Farewell, Sparky. :-(

Sparky Carnes
1990 - October 3, 2007 @ 10:45 a.m.

My mother called today to inform me that my 17-year-old cocker spaniel, Sparky (aka "SparkCaaaaaarnes!") has an appointment with the vet tomorrow at 10:45 a.m. to be humanely euthanized.

This dog...what can I say? He was a "consolation gift" from an ex-boyfriend who thought I needed company while I struggled to keep myself together in the face of crushing heartbreak and venturing away from my hometown of Lexington, KY for the first time.

We lived in Charleston, SC together and were absolutely inseparable. He went everywhere with me: to Folly Beach to feed boiled peanuts to the seagulls, on excursions to Georgetown to see the shrimp boats dock, to Edisto Island to hunt for shells, to downtown Charleston to stroll the historic streets and people-watch. Every Sunday morning, I took him with me to Vickery's on Beaufain Street. We sat on the patio and I got numerous "oohs and aaahs" over how beautiful he was.

He is an exceptionally beautiful dog.


There is no question in my mind that I could not have survived the "rite of passage" I experienced in Charleston if Sparky hadn't been at my side every step of the way.

After leaving Charleston, I took him to my parents' house in KY while I was in grad school. I had every intention of reclaiming him after graduation, but he'd become so attached to my family (and vice versa), I didn't have the heart to take him away from a place that made him so happy.

My mom know how much I missed him, so she had a great idea. Whilst on a field trip with my nephew to visit a frontier woman who makes her living weaving yarn from the hair of the llamas she raises, she decided to ask her if she could weave yarn out of Sparky's hair. She said she could.

So, for the next nine months, every time Mom took Sparky next door to get groomed (my neighbor's a professional dog groomer), she took Sparky's clippings home in paper grocery bags.

Eventually, it became this:


I won a DVD of "Lilo & Stich" for calling this story in to the Bob & Sheri Chatroom several years ago. :-)

So, by this time tomorrow, Sparky will have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, a place all pets go to live out their lives playing, running, and basking in forever-sunshine and doting animal-lovers.

I have no doubt Sparky will have unlimited access to things we, his earthly family, found annoying: used napkins, stinky garbage, kitty litter and dirty diapers. Yes, he was a "gross little dog," which I reminded him constantly by saying, "What the heck is wrong with you, Spark Carnes? That ain't no way for a cocker spaniel to act!"

Sparky, you lived a happy, full life surrounded by people who loved you. You were my faithful, happy, beautiful companion during the absolute darkest, loneliest time of my life. But you always greeted me with a smile, a wag, and a nudge to my hand when you saw the pain I was in. May you have a never-ending supply of squeaky toys, and may a human always be there for you run and show them to.

I love you! And I will most certainly miss you.

It's kind of cheesy, but here's the poem titled "Rainbow Bridge"

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