Farewell to Argos

Adopted 9 October 2016 in Fayetteville AR – died 12 September 2019 in Fayetteville 

First day

During 35 months at “LP” Argos earned a wealth of nicknames – Watto, Putifar, Digger, Argosino, Patufo ... Each one suitable to an aspect of his character, but all hidden behind a wall of total blindness.

When we adopted “Bop” (Blind Old Pup) he was was old – anyone’s guess from 9-or-10 and up, but Beagles and mixes are long lived, even surviving on pizza alone like he did for years. 

 In search of protein, he could smell an earth worm like a Hog smells buried truffles and ate them with equal gusto. Although the dietary supplement was no longer necessary, the habit persisted and soon our backyard was (and still is) like a Prarie Dog town – one of the many reminders of this gentle, introverted dog. 

 Keeping a low profile was his way of survival when he landed in the house of man payed by the Berryville, Arkansas, Sheriff's Department to shoot unclaimed dogs, but didn’t have the heart to do it. Before sharing a shanty with 58 other curs and a human underdog, Bop’s provenance is lost in time. What's known about him was told in the 10 November 2016 “Argos and Maximus ... Déjà vu.” 

 Chris and I set out to give the old hangdog a chance at some worthwhile months or years. We managed rather well and even the resident dogs and cats treated him with surprising deference. They tolerated from him what they don't from each other. 

 More remarkable is that through house training, the accidents that persisted, middle-of-the-night ear shaking (i.e. "I must go out, now."), the backyard excavation, the special needs ... I never lost patience. I didn’t raise my voice to him ever. And that was my way to atone for my uncommendable performance with another blind dog long ago. 

 Argos gradually opened up and demonstrated joy going on walks, at Chris’ arrival, food and treats ... and eventually even the petting from which he at first recoiled. 

 Age, arthritis, and kidney disease were slowing Argos down. In early September he started grunting occasionally which we understood to mean pain, but his appetite and behavior didn’t change. Until at 12:30AM of 11 September he emitted an unusual grunt and attempted to get up to go outside. I helped him and once in the carport he headed furiously up the ramp toward the street with supernatural strength and speed for an arthritic dog. He didn’t stop on the grass to relieve himself, but kept going in what can only be described as a manic pace. Up and down the driveway we went many times with no sign of relenting. 

 Where was the snail pace, the hesitation, the limping, the frequent rests ... He didn’t walk that fast when we first adopted him! 

 I thought this might be precursory to a heart attack. But 15 minutes later I was closer to it than Argos. Then he slowed down enough to coax him into the house, still in a frantic state. Eventually he agreed to lay down in his bed. 

After that episode Argos declined quickly. He stopped trying to get up, eat or drink ... the Will left him during the night's race to escape the inevitable. At noon on 12 September Dr. Robb Jones agreed that helping Argos out his state of despair would be a kindness. 

 Even so, deciding to end someone elses’ life kills a part of the one-person judge and jury. 

Life was not easy for Argos. He suffered of cataracts at a very early age judging by his name and in the opinion of veterinary ophtalmologist Mario Hodgins. Though he was spared by the sheriff’s executioner, he endured a life of squalor, with only pizzeria leftovers to share with bigger, seeing dogs ... as the scars on Argos’ handome face attested. 

Last day

 But Argos never surrendered. Little pleasures like an earth worm, a soft bed, a drink of water, an ear scratched ... meant a huge deal to him -- he was histrionic in his appreciation. Some day, I’ll find inspiration in his endurance and acceptance of things as they are. 

 Christopher and I fulfilled our commitment to him. No regrets. Just nostalgia.