I have written about my beloved son Tommy who passed away 7 years ago. He left behind many broken hearts. But probably the one with the biggest broken heart was Tommy's Miniature Pinscher, Little "Bubbie" Bear. Tommy and Bubbie were inseparable.
Bubbie was born 15 1/2 years ago. He was 8 weeks old when we purchased him from a local pet store. We soon found out that he was a puppy mill puppy..almost sent him back..but his personality won our hearts!
Bubbie was big for a Miniature Pinscher..several inches too tall. His size matched his exuberant personality.
Not long before we bought Bubbie we acquired Chocolate "Chippie" Chip...another puppy mill puppy. Chippie was small and so very sweet, he just wanted to curl up on a shoulder and sleep! Bubbie, on the other hand, wanted to explore for any possible "chewy" item. While our Chippie was docile and sweet, our Bubbie was adventurous and passionate. They made an interesting couple!
We knew that Chippie and Bubbie probably inherited some health problems. Chippie was diagnosed with Diabetes before he was one..two insulin shots every day for the rest of his life. But Bubbie was seemingly very healthy...even super healthy!
Adorable Chippie passed away at 9 1/2 years of age, 4 1/2 years longer than the life expectancy our Vet gave us. It was a devastating loss to us, but Bubbie lost his "brother".
Through out his life Bubbie was been fiercely loyal and devoted. He spent much of his youth living in Easton, Pa. At night Bubbie would sometimes refuse to come back inside the house. He loved to hide in the bushes..his feet pulsating in a loud pitter-pat. He thought this was a really fun game. One night before Christmas..many years ago..he escaped from the yard..we were frantic. We searched the streets calling his name..I swear I heard the pitter-pat of his feet, but he would not come to us. We alerted the authorities and the next day I got a call from the ASPCA..Bubbie was there and I needed $15.00 to bail him out.
Seven years ago after attending Saturday evening Mass I got an urgent message from Tommy. He took Bubbie with him on a nature trail for a run. Bubbie, who was off his leash, took off and didn't come back. Tommy and Bubbie had gone on trail runs many times and Bubbie had never run off like that. I called my son Steve and we rushed to Tommy's side. For 6 days we searched for Bubbie. Coyotes were rampant in the area and we feared for Bubbie's life. On the 6th day I got a phone call from a farmer's wife..they found Bubbie curled up sound asleep next to their German Shepherd. We were overjoyed! Tommy immediately went to get Bubbie; we were so grateful that Bubbie still had his collar because it had our contact information on it. Bubbie was noticeably thinner, but still as feisty as ever!
The past few years have been difficult for Bubbie. He developed fatty tumors and began to show symptoms of Dementia. He often didn't seem to know us and he would wander around as if he was lost. He developed advance liver disease and often had problem keeping food down. Two nights before he passed he had several disturbing incidents that turned out to be seizures. He was suffering and there was no way he would get better. It was time for Bubbie to go back to Tommy...back to his best-bud..running in the fields and sleeping under the stars.
We love you Bub..we miss you.... you and Tommy will be in our hearts forever. You are two stars in the sky and we will be together again, in time.
Tommy took this picture of Bubbie sleeping, rest in peace sweet Bubbie Bear! We love you!
