F. Scott Fitzpug

F. Scott Fitzpug, 2001-2010

We lost our beloved pug today. It was peaceful, but we're devastated. I wrote this beforehand, knowing that this might be coming. Writing is how I deal with grief. I can barely talk but do want to share our story.

This is the story of a girl and her pug, and it's one of the hardest I've ever written.

In June of 2001, I had just moved back to Birmingham and was a single girl living in an apartment on Southside. I'd become fixated with getting a pug since first seeing one in a pet store window in Sarasota. At the time, I wasn't ready to commit to a dog -- I was working long hours at a newspaper, a life not really conducive to animals -- or much else really.

So when I moved back to the Magic City and got a job with more normal hours, I combed the classifieds looking for pug puppies. One Sunday I found a listing for a litter in Cullman. I got in my car and drove up there "just to look."

 That's where I found him and fell in love with those huge eyes and loud pant. Next thing I knew he was strapped into the passenger seat, and our adventure began.

I called my parents from the road to tell them. "You did what?" But he quickly became a member of the family, F. Scott Fitzpuppy/ F. Scott Fitzpug.

Three months later, on my second date with a chemistry professor, he came to the door with a nylabone. With the girl came the dog -- in fact by then I had a license plate that said "GRLNPUG." When I drove back and forth to Tuscaloosa to visit him, F. Scott came with me. When I went to Japan with my parents to visit my brother, Shane kept F. Scott and housebroke him. It was a feat I could never do on my own, and those poor hardwood floors on 31st Street took a beating. (Now that apartment is an upscale loft -- hope that they refinished the hardwoods.)

When we got married three years later, we had our photos made with F. Scott, who was wearing a beautiful collar of white roses. He stood so proud in the pictures, even if he couldn't be at the ceremony (pugs and heat don't go well together). That was the photo that ran in the paper.

In our vows, which we wrote, we both committed to a house full of books and dogs -- pugs specifically. We made that vow come true a few months later, with money from the wedding, when we drove to Florida to pick up his pug sister, Lolita.

The two became best buddies, even if her crazy pug puppy energy drove him nuts from time to time.

A year and a half later we welcomed our third "pug" into the house -- baby Nate. Although we worried how the dogs would react, they were so gentle with him. F. Scott would curl up protectively over his bassinet, and Lola thought he was her baby.

A girl and her pug became two pugs and a girl, and a baby, and a husband. And we've spent the past four years together. F. Scott started having his challenges the past year or so, going blind because of a genetic retina condition, probably due to overbreeding. He (and Lola) had a bad bout of pancreatitis last year, and we thought we might lose him. We had another year.

Although he slowed down and bumped into walls, he still was our faithful companion, curling up in our lap, giving unconditional kisses, and getting excited over the prospect of Cheerios.

I love him so much I can barely put it into words. For nearly nine years he's been my sidekick, and a piece of my heart walks around in that fawn, snorting little creature.

I remember right before I got him thinking, "if you get a dog, you're going to fall in love, and someday, it's going to break your heart to say goodbye."

  

But there's been a lot of love in between.We love you F. Scott, now and forever.

Comments

[Stephanie]

Oh, what a good dog. F. Scott: You were the first pug I knew well and you set a standard. With your black velvet ears and curly-q tail, you were quite a handsome character. I smile when I think of you and Buddha running around in circles in the living room, being crazy. You brought many smiles into this world. If I had a tail, I would be wagging it in honor of you, my friend. The world was a better place because of you. I know you and Buddha are together --- don't break too many hearts in doggie heaven! Woof! Stephanie

[Hugh]

I'm sad that F. Scott is gone, but he will always be with us in our thoughts. I remember how you took us to the pet shop to see pugs when you lived in Sarasota. You waited until you returned to Birmingham to find just the right one; one as unique as you are. He was the best, and you have been the best for F. Scott. Farewell, friend. I'll miss the licks and snorts. Love, Dad

[Megan]

F. Scott, the wonder pug. He brought so much joy to all who met him. I'll miss sneaking him extra Cheerios while Lola wasn't looking.

[Molly Gold]

I'm so sorry for your heartbreak Erin....the love of a pet is the love of family.

[Will Blog for Showz]

I am so so sorry for your loss. I used to be such a puppy person, but once I had a kid, I was so afraid of him (and me) getting attached to a pet, then having his heart broken if something happened. Thanks for the reminder of all the good stuff about furry family. I'll be thinking about you guys.

[angryworkingmom]

Erin-
So sorry to hear about F. Scott! The first dog to welcome the hubby, the first house, the baby..I feel for you deeply. We had a Bobby..Bobby McGee to be exact (Actually Robert McGee). We lost him after 10 years together..I still miss my super duper chocolate lab.

Hugs and kisses!
AWM

[Shelly DeButts]

I remember Shane calling your apartment Urinetown because of the housebreaking issue - I thought that was about the funniest thing I had ever heard! We met about the same time F. Scott came along not too long after I moved to Birmingham. So, my memories of life here include him almost as frequently as they do you.

Even before Nate and Lola came along, I could tell F. Scott was a cool, laid-back kind of dog. I remember going to Shane's old house for a cook-out with Olivia barely old enough to walk. He was so patient as she slapped at him and tugged on him. He gave her snorts and kisses and she giggled all day.

I'll spend today revisiting other sweet memories of him and be happier because of it. Yes, they are with us for such a short time, but they bring so much to our lives that I wouldn't trade them for anything.

[Sara]

I am so sorry to hear about F. Scott. He sounds like he was a wonderful companion. I only wish I had met him. As a huge animal lover and owner of two sweet puppy dogs and someone whose lost a pet, I know how difficult it is. Again, so sorry to hear about your loss.

[Dogingham]

Erin, our condolences to you and your family.

In response to Kipling's last question below "So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?"...because their love and unconditional loyalty are both worth every tear drop.

The Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

[Lindsey]

I told myself I wasn't gonna cry -- and I didn't, until I read this. Please let me know if I can do anything.
Many hugs.

[Erin Stephenson]

I wept when I read your sweet tribute to F. Scott, Erin. So very sorry for your los.

[Sheree]

What a touching tribute. Although I never met F. Scott, my heart was broken when I learned that he was gone.

Mr. F. Scott Fitzpug's personality shines through these pictures and your words, Erin. Thanks for sharing. I know you'll grieve for a long time, but just keeping remembering the great times. And he's no longer feeling any pain or discomfort.

Your tweet about picturing F. Scott playing dog poker in heaven brought a smile. I can totally picture that.

BTW, on Feb. 7 my family lost Sparky, our old farm dog. Sparky had been through everything--from having toes cut off in a tractor accident to scrapes with coyotes to guarding over four orphaned kittens (one born with no eyes).

I'm pretty sure Sparky is also a card shark so I hope F. Scott has his poker-face ready.

[Trina]

Oh so heartbreaking. I am so sorry to hear about this. I'm not even a dog person and it made me tear up.

[Erin Street]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful and kind comments and memories. It truly has been so comforting to know that other people understand what we're going through. He was a legend in his day, and we'll carry his memory with us forever.

[Dolly]

I feel very lucky to have known Mr. F. Scott, and traveled most of this journey with you!!! You will never quit missing him, I know that from experience. But you'll laugh as you remember all the funny times he gave you, and you'll never ever forget him!!!! He was one of a kind!!!

[Sue Heddleston]

I also wept reading your tribute to F. Scott...we lost our Jack & Jill last summer, it's just so hard. I love this phrase "when someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure". Take care and give Lola a hug from us.

[Wilsonsway]

We lost our pet last year around my birthday and it tore us up losing him. He was a fighter to the end and we actually thought he was making progress from this 'auto-immune' disease he came down with. He was a Peek-a-Poo we named 'Puck' after some mischievous character from Midsummer Night's Dream. He passed away in my wife's arms that night and my daughter gave me the poem below afterwards. I have it framed above my desk here in my office. I hope it gives you some peace as it did me.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...