It is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform you all that beloved Phineas has gained his Angel wings. This is not an unexpected loss, but the timing was without warning. He passed very quickly in Sanctuary moms arms and did not suffer; however, he did leave many broken hearts behind and it has been extremely difficult finding the right words to share his passing.
Phineas arrived at our Sanctuary in December of 2021; he had been found on the streets of Baltimore and was taken to a shelter. He was extremely neglected, you could see every one of his ribs. Although most of what was left of his hair covered some of the evidence, this tiny boy was beyond emaciated, malnourished, anemic, his spine crooked, sores and fresh wounds on his skin, a horrible cough that turned out to be due to an extremely enlarged heart pressing on his trachea.
His appearance left us speechless but without a doubt, he deserved a second chance to live the life he should have had all along.
With that thought in the front of our minds, urgent medical care was the priority. As time moved forward, Phineas began feeling better and began to show us that perhaps once upon a time he was properly cared for. He knew things; he was very smart knowing many commands, had a show dog stance down pat, and loved grooming and pampering – so much so he would get so excited when our volunteer groomers would come by and he would demand to go first.
Phineas was known here at the Sanctuary as “snot bubbles” and “Mr. Peepee” both terms of endearment that fit his behaviors perfectly. He was a very prim and proper gentleman yet he lifted his leg on everything in sight, loved on his own terms and had all of us waiting on him hand and foot. He was not a fan of getting dirty and would complain when he wet his belly band wanting to be changed immediately.
When he saw another dog being brushed, or having their nails trimmed, he would step right in shoving them aside wanting us to groom him. He wanted love and affection on his terms, and when he would come over for cuddling and petting, he did not like sharing and would let you know in no uncertain terms. He wanted what he wanted when he wanted it and we indulged him – he deserved it.
He sat like such a gentleman, and even took his medications like a gentleman, literally taking the pills from your hand and chewing them up like a snack – there is no way that tasted good, but that’s how he liked it.
Not knowing how long a beloved resident has left time wise on this earth is one of the most difficult things to determine when they come to us so sick, but Phineas’s will to live was powerful. He may have had a very bad heart, but it was a heart that wasn’t ready to quit. He enjoyed every moment with everyone, human and dog alike, soaking it all in and of course ignoring our pleas to try to calm down and relax a bit. He was always right by Sanctuary moms side and did not like being separated from her even if she was just a room away and if she exited the building, he knew and he made sure everyone else here knew he was not happy about it.
Phineas was very social with all the dogs here, but was closest to his best buddy Ferb who he took under his Pomeranian wing when he arrived. Now sadly, little Ferb seems very lost and is struggling with this sudden loss just as much as we are.
There was really no other dog like Phineas to come through our Sanctuary doors and there will never be another like him; each dog comes to us with something special and Phineas was the prince of all Pomeranians within our walls. Whenever we think of our little snot bubbles our hearts really do skip a beat and the tears begin to flow.
As sick and enlarged as this tiny boy’s heart was, we believe it was big in order to keep us all in it and he will forever be a part of ours.
Jamie Anderson said it best, “Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in the hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” And the part of our hearts that loved Phineas beyond measure is now a gaping hole.
They say that love rarely touches the reasoning parts of the brain; it touches the dreamy parts, the devoted parts, it touches the heart – and Phineas will remain a part of our hearts forever.
Phineas, we were truly blessed to have known you, to love you! You will always live on in our hearts and within the walls of Paws Give Me Purpose Sanctuary.
Thank you all for loving Phineas, helping us give him the best years of his life and for being a support to us during this difficult time.