Ramblings....

July 25th, 2025 we lost our beloved pup Poe. Poe was only 3 years old. He was such a special boy for so many reasons, and I want to share why.

Poe came into our lives at a time Pat so needed a companion. He needed to find a pal that could give him unconditional love. And that is just what Poe did. He wanted a puppy, so we could try to train him and thought it would also be easier for our kitty Luna to accept. We found a man who had puppies he was trying to home before taking to a shelter. We drove to his place and met 2 pups. One of those little boys came home with us at 11 weeks old. We named him Poe, after Edgar Allan Poe since he seemed so "goth". He was anything but.

We worked with a trainer, tried to crate train, teach him tricks and commands. Some stuck, some did not. When we got back his DNA it told us he was mostly Chow, followed by Shepherd, Basset Hound, Cattle Dog, and others. The Chow stunned us, but when that tail showed up we saw the Chow. He was the clumsiest, stubbornest, derpiest, happiest, sweetest boy ever. None of those breeds seemed to show up in what he grew into. It was hilarious.

As he grew into his giant paws, he landed around 64 pounds. He loved to cuddle, eat, grab every stick he could find, run, play with other dogs, visit with anyone, play tug, show you his peen, sleep on his pillows, and go everywhere with us.

And he went everywhere with us. Before the seizures started, we basically took him everywhere. He went to Utah, Paso Robles (a few times), Arizona, Idyllwild, Ojai, Lake Gregory, Joshua Tree, many winery visits in Temecula, everywhere. After the seizures started in November of 2024 he was with Pat or/and I 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He never left our side.

He loved his gramma. He loved people and other dogs so much. He loved adventures. He loved walks. He loved food. He loved sticks and benebones and squeaky toys. He loved his playdates with his girlfriend Mia - in fact a playdate with Mia was his last good day.

When the seizures began, Pat and I did everything we possibly could for him. We worked diligently with a Vet Neurologist, trying to manage this beast of a disease. We got an MRI and Spinal Tap. He was allergic to the most effective seizure med. So many meds he was on and we tried. Nothing seemed to work, and he only got worse. Our Dr said he was one of the most severe cases she had seen since we could not manage it with the multiple things we tried. But in between the sleepless nights, PTSD, multiple Dr visits, ER visits - we packed his time with love and play and as normal/happy of a life we could give him. When his quality of life became compromised we had to say goodbye.

To say we are gutted is an understatement. It's like we lost a limb. We were truly this little family. Pat Dad, me Mom, Luna Big Sis and our boy Poe. I've had many fur babies in my life that I've loved with all my heart and soul. Poe was special. His life was much too short and this whole fucking thing is so unfair. I'm devastated, angry and heartbroken. I know time will heal but there is a hole in our lives now. We all feel it.

We love you our sweet boi.