Theo
A donation was made in memory of Theo by Donald Cox, DVM MPH at Connecticut Veterinary Center on May 06, 2021.
Energetic. Sly. Sweet. Those are Theo's character traits. For my 47th birthday, Ed gifted me with Theo. Perhaps I was dealing with the need for comfort and a semblance of routine when we picked him out. Theo was a pandemic pup--an impulsive and maternal urge that my husband understood. He was googly-eyed. He had an under-bite. He's "Funny-looking," I told Ed. "I think he's cute," my husband replied. We brought him home towards the end of July 2020. I'd like to say I gave Theo the best life, albeit a short life: he never made it to his first birthday: May 24, 2021.
He had fresh Nom Nom Paleo Food. He was groomed at least 3 times. He got a bath almost weekly. Ed gave him silly face trims, which we argued about. Theo would wag his tail as I left for work. I longed to return home to his tail wags. Theo learned the following words: Outside, Adrienne, Dada, Mama, and Bianca. He was also known as: Choochie Woochie, and Papi (every Latino understands this, lol). Theo loved rolling his back into the grass and he loved licking snow. He visited Burlington, Vermont two times: when he was two months old and a few days before he was overcome with pneumonia. I met Dr. Cox when Theo was hospitalized. He's a cool vet. He's got cool long hair. I wish Dr. Cox could have met him before he became ill. Donald was passionate about giving Theo the best care possible. He never gave up--he tried everything to nurse Theo back to health.
The name Theo means gift from God. His sudden death shocked us to the core, but because of it, my family and I are doing things differently. As an introvert, I like my alone time. I am now being more mindful about hanging with my husband and daughters. I am trying to be better about observing the little things: the warm sun, the smell of grass, the fluttering of birds in the trees. My oldest daughter is evaluating her work-life balance. My middle daughter is honoring Theo with a scrapbook project. My youngest daughter is interviewing for a Vet Tech position and hanging with her furry friends she sits for. My husband and I are nursing margaritas and remembering the good times Theo gifted us with.
What is God's gift for me? Metaphorically, Theo wanted our attention. He tugged, barked, and whined for it.
Now I understand how God and Dog are interrelated: Faithful, loving, all-forgiven. That's what dogs are. That's what God is.
I love you forever, Mr. Theo. Until we meet again, my boy.
He had fresh Nom Nom Paleo Food. He was groomed at least 3 times. He got a bath almost weekly. Ed gave him silly face trims, which we argued about. Theo would wag his tail as I left for work. I longed to return home to his tail wags. Theo learned the following words: Outside, Adrienne, Dada, Mama, and Bianca. He was also known as: Choochie Woochie, and Papi (every Latino understands this, lol). Theo loved rolling his back into the grass and he loved licking snow. He visited Burlington, Vermont two times: when he was two months old and a few days before he was overcome with pneumonia. I met Dr. Cox when Theo was hospitalized. He's a cool vet. He's got cool long hair. I wish Dr. Cox could have met him before he became ill. Donald was passionate about giving Theo the best care possible. He never gave up--he tried everything to nurse Theo back to health.
The name Theo means gift from God. His sudden death shocked us to the core, but because of it, my family and I are doing things differently. As an introvert, I like my alone time. I am now being more mindful about hanging with my husband and daughters. I am trying to be better about observing the little things: the warm sun, the smell of grass, the fluttering of birds in the trees. My oldest daughter is evaluating her work-life balance. My middle daughter is honoring Theo with a scrapbook project. My youngest daughter is interviewing for a Vet Tech position and hanging with her furry friends she sits for. My husband and I are nursing margaritas and remembering the good times Theo gifted us with.
What is God's gift for me? Metaphorically, Theo wanted our attention. He tugged, barked, and whined for it.
Now I understand how God and Dog are interrelated: Faithful, loving, all-forgiven. That's what dogs are. That's what God is.
I love you forever, Mr. Theo. Until we meet again, my boy.
