Tags
canine, dogs, freelance journalist, poetry, writing, writing life
I’m not sure how to start this, so we’ll start with that. Our sweet Ramsay passed away at home over the weekend, just a few weeks shy of his 14th birthday.

Somehow I composed myself in his final moments to read him a poem from DOG SONGS by Mary Oliver, “Little Dog’s Rhapsody in the Night.”
The somber poetry and personal memories will be saved for another time. Instead, I’d like to share how Ramsay influenced my writing.
Canine journalism

Ramsay inspired my first-ever magazine clip in DOG LIVING MAGAZINE (November 2009). This piece also became my first re-print less than a year later in FIDO FRIENDLY MAGAZINE. Due to this work, I made a connecting with DOG FANCY. And, this chain continues beyond canine magazines, because my DOG FANCY article on GPS systems for dogs led me to interview a GPS manufacturer who also made trackers for humans–specifically used for cognitively-impaired people prone to wander. I subsequently published an article on smart devices for smart seniors in the now-defunct GO60 market.
Poetry pup
Ramsay also accompanied me to uncountable poetry events. He enjoyed attention of passersby at local festival poetry on demand booths, year after year at poetrySPARK at SPARKcon, and you can hear the jingle of his collar in the background of some Living Poetry podcast episodes. He came with me to the mountains when I held workshops for Asheville Writers. (He spent time at nearby doggie daycares during the workshops.)
Dog co-worker
Ramsay kept me company while I worked, and spent breaks with me outside. While he wasn’t very active the past few years due to his arthritis, when he was young I walked him before breakfast, on my lunch break, and in the evenings–as long as weather allowed. He kept me balanced from working all the time.
We also had many snack breaks. It’s only been a few days since he’s been gone, but I already caught myself cutting up extra pieces of orange for him. And when I made a smoothie yesterday, I broke off banana pieces and started walking to where his food bowl used to be. Since I’ve known him I had never not shared a banana with him. It’s hard to work because the reward of having a break with him is gone.
A big trip
Unrelated to writing, since Ramsay had declined so much the past few years, we stopped taking trips without him unless it was just for one night. Given the pandemic and a lot of family health matters that have demanded our attention, we are overdue for a good vacation together. We had decided to take a road trip this summer so that Ramsay could come with us. Because he needed to get outside fast to relieve himself, we didn’t want to stay at hotels. We also couldn’t have stairs because of his bad legs. I researched SO MANY Airbnbs and, let me tell you, it is tough to find truly accessible Airbnbs. Although there’s a filter to find accessible properties, I found SO MANY that had stairs in the pictures. I finally found and booked nearly a dozen accessible properties for our summer road trip, and I finished making the reservations just a few weeks before Ramsay passed away. Now we have the trip ahead, which will be hard because we had expected to have him with us for this adventure.
I’ve been saying the past few years that once Ramsay passes we’ll need a big trip: Alaska. To help distract me from not having him around, I’m trying to get things on the calendar that we can look forward to. I haven’t reserved anything yet, but we’re targeting June or July 2022 for Alaska, and I’d love your suggestions if you’ve been. I’d also like to know how your pets have influenced your writing. And, if you were lucky enough to have met Ramsay, I’d love for you to share a memory of him in the comments.
I was one of the lucky ones to have known Ramsay through all the poetry events. He was such a good dog and will be missed.
Ramsay was such a special pup. We loved driving up your driveway and hear his wolf-like howl through your front window. He’d always come through the door, greeting us with a smile and a special bandana tied around his neck. Such a stylish fella! Last fall, I enjoyed his company while we created barn quilt paintings out in the barn. He seemed quite at ease, snoozing on a fabric quilt at our feet. Ramsay was a special presence who will be greatly missed.
I’m honored to have known Ramsey and considered him a good friend. He was more of the attraction at our poetry-on-demand booths than the poetry. R.I.P.
You know how I love dogs and would have loved Ramsey if I had met him. My sympathy goes out to you as I know the pain of losing a beloved friend. I have had four wonderful dogs in my life and each deserves his own story, but the one I have now, my Lexie, is my constant companion day and night. Tara Lynn, you know her and how loving she is. Recently she escaped my car when I was getting out at my foot doc’s office. I was terrified she was going to get into traffic and be killed. But she did not go to the street. She ran around the office building with my sister right behind her. She followed the sidewalk up to the back door and when someone opened it, she darted inside. The women in the office fell in love with her and when I walked in, they all laughed and said they had Lexie there and had been loving on her.
She is only four and I hope to have her with me a long time, but we know when we have a dog, we will be hurting when they pass away. Enjoy your trip to Alaska. I have wonderful memories of our trip, but it was long ago and there are many new and exciting ways to have that adventure. Thanks for sharing Ramsey with your readers. I can tell he was a very special pet.
Ramsey looks so darling. My heart is with you. I raise Golden Retrievers. My beloved Oliver, only 10, died in his sleep two months ago. My dogs Jack Tru & Tennessee are lost without our beloved companion. He would lay his head on my foot as I worked. When I would be on the couch watching TV, I’d put my hand over near the leather chair where he was lounging and he would put his paw in my hand. They leave a big bruise. I feel like I have PTSD. Sending you virtual hugs. You guys have had a lot of tragedies over the last few years. Stay strong, healthy and full of wonderful stories to tell. xox Mary Eastham, Jack Tru & Tennessee & my Oliver Angel…
I am so sorry to hear this, Tara Lynne. From now on when I see you, I imagine you will look a little asymmetrical without him! I am so happy that you had such a glorious and adventurous life with him, for many enriching dog years.