In Memory of Hercule

I had to help our sweet, funny Herc leave his worn out body behind today. We opened the gate about 2:30 this afternoon and he ran through it like Forrest Gump … no more disabilities, no more pain, just foot loose and fancy free. We talked about it, Herc, Rosie, Darla and I, and all agreed that he just couldn’t stay any longer. His decline was quick and totally unexpected, and his end came painfully soon, but everyone who knew him will always cherish the time we had with him. I am deeply grateful to FBRN for bringing him into our lives and sparing no expense to give him whatever he needed. I’m also grateful to my vet, who not only cared for him, but also cared about him.

I love this picture of Hercy and Sabrine wondering what adventures wait for them on the other side of the fence. Hercy went to find out today … I hope it exceeds his wildest dreams.

He was dealt a really rotten hand in life, but that didn’t stop Herc from being one of the sweetest natured, most affectionate little guys I’ve ever met. There aren’t any words to describe how much we all loved him. It was love at first sight for he and Darla, he was Rosie’s baby boy, and my grandchildren thought he was the bomb. He was.

I don’t have any idea who wrote the following poem, but I’m sure the author knew a sweet brown-eyed pup just like Herc. For Hercy who lived with us from July 2007 to April 2008 and stole our hearts in the blink of an eye …

You can’t buy loyalty, they say,
I bought it, though, the other day;
You can’t buy friendship, tried and true,
Well, just the same, I bought that, too.
I made my bid, and on the spot
Bought love and faith and a whole job lot
Of happiness, so, all in all,
The purchase price was pretty small.
I bought a single trusting heart,
That gave devotion from the start.
If you think these things are not for sale,
Buy a brown-eyed puppy with a stump for a tail.

−Unknown

Lynne Scott
FBRN Foster Volunteer
Kansas City, Missouri