In Loving Memory Of My Sweet Silly Suka

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There is honor in being a dog.

~~ Aristotle, Ancient Greek Philosopher and Polymath, student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great,
384 BC – 322 BC

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No louder shrieks to pitying heaven are cast,
When husbands or lap-dogs breathe their last.

~~ Alexander Pope, English Poet, 1688 - 1744

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You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.

~~ Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson, Scottish Novelist, Poet, Essayist, and Travel Writer, 1850 - 1894

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It is with very heavy, crying heart that I write of the passing of Suka. He passed away sometime very early Monday morning, 29 October 2012. I woke at approximately 4:20 a.m. to hear the sounds of Silvius barking and I went outside to shush him so he would not wake the neighbors. Silvius often woke me up with his late night/very early morning barking so I did not think anything of it. When I got up later that morning and went out to check on Suka he had already passed. I now wonder if Silvius was barking to alert me and I am angry at myself for not paying more attention.

Suka loved to cross his paws. Here is just a sampling of his 'crossed paws' photos from over the years:

Silvius spent all day Monday, Monday night, and until late this afternoon staying near Suka's body. I took Porgy to see Suka many times on Monday, and a few times today. I explained to Porgy that Suka is now in Heaven but still with us in spirit. I know Porgy understands, he went through this with our previous dog, but Porgy still keeps walking to the back glass door where I find him pacing back and forth scouring the deck and back yard looking for his Suka.

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.

~~ Excerpt from the poem, The Power of the Dog, by Rudyard Kipling

My California pool boy!

Alpha Male Suka in his glory.

Eight months after losing my previous dog I started to entertain the idea of another adoption, and one day while browsing Petfinder.com I came across the lovely face of sweet Suka. For two months I debated if I should adopt him and on the third month, I did. One of the best decisions I ever made in my life. He had been at the humane society for over four months with only one couple having shown interest in him. Upon learning the couple did not pass the adoption screening I became convinced that Suka was meant to be with me. I was extraordinary blessed to have such a beautiful, loving, delightful, charming soul enter my life and grace me with over eight years of happiness and joy.

A few of Suka's favorite things:

Suka hanging out in his yard.

Suka loved to run and at the dog park people were amazed at how fast he ran. One day we met an Ethiopian and his dog at the dog park and he told me that in Ethiopian language "suka" meant "very fast."

Suka loved to take walks, but would have loved them more if he were leash free.

Mud and Suka seemed to always find each other. On warm days it was a great way for Suka to cool off his paws.

Every once in a while Suka would dig a hole, or "paw rest" as he preferred, to rest his weary paws after a busy day.

We had a beautiful midnight burial ceremony for Suka on Monday/Tuesday under the stunning brightness of the full moon, aptly named the Hunter's Moon as Suka was a hunter at heart - a hunter of adventure, friendship, and fun. We had candles on either end of the grave and had incense burning. I placed Suka's two favorite stuffed animals into the grave with him, along with a beautiful green feather from Porgy and two personal items. Poems, prayers, and personal words were read. Silvius was there, but it was much too cold for Porgy. I left Suka uncovered in his grave all night so that he could have the light of the Hunter's Moon to guide him on his journey. I brought Porgy out this morning to say one last good-bye to Suka, and then covered Suka with his favorite napping blanket. This afternoon we completed Suka's burial.

Beautiful Suka ready for his close-up.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Murray, taken at the Buffalo Humane Society in Buffalo, Minnesota, circa December 2003
The very first photo I ever saw of Suka.

Suka, taken in Suka’s front yard in Kansas, circa October 24, 2012
One of the very last photos taken of Suka.

Back to memorial for Suka...

Thank you all for your friendship. Suka and I always felt so blessed to know each and every one of you. We admired all the unique, lovely, fun, beautiful, caring, kind, and creative personalities that made up the pet blogging community. And we especially were always so proud when the community came together whenever one was in need or suffering. And now it is my turn to suffer, and you have answered the call with your love and support which has touched me deeply. Thank you for the extremely touching and tender words of comfort and sympathy. Every comment has touched my heart and means the world to me.

Suka's Heaven:

I would like to give a "woof-out," as Suka would say, to those friend's of Suka who have written special tributes to him on their blogs. Their memorials to Suka are beautiful and poignant, and Suka would be both humbled and honored by such wonderful gestures from his dear friends: Alfie, Chicco, the FiveSibes, Raelyn and Rose, the White Dog Army, Finn and Khyra. Also, Terra De Duendes {The Land of Elves}, the FiveSibes, and Bailey Be Good have all added a beautiful photo of Suka to their sidebar, with a lovely little sentiment, in memory of Suka. Thank you all for your outpouring of love toward Suka. It is truly overwhelming. For those not familiar with the amazing dogs just mentioned, please visit their blogs and follow them. [If I have missed someone, I am truly sorry. Please let me know and I will add you and a link to your blog. Thank you.]

To end, I would like to share a poem by Rudyard Kipling that I read at Suka's ceremony:

A Dog for Jesus
(Where dogs go when they die)

I wish someone had given Jesus a dog.
As loyal and loving as mine.
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.

As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog,
Would have followed Him all through the day.
While He preached to the crowds
and made the sick well
And knelt in the garden to pray.
It is sad to remember that Christ went away.
To face death alone and apart.
With no tender dog following close behind,
To comfort its Master's Heart.
And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn,
How happy He would have been,
As His dog kissed His hand
and barked it's delight,
For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now,
I just sent Him mine,
The old pal so dear to me.
And I smile through my tears
on this first day alone,
Knowing they're in eternity.
Day after day, the whole day through,
Wherever my road inclined,
Four feet said, "Wait,
I'm coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.

~~ Rudyard Kipling

I will miss hearing my sweet Suka's voice. He loved to howl with the coyotes. Music to my ears. And my heart.

Your leash is forever gone and you are forever free.

Yes, Suka, you may go. I will miss you terribly but I will see you again.

Goodbye my sweetie silly Suka. I love you forever.

Suka
Birth Date - Unknown
Adopted - April 2004
Passed Away - October 29, 2012