, Mary we are so sorry to hear about Sox. We know how heartbreaking this is but know that you both gave her an amazing life. Sending love and hugs. Laure and Ann
Thank you, Laurie and Ann.
Your post was written from your hearts and was a beautiful tribute to Sox. It was an honor to have known her and she will be missed. Paul and I are sending healing thoughts to you both. -CW
Thank you, Carol and Paul.
So sorry for your loss, but what a nice life Sox had 🥰
Thank you, Stephanie.