by Melissa Wyglendowski
Our beloved 4 year old Chocolate Lab C.J. came into and left our lives in such a eccentric way that there is no way that we will ever forget him. My husbands co-worker found him almost 2 years ago, playing chicken in the highway with another dog. When the co-worker stopped to get the dogs out of the road, CJ hopped in his vehicle immediately, but the other dog ran off. After a 2-month search of CJs proper owner, the co-worker asked if anyone wanted a dog (he couldnt keep him due to his apartment lease.) Anyway, my husband, Jason, came home, begging to bring this dog home. We had (and still do have) 2 cats and I wasnt crazy about getting a dog. But I relented thank God -and we brought CJ into our home and hearts in February of 2002. We took CJ to the vet, and she told us he was most likely a pure bred dog, a perfect size and weight, and in good health. I asked, How do we name him? and she suggested that we start saying names, and let him decide. Back in the truck, Jason said the names he had picked out, but CJ didnt like them. It was my turn. Mac? No response. Davis? Didnt like that either. CJ? His ears perked up and his head turned. CJ it was! He was such a good boy. Loved the cats, loved EVERYONE; could sit, lay down, shake paws, High Five, and roll over! We moved that summer to our current home, and CJ took the move very well. Our new neighborhood had more dogs his size for him to play with, and the more rural setting was perfect for all of us to explore together on the weekends. We expanded out family in February of 03 to include our Great Pyrenees, Liberty. We got her so that CJ wouldnt be lonely while we were at work. She loved CJ, and I think he loved her too. Here is where it gets so hard to talk about him. Last Wednesday, January 21st, 2004, I went home for lunch to let the dogs out. Normally, Jason is off of work at 2:00pm, and takes the dogs for their afternoon walk, but that day he wasnt going to be able to leave work until later in the afternoon. I got home and opened the front door, and Bitty Girl (Liberty) came down the stairs, but no CJ. Checked the living room, and a box of cereal was ripped open on the floor, along with a box of granola bars. Nothing real unusual, Bitty Girl occasionally gets stuff off of the kitchen counter if we dont put it away. Went to the downstairs bathroom, thinking CJ may have accidentally closed the door on himself. No CJ downstairs. I went upstairs, and found my baby boy, dead, with the plastic bag from the box of cereal on his head. My poor baby had suffocated cause he couldnt get that dumb bag off of his head. The grief, pain and guilt are unbearable at times. Jason and I miss him so much. And poor Bitty Girl, she is lost without her buddy. He is all she has known since she was 6 weeks old. I dont know what is harder, not having CJ with us anymore, or watching our other baby mope around the house. CJs death has made Jason and I realize how much animals depend on us humans to take care of them. I hope and pray that CJ forgives us for not being there for him when he needed us.