he met our cats and he was nice to them, they sniffed noses and the cats walked away (they were used to chuck who didn't bother them) but Freddy followed until the cats had enough and hid from him in the basement. it took him about a month to turn the cat door into a dog door (the cat food being on the top landing of the steps may have motivated him too) it took 2 years until Lulu would come downstairs in daylight and 5 years until Bones would (Garfield and Stevie avoided him for a few days and said "to hell with this it's MY house" and established themselves. turns out once Fred got used to a cat they became boring and he left them be. but when they ran from him it was his favorite game.

there was no gate or barrier he couldn't defeat. we started referring to him as " the evil genius" some of his escapes from the kitchen or bedroom were so mind numbing they were actually funny... and are among our fondest memories of him

we sat down one night and made it official, we would not give up on him or ever give him up. we knew we were his last chance and in between all the destruction and howling and the cleaning up there was pure unadulterated love. he loved us so fiercely that just going upstairs without him put him in a panic. one night i stopped off at the store and saw dogbeds, i thought he might like one. nothing could prepare me for his reaction. the second i came through the door he saw the bed and started jumping up and down trying to pull it to the floor. i'd never seen such happiness in a dog over something he couldn't eat.

as time passed and he calmed a bit (he never got over the anxiety all the way) we were able to settle into a more "normal" routine. we bought him squeaky toys (which he ate) and then a pull rope (which he shredded in a week) until we hit pay dirt. a squeaky bone made out of tennis balls. he loved them and it took months for him to destroy them. he would run up to us on the couch and flop that thing in our lap, he loved to play fetch in the living room! or his new pull rope (we got one intended for rottweilers lol)so he could play tug of war. he was happy, but he was never healthy.

when i 1st walked him at the shelter i noticed a "giddy up" in his gait. i asked them about it and told me he had some "bumps and bruises" and that he was 2 years old. on his 1st vet visit we learned his "bumps and bruises" were in fact torn ligaments in his hind leg. she said he wouldn't live to see 10 years old... and that he was at least 7 already. we were advised not to take him for walks it would be hard on his leg. still he got around just fine, he looked like an old man trying to climb the steps but he managed ok. after a couple years he developed a large fatty tumor on his side, but we were told it was harmless as long as the hair didn't fall out and it didn't change color. the fee for removing it was out of our budget by a lot.

a couple years ago Fred started having real difficulty walking. we talked to a few people and got the idea of giving him glucosamine treats. the difference was incredible, not only did he walk better he was able to climb the steps again as well as on the bed and couch (he loved laying on the couch) so on we went, watching him but satisfied he was out of the woods. this past year the treats became less effective, i had to help him up the stairs (carrying him was never an option he HATED being picked up) and he started to have great difficulty getting around. my wife found special canned food for older dogs with "hip problems" (more glucosamine)and it helped a lot (didn't hurt his appetite which had become sketchy either)and on we went.

we never expected him to live through last winter, but he kept bouncing back. the past couple of months it had become apparent that he was on borrowed time. he struggled to sit down or get back up, and other problems became apparent. he was going blind and couldn't hear well. if he dropped a dog biscuit i sometimes had to pick it up and give it back to him. he started going to the wrong side of the door when we took him out. we had decided that so long as he could walk and was happy and not suffering we would deal with his other age problems. constant pooping and peeing in the house (when he'd pee outside he'd wag his tail because he knew he was good), taking half an hour to go up to bed because he didn't want to do the stairs (even with daddy's help) it didn't matter. perhaps we (in that i mean me) were a bit selfish but he always seemed happy.

4 days ago i was about to go to bed and he got up to follow me out. he stopped in the living room and squatted and jetted liquid diarrhea on the carpet. the hershey squirts weren't a new thing with freddy his treats caused it every now and then but this was different. it was pure liquid, but we went about our normal remedy, my wife boiled chicken and rice for him and the next day his poop was more like pudding. that night i took him out and he pooped on the walk right outside the door (he usually just about made it out the door to pee or poop)and it was lighter in color, and i saw the blood. it was dripping from his butt. i cleaned him up and called my wife at work. this was late Christmas eve, going to the vet at that hour wasn't going to happen. later he pooped in the living room (i didn't see it happen) and i found a piece of plastic in the puddle. we'll never know if he ate a pen or if it even came from him. we decided to get him to the vet on Monday only because it was Christmas and who's open on Christmas?

Christmas morning our bathroom looked like a murder scene, there was blood everywhere, as well as on his pee pads in the bedroom. when he laid down poop and blood just leaked out of him. i considered staying home with him but decided to spend the day with my family who i see so seldom. i'll never forgive myself, we came home to find fred's leg had given out. he was lying in a puddle of his own poop (the bleeding was much less at this point but still there)he tried to stand but couldn't. we cleaned him up as best we could and i tried to help him up. after a few shambling crooked steps across the room i realized his bad leg was tucked up and he didn't have the strength to walk on 3. i had to work at 5AM so my wife spent the night downstairs with him. we took him to the vet immediately after work but we already knew he wasn't coming home. he died in my arms at 12:30 in the afternoon.

freddy had a bigger than life personality, anyone who came to the door was greeted by it. most of our mailcarriers were terrified of him! except the most recent one she adores him. i'll have to tell her when the mail comes today. if he was being bad and did not feel he was (i.e. eating the cat food), and you scolded him he'd follow you around yelling at you as only a beagle can. all these years we never had a cat who liked him (much) until recently we took in a pregnant cat our former neighbors abandoned. we couldn't keep her (fear not we found her a nice home out of the city) but we did keep 2 of the 5 kittens. Tigger didn't just like Fred he LOVED him. he would curl up and sleep with him and Freddy even shared his food with him (not at 1st mind you). it's irony that once freddy finally found a furry friend his life would end. Tigger is only 5 months old i hope he doesn't understand. Garfield does though, even though he acted otherwise he liked freddy too he just rarely showed it. he's been at the door for the past hour, which wouldn't be unusual except the door is closed.

Fred beat the vets prediction and lived to be a happy, sweet 15 year old pup.

i could never really tell Fred's story in a few paragraphs or even communicate what kind of dog he was. we poured all our love into him and he's taken a large piece of our hearts with him.

1/4/17
i brought you home today, sorry it took a little long but with the holidays and all i guess it's not surprising. the house is so empty without you. i still look at the floor before i get out of bed and shuffle step into the bathroom in the dark so i don't step on you (mommy too) and then i remember. mom had to take your bed out i couldn't do it (it WAS ruined but you couldn't help that as sick as you were). we left your dishes out, the kittens liked to drink your water so we decided to let them there. you've had so many nice people come visit you here and they've all said the nicest things about you. even from the bridge you charm the pants off of everyone you meet. i had to tell your friend the mail lady and the people at peacock bridge, they were all very sad. i think i finally put some kind of meaning into how you came to be with us, but i can't put any to how suddenly you left. i know you had been hanging on by sheer will for so long, and that will was stronger than i could have imagined. it was only at the end that it was apparent how badly your body had betrayed you, but your spirit was so strong. i almost laughed when you turned and yelled at Dr Larkin when she gave you your shot. you weren't ready to leave us i know that but your body had nothing left. i'm so sorry Freddy spagetties i didn't want to lose you and i kept you too long i can't imagine what you went through. you fooled us by keeping that happy dopey smile on your face. you'll never know how special you are. i hope you found Chuck he'll look after you until i get there. we miss you and we love you.

1/19/17
hi skettios... it's Chuck's anniversary today, i'm guessing you 2 found each other easy enough. now you have the beagle buddy we couldn't give you here. my hearts still broken from your leaving, and being reminded of Chuck opened up all the old wounds... they never healed anyways and i imagine they never will. Tigger and Pudz are doing well, i know they miss you... although Garfield would never show it! he DID hide away for days after you left. i think Tigger is too young to understand, and he has his brother. a house without a dog... it's just wrong but i'm not ready, i'll know when it's time just like it was when i found you... until then it's a house full of cats... speaking of cats you better be behaving up there, PLEASE be careful around Lucky he's not Garfield or Lulu he doesn't play around. Give my love to all your new and old friends. i miss all of you very much. have fun until i see you, they say time has no meaning up there so it'll be before you know it. we love you freddy sketties

8/7/17
hey you! it's been too long since i came to visit. are you behaving? of course not haha. are you having fun with Chuck? he's the brother you never had. we miss you so much. i found a little of your fur in your collar and just lost it. i put it with you in the secretary, i couldn't throw it away. just last night i found one of your toenails behind the litter box... now i wonder how THAT got there. i didn't save that haha. all the kids miss you, Chase and Tristan still talk about you. you were everyone's buddy. the house isn't the same without you (and i don't mean not having to clean up after you!) it's just.... empty. will you be mad if we get another beagle?? we're thinking about it, and no matter how much we love the new one we'll never stop loving you, if you don't believe that ask Chuck he knows. I hope you give Lucky lots of space Daddy loves him very much but he's not big on dogs (again ask Chuck) Tigger and Louie are all grown up now. Tiggs was pretty young but i hope he remembers you. we always will, until we see you again. i hope you're happy there, you can run and jump again and you're never alone. we love you Freddy Sketties and we always will. I'll try to visit more often buddy, love you!

12/26/17
been a year... where does time go? I don't visit as often as I should, but don't ever think we've forgotten you. there's always something to remind us and you're always in our hearts and our thoughts. the boys are doing good, Tigger & Louie are all grown up now. I guess you know about Buster, he's a good boy, he's helped mommy's heart heal i think. he has heartworm but we're confident he'll make it. sometimes i call him Fred... sorry about that, it's just habit. I hope you, Chuck, Bonesy, Lulu, Stevie and Lucky are all happy. we miss you all so much, I'll never be over any of you. I know I'll see all of you again but that's small comfort. you be a good boy and keep your distance from Lucky. we love you Freddy.

8/2/18

i miss you damnit.... so much

12/26/18

2 years ago today you broke our hearts... you hung on so long and so tough, but in the end you left so quickly. you weren't ready to go and that's what tears me apart to this day. you wanted to stay but the parvo was killing you... you had to be as poop eater... Freddy i miss the hell out of you... more than ever since we left that house and have a new one... you would have loved the yard, but hated thge stairs... but hey, daddy always helped you up the stairs... so much i want to say but you've heard it all before... keep chuck and the rest of the gang company till i get there... i miss all of you so much... see you spagettios **hugs**

12/2/19

I haven't visited you in a year.. I'm sorry buddy there is no excuse. we haven't forgotten you, Mommy and I still talk about you often... your anniversary is coming up, I'll damn sure never look at Christmas the same way. Things go on down here. Buster beat his heartworm and now we're trying to get his weight down. The boys are 3 years old... I think if you'd been able to stay longer Tigger would be a different cat, he really loved you... don't you sweat that it isn't your fault... we miss you Freddy Sketties... so very much.

12/26/19

merry Christmas sketties... it isn't the same anymore, i can't get into the spirit. please don't think it's your fault you have no control over when you were called home. it's not even that we lost you, it's knowing you had to suffer so much for another day because the vet isn't in on Christmas. i still beat myself up for not staying home with you, the family would have understood. we said Christmas should be about life not death. when i saw you that evening in the state you were in i couldn't forgive myself for leaving you alone, and i never will. so much in my heart and i can't put words to it. i miss you.

8/4/20
spaghettios!! how's my good boy? we miss you so much Freddy. you've already met Buster I'm sure, I wanted to tell you he was coming, but I didn't have the strength. I guess you know he left us way too soon and so suddenly... Cancer sucks doesn't it? stay close to him would you? you went through so much in life and so did he. You can understand him, and you were both mommy's boys ;) I look forward to hearing you howl again, and rubbing your belly. Tigger misses you i have no doubt of that, he's 4 now! all grown up and still has all the grace of a bowling ball lol... our "crash" I'll look in you again Sketties we love you and we miss you.

9/1/20
Freddy sketties! hi bud. it's a sad day for us, it's Bonesy's 5th anniversary. so be nice to him, no chasing ok? Tigger is doing well he's a full grown cat now of course. he's huge! someday you'll get to share your dinner with him again... that'll be another sad day for us of course, but we'll see all of you again before you know it. you and Buster can hang out on the porch with mommy forever. I miss you buddy I love you

12/26/20
your anniversary today... so hard to believe it's only 4 years since you left us. just drives home how brief our time with Buster was. are you looking after him? how are Chuck and lucky? Bonesy being good? we miss you Freddy we miss you so much. It's been a terrible holiday season this year I messed up everything in my life. I don't even have a dog to see me through this time. Ok I'll stop my whining, I miss you sketties.

6/21/21
hey Spagettios, Is Garfield ok? I know all of you are looking after him, showing him the ropes up there. I guess no one expected him so soon. Maybe it made buster happy to see him, even if he was sad for us. Tigger is doing wonderful, he's a total mommy's boy now, just like you were. Mollie has been a wonderful addition, she's so tiny! you guys were all big beagles and she's a little thing. Freddy she's so precious I know you would have loved her. I have to go mommy says dinner is ready. I love you buddy

12/26/21
5 years.... so hard to believe the worst Christmas of my life (20 & 21 tried but failed to top it) was 5 years ago. Doesn't seem so long, we miss you every day. I'm stuck for words here... have a lump in my throat and just can't put into words what I want to say. there's too much pain for me these days... maybe it's soon time for me to come home to you guys, but I don't know if they'd let me see you if I leave here like that. I just want the hurt to stop. I know I'm complaining again I should be talking to you not whining. I miss you buddy, give my love to everyone... oh if you run across a rottie with my scent on him that's Samson, your aunt Kristen's boy, he passed a few months back. I love you spagettios

4/28/22
hey Freddy Skettie, still here, still hurting every day but I'm so afraid they won't let me come to the bridge I keep pressing on, I forgot how to be happy how to feel good and this time a furbaby can't help. I love all of them but I feel very little. And now Patches has come home, Tigger and Louie rejected him we have to keep him in the front room. It's driving him crazy he's so lonely. I don't know what to do everything I do ends in disaster. I'm so tired sketties things at work have gone bad too. But I'll keep going because not seeing you guys again would be the worst punishment imaginable. I love you ya big goob

5/21/22
Freddy spagettie he buddy. We're having a tough time, Mollie has come to the bridge suddenly and with no warning. she's the sweetest little beagle you'll ever meet. please help Chuck take care of her. let her know how much we love her. mommy and I hurt so much, I can't even do her residency here I can barely get through telling you about her. we love you buddy we miss you so much. Maddie sends her love too your bff ;)