C.K.: November 22, 1999 – January 7, 2012
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I lost my best friend today.
C.K. was in my life for exactly 12 years, 2 weeks and a day. We first brought him home on December 23, 1999. He was so small, he fit in the palm of my hand. As a miniature dachshund, he never got really big, but at 15lbs now he seems so big to me.
C.K. was always there for me. Always ecstatic when I got home, always upset when I had to stop petting his head and go to work — the nerve of me! C.K. was my buddy in watching the Redskins fail again and again, looking ridiculous in the Redskins jersey I bought him. The jersey was size extra-small, but even then his little 2 inch legs were too short for it.
My entire family, particularly my mom, loved — loves — C.K. He was at all our familial gatherings, he got a plate of ham (his favorite) and other food at Christmas and Thanksgiving. He fell asleep in laps – mine, Mom’s, my Aunt Angela, my Grandmother’s, my little cousins. He cozied up with everyone, from my girlfriend to my uncle to perfect strangers. He would not be ignored. You must rub his head or his belly, or fear the wrath.
He wasn’t just a “pet.”
Those of you who read this blog and my Twitter feed know C.K. too. You’ve seen me post humorous photo essays about the “weiner dog of infinite justice.” You’ve seen me post goofy pictures and videos, notes about his birthday and the like. You’re part of the C.K. story as well.
He was diagnosed today with a tumor in his stomach and had been having trouble breathing. I could not allow him to suffer. I love him too much.
He’ll always be with me and I’ll love him until the day I die.
The outpouring of love and condolences is a testament to my little baby dog and the life he led.
P.S. Those of you who know me a little bit know this, but of course C.K. stands for Clark Kent and not the fashion designer (as if). He was and is in every way a Super Dog.
36 Responses to “C.K.: November 22, 1999 – January 7, 2012”
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© 2000-2011 Oliver Willis
You’ve been “touched by a dachshund.” Once you are, you’re never the same. I went though the same struggle in 09 with my Jasper. You did the right thing, and he knew how much he was loved.
I have tears now for you & C.K.
I know that some day, when you’re ready, you’ll bring another little love into your life – maybe a rescue – and then you’ll know you’ve done good tribute to C.K.
I’ve had little dachshunds and they are wonderful. No matter the breed, though, it’s like losing a member of the family when their time comes. I sympathize and know how much it hurts. I agree with txv… – you did the right thing, but it’s still painful as hell. I lost my beloved lab mix of 14 years around Thanksgiving a year ago. It’s taken me this long to bring myself to let another into my life – a new old dog. Seniors need love too. You’ll know when you’re ready and when C.K. thinks it’s okay for you to have a new mate.
Very very sorry, Oliver.
We who have loved and lost our pets stand with you in your grief. We are acutely aware of how much C.K. meant to you. And we embrace you from afar while you go through these difficult times.
I’m very sorry for you Oliver. I know this kind of loss and how it can hurt. Take care.
Very sad news, Oliver. Thank you for sharing C.K.’s many exploits over the years. He shall always be the Wiener Dog of Infinite Justice.
Very sorry for your loss. CK loved and was loved.
How rotten, losing your great little dog. My sympathies, Oliver.
I think that I have known the Wiener as long I have known you – through your writing – and that is like forever in blog time.
He was a special friend to you and a welcome visitor when you freely shared your love of him on this site.
My condolences.
So very sorry, Oliver.
Good on you for having the courage and selflessness to make the right decision for CK. For all the love our animals give us, we owe them freedom from suffering. I believe our pets experience time differently than we do and I believe that CK would prefer a single joyful minute with you than any number of months or years of stressful, painful treatments.
You did right. And your belief in lifelong love for your little dog is also right. I know this because to this day, I treasure the memory of my own Jamaica, gone for nearly 14 years. A love of a good dog endures always.
So sorry for your loss, OW.
So sorry for your loss. My cat of 15 years passed away a few months ago and I’m still getting over it. It’s very tough to lose the ones you love, no matter how many legs they walk on.
Sorry to be late to this, but is there anything I can do to help?
Best wishes to you and everyone who loved C.K.
Very sorry to learn of your loss Oliver. My cat Smokie was 18 when she died a few years ago, and it is always painful to lose a beloved pet whos been a part of your life. I grieve alongside you today.
Condolences Oliver. We have two dachshunds and it’s been great sharing in your love for CK through the blog. The word “pet” really is inadequate for describing these relationships. Be well and know that you did the right thing by your best friend.
You have my deepest sympathy, Oliver.
My first dog, from when I was just a baby, was half Dachsund and half golden retriever. Picture a golden with little Dachsund legs.
It never gets any easier to say goodbye.
Best wishes and condolences.
Deepest condolences and sympathies. Love to all doggies!
Condolences to you, Oliver. You were both lucky to have found each other.
Oh, Oliver, I’m so sorry to hear that… it’s always awful to lose a friend, so much more so those who don’t have the capability to say, or understand our goodbyes.
You made the right choice… I mean, you might have made another choice, and it might also have been right, but you were guided by love for CK and that’s what matters.
I found out via TBogg about CK’s passing. May I extend my condolences. I’ve always liked dachshunds, and from the photo, I can see CK had soulful eyes and a sweet nature. I’m very sorry for your loss.
I’m very sorry for your loss, Oliver.
I’m sorry for your loss, Oliver. May your pleasant memories last forever.
So sorry Oliver….
http://www.cafepress.com/1dogthinks.34105997
We who choose to surround ourselves
with lives even more temporary than our
own, live within a fragile circle;
easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we would still live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only
certain immortality, never fully
understanding the necessary plan.
— Irving Townsend
[...] Sorry, Oliver. [...]
They always break your heart in the end, but they more than make up for that while they’re still with us, especially a Superdog like CK.
Best fix: start looking for CK II as soon as you’re up to it.
As an owner of four of the little lunatic weiner dogs myself, it always sucks to hear of a deceased dachshund. So my heartfelt condolences on the loss of CK.
max
['Go get another one, that's what helps.']
So, so sorry to hear. I got my beloved pets, two cats, at the suggestion of my then-girlfriend, now-wife, who thought they would help with my postgrad funk. They did, and they are beloved members of my household; even now that I have a good job that I like, I get excited to see them when I come home. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear about CK. I share a house with 4 dachshunds, the oldest two are 14 and 13. Not a day goes by that I don’t worry about how little time I have left with those two little old men. But in the end, I know the sadness will be greatly outweighed by the joy we shared for many years …and dachshund joy is a very special kind of joy as so many know.
I try to be philosophical about what’s coming but I know I’m going to weep like a baby when it does. I’ve been thinking that the best way to express my thanks for many years together is to contact one of the many dachsie rescue organizations pass that love along to another dachshund. Four feels about right for me so that’s what I’ll do.
Oliver is resting, you’re healing, and somewhere out there is a dachshund who needs a good home and someone to love and make laugh. When you’re ready, I can’t imagine a better way to memorialize 12 years of love and affection than to pay it forward. Be well.
I just heard about your dog. I’m sorry you lost a dear friend . I know you loved him, and it must be tough. I’m not a pet guy, but I’m not sure running out and buying another dog “almost but not exactly like” your previous dog is such a good idea . No special reason – just doesn’t feel right…
Anyway, all the best …
So sorry to learn of your loss. As others have noted, you can take some comfort in knowing that you did not allow him to suffer. While the pain of this moment is intense and immediate, realize that your fond memories of him will last far longer.
Losing a treasured member of your family, as our pets often become, is very difficult.
You have my sympathies, Oliver.