In loving memory of Seamus Wheaton, the best dog.

Yesterday afternoon, Seamus collapsed on our living room floor. We took him to the emergency vet, where they ran some tests, and discovered a large mass on his spleen. He had a 105 fever, and he wasn’t responsive. The doctor told us he was in critical condition.

At almost 12 years-old, Seamus wasn’t a candidate for surgery (and we weren’t going to put him through that, anyway), so at midnight last night, we said goodbye to the best boy in the world.

I know that a lot of you care about our pets, because we post lots of pictures of them and talk about them all the time. You know how much we love them, and you know how much you love your pets, so you know how much this loss hurts all of us.

This overwhelming pain I feel right now is the price we know we’re going to pay for the years we have with our four-legged family memebers. We’ve always known the day would come when he wouldn’t be in our lives, but that didn’t make the arrival of that day any easier.

I’m so grateful we got to be with him in his final moments, and we got to tell him goodbye. We got to thank him for all the joy and love he brought into our lives. We got to kiss him and hug him, and he passed peacefully, with the two people who loved him more than anything by his side.

Seamus was a special dog. At doggy daycare, they used him to evaluate new dogs, because they knew what a good citizen he was. I was always like a proud parent about that. He was a fantastic pack leader for Marlowe. He taught her how to be a dog, and he lives on in her, a little bit.

I’m going to miss him so much. I keep automatically looking for him in all of his places around the house. I know the next few weeks are going to be tough. Eventually, all that will be left is the memory of the joy and love he gave us.

But right now, today, it hurts so much. I miss his grey face so much, and I want to kiss the spot on his big old blockhead one more time.

He was such a wonderful dog, and such a blessing to have in our family. I love him, and I will miss him forever.

Bye bye, Seamus. You were the best boy, and your whole pack loves you. If heaven exists, and dogs go there, I hope you’re playing ball with Riley and Ferris.

177 thoughts on “In loving memory of Seamus Wheaton, the best dog.”

  1. Wil, being a year behind you and having the same hair and complexion, I’ve felt like I have a big brother who’s nerdliness rivals my own. Now I can empathize with you another way. I just lost my own, very close pet a few weeks ago. Seamus and Riley both have awesome fields to play in and roam up in heaven. I do not doubt this at all. Loyalty and love from them and the Agape we give in return can’t die with this planet or these bodies. They will go on forever because the good, right and true endures. Be at peace and grieve well and true. Eventually the tears will be outnumbered by laughter and smiles as you remember all the good times with him. Until that time comes, peace, brother.

  3. Wil and Ann, I am so sorry. Losing my dogs had been the most pain I have ever experienced and I feel for you. I hope you can rejoice in the memories of Seamus.

  5. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We sincerely share your grief as we also lost in very similar fashion our dog Niko just yesterday. Their memories will forever live in our hearts.

  7. So sorry to hear about Seamus. I can tell you that one expected joy is the very strange places you’ll find his hair, years from now. The pain is very present now, but the joy of remembering him, and his hair, will go on.

    1. Boy do I understand the hair business. Hate vacuuming always due to shedding, winter “blowout” summer “blowout” combing, baths etc. Finding hair of a rainbow pet made me cry like a baby all over again. We now have a Yellow Lab who sooner rather than later will be crossing the bridge. He will be 12 in March/21. But has health issues that I know will not let him see 12 & as much as I curse the hair NOW, I know I will miss his sweet sweet face when that awful time comes. Michelle

  8. So sorry to read about Seamus. What a great, good dog he was. I am thinking of you and Anne, and hoping Marlowe is doing okay, too. I hope you can smile thru the tears at the years of memories you had with him.

  9. I’m sorry about Seamus. I’m glad you were able to be there for him at the end.

  10. We know exactly how you feel Wil. We still look for our Mini in all the places she used to sit more than one year later. When an animal is your family member for 14 years it’s hard to get out of this habit. The sadness is always there, just less painful with time.

  13. You might consider having a howl-in on a full moon to honor his passing. It’s kind of a doggie wake. You tell stories of all the times and ways he impacted your lives, then you empty your hearts through a primal soul healing expression.
    Elatus memoriale canis ululatus

  15. My husband reminded me the other day of a time back when we first met and i woke up crying in the middle of the night. He was very solicitous and asked if my back was aching. I mumbled, “No, I’m thinking of my dead dog”. I was probably 35 then. I lost Lydia when i was 24 – she was my 10th birthday present. I’m weeping now. I miss them all and I’ll miss Seamus too.

  16. Wil and Anne, I am so very sorry. I lost my sweet girl two years ago, and I understand the pain that you’re feeling right now. Sending you both love during this difficult time. ❤️

  18. Wil and Anne, so sorry for the loss of your canine buddy. They sure grab & hang tight to your heart..right? You have my heart felt condolences. Michelle

  19. Hey wil it’s been like 12 years since I first met you at a arcadia supermarket bagging your groceries (might have been 13 years), I only say that to put your dogs death in perspective. Sorry for you familys loss

  20. What is it about winter? A colleague at work had to put his wonderful Rotty mix dog down, and a day later we said goodbye to our 17 yr old cat, Noche. What a sucky year 2020 was. I’m sorry, Mr. Wheaton.

  21. I’m really sorry for your loss. I recently lost my best friend Romi this november, best dog ever. I feel your pain.

  22. I’m sure this will get buried, but here we go. George Hrab, atheist drummer and podcaster, has a song about losing his dog. I’ve lost mine and this song sums it up better than anything I’ve ever heard. On iTunes look for “Small Comfort” under George Hrab.

    Heart is with you.

  23. I’m so sorry for the loss of dear Seamus. i’ve enjoyed over the years your sharing your pets with us and I know how deeply you love them. I have lost pets before and it’s like you lose part of your heart so I can imagine how you must be feeling. I hope your heart starts to heal soon. Sincerely, Dawn Whitty

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