Skeeter, 1994-2007

My mom got Skeeter around the time I finished college in November 1994. He was a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, a PBGV for short. The best part of coming home to visit my family was the cacophonous din he made when I walked in the door, like an avant-garde cello concerto. Tail wagging, banging into everything. He would bump his forehead against my shins so I could rub his ears.

This morning, we had to put Skeeter to sleep. He'd had a bunch of complications related to a low blood platelet count. He was still able to walk but he was so tired. He'd been through hell yesterday but the decline was so fast, not a long, slow illness. He was hanging out in my room with me on Wednesday, the day after I arrived -- jumped up on the arm chair you see above to hang out with me. And that din? He made noise when I walked in the door Tuesday night.

Before the vet administered the shot, he bumped his forehead into my shins so I could rub his ears one last time. My mom and stepfather gave him hugs. We all petted him. And then we let him go.

I love that little guy. I'm going to miss him so much. Coming home will never be the same.