This post is not so much is not so much about Sandy Hook, which is one of the NPS units that allows dogs at certain times of the year. This is more of a tribute to our dog Monkey, who enjoyed visiting parks with us. She passed away after a sudden and brief illness this week and we are devastated.
In 2011, we rescued Monkey from an overcrowded kill shelter where she’d been held for 4 months without much hope of being adopted before her number was up. We nearly passed her by because her tag said she wasn’t good with children. But as she quietly wagged her tail at us while her neighbors barked, we had a feeling she might be our dog, no matter what the sign said.
And over the course of 8 happy years, we came to realize that she was the one who had adopted us. I am so grateful that we became her forever family.
On Monday night, I stopped by the animal hospital to visit Monkey where she was receiving a transfusion to get her strong enough for surgery. She stood up and wagged her tail at me which I captured in this clip. I hugged her and told her what a good girl she was and asked her to try to get better.
Early the next morning, Monkey took a turn for the worse. The three of us held her and loved her one last time as she crossed the rainbow bridge. I will miss her happy grin, her tireless defense of the perimeter from church people and woodchucks alike, the holes to China she was always digging and the way she looked out for all of us. Rest in peace my sweet, funny girl
Forgive my negligence in visiting your blogs or responding to your comments in a timely manner. I will get back to it soon and meanwhile, our regularly scheduled posts will resume tomorrow.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your loyal friend. She looks like the perfect companion. Allan
So sorry to hear about Monkey. Dogs are never with us long enough. I was in Sandy Hook a month ago looking for a place to spend the day with my dog.
Thanks Ken! No, they aren’t. 😔 Our girls liked the last beach at the end and the paths leading to the lighthouse. Pretty sure no dogs allowed in summer and especially now that they have endangered piping plovers nesting.
So sorry to hear about Monkey. Dogs are never with us long enough. I was in Sandy Hook a month ago looking for a place to spend the day with my dog.
Thanks Allan, she was the best😔
So sorry about Monkey. Our dogs are also a part of our family and such a loss when they are gone. Monkey was a beautiful girl.
Thank you. She was beautiful
Sorry for your loss. We once had a rescue dog who was a fear biter and had a grudge against the world – except for us. We loved him and he loved us, and decades later we are still glad we found him. I am so glad you took a chance on Monkey.
Thanks. Yes, Monkey had an issue with stocky men with glasses (or in one case, an unfortunate babysitter with a loud deep voice and glasses.) We guess she’d been mistreated in her early years by a broad man with glasses. She eventually warmed up to her ‘grandfathers’, but never that babysitter, lol.
I have been enjoying your posts and so glad I found your blog. This
Post breaks my heart for you. I lost my 11 year old Doxie recently, and I know you are in pain. Thank you for sharing with us. Monkey was lucky she found you!
Thank you. I’m so sorry to hear about your Doxie as well…they are never with us long enough, are they? Thanks for reading my blog…I’m glad you enjoy it.
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet dog. It’s never easy losing a special friend like that.
Thank you
So sorry for Monkey’s illness and passing. She looks like she was a very sweet dog
Thank you. She was wonderful.
Very sorry to hear of your loss, next time you are at Independence, be sure to say Hi,
Rip Monkey
Thanks Joanne. Maybe after the summer crowds are gone…
Beautiful tribute.
Thank you.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Dog’s fill our homes and our hearts.
Thank you, they sure do.
my heart aches for you and your family. ((hugs))
Thank you for the hugs…they are always appreciated 🙂
Sorry to hear of the death of your dog,.
Thank you
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, and my thoughts are with you. I know from personal experience [https://wp.me/p4uPk8-1Pr] how hard it is to lose our four-legged friends, but I also know that they’ll stay in our hearts forever.
Thank you.
Always a sad moment when we lose a family pet. They are family.
Yes, they are
Oh! I’m soooooo sorry for your loss! Dogs are such a great part of the family, always loving. She looks like such a good dog.
Thank you. She was the best
So sorry for your loss.
Thank you
Very sad to read about the loss of your companion. It’s wonderful that you’ve been able to use your blog to pay her such a beautiful tribute. I never knew her, of course, but Monkey lives on through your words and photos.
Thank you. She was a member of our family
So sorry to hear about Monkey.
Thank you
My heartfelt condolences on your loss. How wonderful that you and Monkey adopted one another.
Thank you. Yes we were lucky to find eachother
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. He is watching over you.
Thank you 🙏🏻
I’m so sorry for the loss of your sweet fur child. Truly heartbreaking.
Thank you. It is very difficult 🙏🏻
So sorry 🙁
Thank you 🙏🏻