Sometimes there may be one loss that hits you harder than all the rest, and finding the right words when it comes to sharing that loss is even more difficult.
If you have yet to notice, there have been no website or social media posts at all this week. Our staff, volunteers and all our residents have been in mourning.
It is with the deepest sadness that we inform you all that Monday morning our oldest Sanctuary resident, Calvin, gained his Angel wings. It has left a huge gaping hole in our hearts – we are still wondering how we will move on without him.
As tiny as Calvin was in size, his personality was larger than life. He was small, but mighty and was loved and respected by every dog and human he encountered. When Calvin wanted something, everyone got out of his way; if he decided he wanted 3 bowls of food, the entire cup of ice cream, or a particular dog bed, no one would mess with him – even his own bonded brother would step aside.
Calvin lived 23 years and 53 days. He was born on March 10, 1999 and left this world knowing more love and kindness than he had ever known on May 2, 2022. And although many will read this and say that it was a great long life for a dog, for Calvin it really wasn’t. Calvin and his brother Hobbes only arrived at our Sanctuary a little over 2 years ago after having lived lives in criminal neglect and deprivation in a hoarding situation with over 200 other animals. Calvin only began to live and know love once he arrived at Paws Give Me Purpose Sanctuary. We can only hope Calvin’s short time here with us was enough to erase all the suffering and bad memories he endured.
Calvin’s nickname here at the Sanctuary was “Puppet”, a term of endearment that came about due to his missing jaw and tongue always hanging out. While we found this adorable, this was just one of many major medical issues Calvin had; but Calvin never let it hold him back from living his life to the fullest. He wore many hats here at the Sanctuary and sadly his loss has left a huge void most especially in our Founder/CEO/Sanctuary Mom’s life. He was her protector, sidekick, and her supervisor – he literally had to be right there with her whatever she was working on or doing and sat there watching intently as if to supervise and make sure she did it correctly. He supervised every Featured Dog Friday article from beginning to end, and would stand and supervise every meal preparation.
He was very vocal when he didn’t like something, and heaven forbid she didn’t take him with her wherever she went even if it was just to the next room. No one else could even sit in her lap without his permission. What’s most interesting now with him gone is no one has dared to even get in her lap – it’s almost as if he’s still sitting there. He commanded respect and he is certainly still very respected by all.
Calvin enjoyed both indoor and outdoor sunbathing and he was also a real ladies man and would follow the female dogs around the senior center looking for their affection – you just had to laugh at those moments when the females would turn around and snit at him to go away and stop sniffing them. He was just that confident, and he never let it bother him; we had our own little Hugh Hefner.
Nothing will ever be the same here at Paws Give Me Purpose without him as each dog that comes through our door brings us something special. He truly had a wonderful effect on both people and other dogs alike. He lit up every room here with his mere presence and brought smiles to every face that entered our Sanctuary. We could literally write forever about Calvin because there are simply so many great memories to share, but we are honestly still finding it very difficult to choose those right words and do not feel that anything we could ever write would do his precious soul justice.
There is a huge cloud of sadness over our Sanctuary as all the dogs here are also mourning his loss, most of all, his brother Hobbes. Bonded brothers for over 22 years, it’s not an easy loss for him. We are very concerned and focused on making sure Hobbes, who is both blind and deaf can still smell his brother’s presence around him.
Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it has become a memory… Calvin, we were blessed to have known and been able to love you with our whole hearts! You will always live on in our hearts and at Paws Give Me Purpose Sanctuary forever.
We know that each and every one of you share this loss with us and we thank you for being a support to us during this time.
