Beau died when he was 10.5 years old, a good age for a blind Standard poodle, but not enough for us. Beau started to become blind at about 8 years old from SARD: Sudden Acute Retinal Degeneration, from an unknown source his ophthalmologist said they do not understand and was not repairable. It came on suddenly and progressed rapidly so that he was completely blind for his last two years. He was such a trouper that people did not know he couldn't see unless I told them.
So many good memories, he was so funny and sweet, loyal and obedient. What memory is the best? For me it is the sweetest one. I taught Beau- so quick to learn- that when I lay down flat on my back and say, "Puppy Love" he would step over my body, straddling me, put his front paws at each side of my head, lower is body onto mine, relaxing his back legs out on each side of my thighs (he was a 50 lb puppy). His full weight would be on me. I loved it, "Such a big dog" I would tell him. I could wrap my arms around him and hug his whole body to mine. He'd lay his head on my shoulder and we'd snuggle. Which one of us loved that more, I'll never know. And he'd stay there as long as I wanted. Tear to my eye, such a loving pet. So good.
But I believe he is now out of pain, out of his dementia confusion and in heaven jumping and frolicking as he did when he was whole. That is my comfort from God. Beau is once again happy, as I always wanted him to be.
2015-07-21 - 2026-03-07
Linda Sue Karger, Las Vegas