Rest in Peace Joey. My brown and white (liver spotted) Dalmatian that I had for over seven years had to be put down yesterday due to multiple problems that were causing him to be in pain.
Yes, I know that not everyone is interested in hearing about my dog. Therefore for those who are in some way annoyed I apologize now, for everyone else thank you for indulging me.
Joey came into my life just before Halloween of 2010, he replaced another Dalmatian named Sparky who had died back in March of that year. I was fortunate to find him on Petfinder, a rescue group named Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue of Royersford, PA had put him up for adoption.
He was kindly brought to me because at the time I was my Mother’s caregiver and she was very sick. Joey was very agitated from his long car ride and it took about an hour for me to see his true personality. He quickly showed us how gentle and loving he was, even though he had been abused and never taken to a veterinarian while with his original owners.
Over the years Joey was the neighborhood favorite and with all the walks we took each day, we were also the unofficial safety patrol. Kids and teens would come over and pet him. He would wag his tail while taking in all the affection given to him.
When teenage girls would pet him, they often would say that he was so soft and very friendly. Joey loved people, especially small children. He would allow them to do things to him that adults could not.
I introduced many youngsters to Joey by letting the shy or scared ones to pet him on this back away from his seemingly big teeth (to them). While Joey did not often lick, he would sniff you.
He was to me my furry friend and bionic walking (exercise) machine. The poor guy developed high blood pressure and the pills caused his kidney function to deteriorate over time. The beginning of the end started about three weeks ago when I took him to a neurologist because his hind legs were getting weak and a muscle on the top right side of his head was atrophying, thus causing him to be able to chew with only one side of his mouth. In the end he was in pain and it became obvious that his pain pills were not keeping him comfortable.
Up until the end Joey could still strongly pull me when walking, but he no longer had his normal stamina. He starting having a hard time standing in place for any period of time, such as when eating. Yet he was able to get himself off an orthopedic bed that I bought up until I determined that he needed to be put to sleep.
Joey was a gentle happy dog till the end and I miss him very much.
That is my opinion- Jumpin Jersey Mike
