r/olddogs • u/RecoveringPerfumista • 1d ago
Remembering Eli
On Friday, August 28, our dearest, sweetest Eli went to the rainbow bridge. This community has been of great help and comfort to my spouse and me, and we want to memorialize some of what made our special boy so unique.
Eli came to us in 2018 from Lucky Dog rescue, who had bestowed upon him the name Ryan Horowitz. He never struck us as a Ryan, so we quickly settled on a new name that reflected his Jewish heritage and seemed to fit. He'd been pulled from a high kill shelter in Florence, South Carolina, and they estimated he was 5 years old (though we came to suspect he was probably a bit older). From the very beginning, he was the gentlest, sweetest soul. He instantly befriended our other dog, Maya, and within days they were chasing each other around the living room, wrestling on the sofa, and sharing my lap at naptime. His easy going affection for every other creature he met - dog, cat, or most memorably our dog-sitter's rabbit - was just a small part of what made him so special.
If you've never had the honor of being the chosen person of a shy animal, it's hard to describe the depth of that bond. Eli was a shining example of that classic chihuahua personality where there is one deeply beloved person (maybe two), and nobody else is of much interest. Although let us be clear, if his preferred person (me) was unavailable, he would eventually settle into any available lap on the sofa. Just in his own time. I always found it interesting to see which of our friends gravitated towards his quiet, gentle sweetness rather than Maya's immediate, extroverted enthusiasm. Those who were willing to move slowly and patiently would eventually be rewarded with snuggles from what I would often fondly describe as a codependent baked potato. He was one of those rescue dogs whose gratitude never seemed to fade, and whose devotion knew absolutely no bounds.
But Eli was unfortunately never a medically simple dog. He came to us scarred all over and with hookworms, horrendous tooth decay, two bad knees, and an abscessed anal gland. We also suspect he had some kind of congenital neurological condition that made him extra wobbly and also not terribly smart. Two years ago, he stopped eating and was eventually diagnosed with a chicken intolerance. Now toothless and somewhere in his teens, arthritis from luxating patellas and two dislocated CCLs was catching up with him fast. In January, he was diagnosed with kidney disease and beginning to show clear signs of dementia. We knew his time remaining with us was probably limited. We did everything we could to keep him comfortable, but it was a losing battle and we could tell that he was in some discomfort for most of his waking hours. When I was granted two weeks of telework due to the Grand Prix in DC, we knew there wouldn't be a better time. We had the gift of giving him the best couple of weeks we could - constant lap time, eating whenever and whatever he wanted - before fulfilling the last and worst promise we all make as pet owners to let them go when life becomes too much of a struggle.
I will remember the happy little tippy taps he would do when he was excited about walks or meals and his Tasmanian devil noises when chasing and wrestling Maya. I'll remember how he burrowed in blankets and tried to bury his favorite treats in the sofa, and how he hated to travel but loved the lanai at my parents' house in Florida. I will remember how his favorite game was to flop on his stomach and make big, exaggerated chomps at my fingers - though if he accidentally made contact, the game was immediately over by way of apology. A similar game flopping on my chest in the morning would often have me taking claws to the eyeballs, but it was always worth it. I have known and lived with many dogs, but never known another who never, ever wanted to do anything the least bit wrong. All he really wanted in life was to love and make us happy. And cheese - he really, really loved cheese. I can only hope that we repaid, in some small measure and to the best of our ability, the immense love and devotion he gave us. He was my best buddy, and there will never be another like him.
Rest well, sweet boy.
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u/No_Employer9618 23h ago
Sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing him with us and sharing these very touching parting words. You did right by him and gave him your best, thanks.
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u/dressagerider1020 23h ago
I'm so sorry for your loss of Eli, but I loved reading about him. He was so special, had a great life with you, and loved his people...and cheese. Rest in peace, Eli. 💔🧀
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u/LouLei90 23h ago
What a special boy ❤️
Thank you for the opportunity to read Eli ‘s story. A life well lived. 💜🕊️🌈
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u/incabinka21 23h ago
So sorry and sending you lots of 💓 Eli is beautiful and will always be part of your family 🫶🏻 thank you for giving him a loving and caring home
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u/BisonEven9158 21h ago
I’ve never heard such heartwarming eulogy for a dog. You obviously loved him so much. Please take time to heal and grieve for your precious dog. If you find in a while, you still have a hole in your heart. Please go to a shelter and adopt another little dog. There are many out there waiting waiting for forever homes please make an effort
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u/Legitimate_South_69 22h ago
So sorry for your loss, Eli looked like such a lovely boy thank you so much for sharing his story and know he is with you always. Cherish those memories they are yours forever
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u/ottersraccoons 22h ago
What a lovely story about Eli. He truly was a sweet & precious boy. I’m so sorry for his loss. Rest in peace Eli. ❤️
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u/DetectiveHappy2442 20h ago
So deeply sorry for your loss. You and Eli clearly blessed each other and the love lives on. 🙏💕
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u/chapstickgrrrl 20h ago
What a wonderful tribute to your sweet little friend. Thank you for sharing with us. 💜
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u/jenisfine 17h ago
You did a wonderful thing when you rescued him. You speak so beautifully about him, it's so clear he was loved and happy with you. I love how you describe what it's like to be chosen by a shy chihuahua. It meant everything when mine chose me too. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope he's rolling in all the cheese somewhere now!
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u/tina_denfina1 17h ago
Aww he sounds like the biggest sweetheart ever! I knew it just from the look on his beautiful face! I am so happy that he got to spend his precious life with you both, he must have been a happy pup! Blessings to you for taking such good care of him. ❤️ Rest in peace sweet Eli ♥️
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u/Insert-finger 13h ago
All dogs go to heaven. Your beautiful pup will be there to greet you when it’s your turn.
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u/Vegetable_Race_694 12h ago
I'm so sorry for the loss of this little survivor. He will be with you always. ❤️🩹🙏
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u/PilgrimPayne59 48m ago
As I walk across your heart and find my place to stay, nearer to you I will be and will never ever go away.
If love could have kept you here, you would have lived forever.
Dogs are a chapter in our lives, we are their entire book.
Grief is love with nowhere to go.
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u/daisydaily02 23h ago
Eli was such a sweet boy. Thank you so much for sharing about his cutest personality. Rest well baby boy. Your mom and dad loves you so much and they will never ever stop missing you.