Seamus 1996 - 2009

Seamus, our much loved family pet, died Saturday from cancer. He suffered little as the end came quickly. Seamus entered our lives as a hyperactive puppy in the winter of 1997. As a puppy, he chewed everything from sandals to baseball caps, an acivity exacerbated by the lack of a steady supply of chew toys. What made him unique was an extremely happy attitude, his boundless energy and his love for snow. He played well with people and dogs and would knock over children in his excitement over seeing someone his own size. He would greet all who arrived with forceful enthusiasm.

One summer weekend, Seamus made his way up to a cottage in Muskoka. I was called up from the water to see if he was alright. Once I got up there I witnessed him running laps, full speed, around the cottage. This lasted for about 20 minutes. He wasn't chasing anything and wasn't being coaxed by anybody. He just loved to run.

On an extremely hot Saturday in Toronto, I took him to a local dog park. It must have been more than 30 degrees. There were probably 20 dogs in the park and he ran to join the fun. Over the course of an hour the other dogs took refuge in the shade and went on home. New dogs arrived. Seamus continued. The new dogs would tire. Seamus continued. Another set of dogs. Seamus stops to throw up from the heat. Then starts to run again immediately. There was no quit in him. People would ask "How old is your puppy?" and I would reply "7 years".

Seamus also liked to wrestle. He was game against Brian or myself. He knew not to bite. Brian taught him that when wearing gloves it was ok to go all out. He would bite and fight as hard as he could but when the gloves came off he would immediately stop.

Seamus had a bit of genius in him too. Once Christmas morning the family was settling around the tree preparing to open the sea of gifts in front of us. All of sudden, Seamus jumped into the gift pile and knocking gifts around. He then jumped out towing a gift bag with his name on it. Who had taught him to read his own name? (Perhaps it was the fragrance of the bone in the bag. Perhaps.)

When I lived with my mother in Toronto I would walk him each morning before work. I would take him to the park and leave him run and sniff. It was exciting for him and very meditative for me. When I moved on, I missed those walks. Today, I miss them even more.