Caring for Frankie day-to-day was a tremendous job; he was honestly the most high-maintenance dog we have ever known. In a constant effort to keep him happy and comfortable we were always offering him food (we tried absolutely everything, toward the end it was spaghetti that he preferred), begging him to take his meds, trying to understand the little noises he made and what they all meant, massaging his head (he really liked that), always trying to figure out why he was barking, clipping one toenail (per day), cleaning up his many messes, washing his belly and legs (because he was incontinent), dealing with his strange schedule (he liked to eat in the middle of the night), taking him outside whenever he walked toward the door (even though he didn’t know what to do once he was outside), taking him to soooo many doctor appointments, putting him up on the sofa with his sisters though he didn’t care much for them (just for him to bark until we put him back down on the floor), constantly doing “Frankie laundry”, holding him while sitting at the computer, while eating dinner, while at work, while just about all the time, and this list could go on and on. Our lives revolved around Cranky Frankie Long-Legs … and we wouldn’t have changed a thing. We dearly miss that silly, demanding, noisy, but sweet little guy more than words can say.
Truly, I’m not complaining at all – I hope it doesn’t sound that way. I would do it all over again, and then some. He was so worth it. There was so much personality in that tiny boy. He had us wrapped around his little paw. He knew exactly what he was doing, and we were his willing servants. To see the joyful way in which he embraced his second chance at life and love … the way he soaked it up and asked for more … the way he came back from the brink of death and truly began to live again … it was amazing. We were so lucky to be Frankie’s forever family.
I miss caring for little Frankie. In looking back, I’m rather incredulous thinking about all that was required, but in a good way. I am so grateful that we were able to give him that and to let him know what love really is. What a special soul he was.
Anyway, those are my thoughts for today. I’m just missing my little Cranky Frankie.
Love, Rudi
PS: These photos were taken in the morning, on the last day of Frankie’s life.
