I miss him so much.
I write this today to share with those who knew – and therefore loved – Auggie the doggie. I thought it would be nice to share some of his life story and his pictures.
Auggie’s life with us started in 2014, when we stopped by a natural pet food store in Oregon to get some treats for our little mute chiweenie, Mork. Mork had spent his entire life in shelters and was terrified of everything and just shook constantly. We thought we needed another dog like a fish needed a bicycle. He took a lot of special care.
The local animal shelter was there that Saturday with dogs for adoption. This little black shaggy dog looked up at me with hound dog eyes as we approached the area – dangerous! I asked if I could just pick him up for a minute and they said “yes! please!” and when I did, he greeted me with a big, stinky dog kiss. I started crying like a big fat baby right there in the middle of the store: this dog is ours.
So we did all the paper work and we took Mork to go meet Auggie the next day at the shelter (then called “Nacho”) to make sure they got along okay. Mork just hid under the seating bench and shivered – typical day for him! So we felt it was good enough and home he came.
The good folks at the shelter didn’t know much of Auggie’s history. They said that the man who brought him in was a local guy – known for rehabilitating naughty dachshunds (they can be rather stubborn). Auggie had been thrown over the man’s 9-foot fence – his back was wonky and had a stubborn cough. But the shelter said he was generally healthy and in good shape for being nine or ten.
We decided that we would work out his health problems as they came and brought him home. There was no way we were going to leave him.
We found out in short order that Auggie just loved. He had the most indominable spirit! So many dogs that have been neglected and abused have triggers that can send them into a trauma response. Mork certainly did. But Auggie never was triggered by anyone or anything. He was gentle and curious about everyone who entered our home – from contractors to beloveds. He never snarled, barked, or showed any fear. He just loved.
And he was a blessing to Mork as well. Mork, as a result of his former life, never barked. He once witnessed a man attack me in our home. He just cowered under his granny blanket and didn’t even let out a whine. He was committed to silence.
But Auggie came and changed all that. Auggie – somehow – taught Mork to bark! It broke our hearts at the end of his life, he went deaf, and no longer barked. But he taught Mork and it helped him “normal out” so much. They were brothers from day one. Auggie let Mork be the leader and followed him around wherever he went. Mork could do anything to Auggie – including just step on him, and he just let him do it because he loved him so much.
After Mork died a couple of years ago, Henry came to take his spot. And although Henry resembled Mork, he was a very different dog. Auggie loved him immediately, always washing his face, trailing behind him, letting Henry lead.
Auggie loved eggs. When he would hear me cracking an egg in the kitchen, he would sit politely at the perimeter and wait. A reminder! He got his favorite poached egg the night before he passed on. How he loved a soft egg – his little toothless mouth!
Auggie greeted me every morning with what we called a “baby parade” – he would take his favorite toy (his “baby”) and parade it around the living room. Every. Single. Morning. We knew he must be hurting when that lovely scene stopped. He wanted to, but just couldn’t. I added a video of one of his last parades.
When I came home from hospital three years ago after an extended illness, I had a noisy, strange, oxygen machine. Mork was terrified of me and wouldn’t go near. But Auggie sat at my feet the entire time as I recovered. He was fearless with his love.
Everyone who met Auggie loved him. When we adopted Henry, his foster family brought him to our house to make sure he was a good fit for us. The husband fell in love with Auggie and asked if he could take Auggie as a trade – he was totally serious!!! This was a family with a huge pile of foster dogs, but wanted Auggie for their own!
No way! 🙂
Auggie loves cats. Our old cat, Musubi, has never shown an interest in him. But Auggie would slobber and jump around every time he came near – he just wanted to give him a big stinky kiss! He snuck one in several times, and his happiness was obvious.
I think his greatest wish was to have a cat of his very own. That wish came true! Just before Christmas, we got a call from our dear friend at the vet clinic who knew Auggie well. She sheepishly asked us if we would be interested in a kitten who needed a home – we agreed and the kitten became Auggie’s best little cat friend. They snuggled, they played lazily, and he was able to give the kitten a big stinky kiss or two. They bonded. Auggie was at his happiest in these moments. I am so thankful to her for calling us that day – Auggie left this world happy and his little bucket list was complete.
He was the greatest dog ever.
Auggie lost his life on April 2, 2024. He was almost 20 years old. We owe a debt of gratitude to the sweet people who cared for him and cared for us too.