Mago

Mago on his last day 2/24/2016

Adopted 14 July 2011 in Houston TX – died 24 February 2016 in Fayetteville AR

During Texas’ record breaking heatwave and drought of 2011 is when this old dog (10+ years according to the veterinarian) materialized at the intersection of Sylmar and Ashcroft. Because water pipes burst all over the city and, ironically, veritable geysers and lagoons sprung from the cracked pavement, I first saw him looking like an alligator-in-waiting, with only nose, eyes, and rump surfacing from a water pool in front of our house.

Covered in mosquito larvae, unneutered, unfriendly, and with advanced heartworm infestation plus every other parasite a dog can host, this was the Chow-GSD Chris and I were to adopt ... or have euthanized, because he had made his choice; no one else would do but the Liner-Proubastas.

Concerning his rescue and adoption, I wrote “Land of the Free” in my blog on 21 August 2011. The final words were:

Whoever did this to Mago, “the magician,” will go unpunished. Before he or she does it again, I hope he bleeds and dies in a gutter. Mago will not. He growls menacingly at potential adopters, lawn service trailers and yard workers, at men with long beards, at the UPS truck, at people who play the guitar, at anyone who approaches the house … Quite by accident, he has found his avocation.

Mago’s last 4 years and 8 months with us were –I hope he’d agree- worth the long, hard wait. He was feared by all, including Chris ... and I, whom he bit exclusively. He had dog and cat companions he enjoyed, the best food money can buy, constant attention and no discipline (because who dared!), and leisurely walks as long as his hips allowed ... He had the life all dogs deserve, up to the very end.

In fact, he was sedated while lapping a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Even after he was quite asleep, he kept licking ... Thus he transitioned from ecstasy to eternal slumber. And then I was finally, finally! able to hug and kiss him.

In life, only one human was able to subdue and hold Mago during an entire physical exam, on the floor and armed with just courage and patience: Dr. Robb Jones. Thanks to him and vet-tech Angela Hicks of Jones Mobile Vet Service, their professionalism and compassion, I was able to keep my promise to Mago-Man, back in 2011, of a peaceful end, sparing him the indignity of the macabre last-trip-to-the-vet.

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Note to Dave and Michelle for sending flowers...

Dear Kids:

Thank you for the flowers. Your thoughtfulness is what opened the flood of tears that the busy-ness of death had stalled. We placed them right next to Mago who laid in state with his favorite blue ball, Jain amulet, and candles to, as a friend once put it: "guide the way."

It means so much to us coming from you; all the more because you have proven, amply, you are true friends of dogs and understand what it means to have one --a challenging one at that-- as a companion.

Mago leaves a void -- as hard to explain as it is big. 

This is the picture of Mago's first hug, a few month ago, when we were crazy lucky to find Dr. Jones and Angela. Without them his peaceful end and our peace of mind would have been impossible. 

With much love and gratitude. -- Dolores