Bo Michael Coffey died on Sunday afternoon,
November 6, 2005. I’m not really sure how old he was when
he died, but he lived with me for thirteen and a half years.
An old friend, Nancy Mathews Eilen, found Bo roaming free down near
the Atlanta airport back in the spring of 1992. His wandering
companions were a Lhasa Apso and a small black puppy. Nancy,
who is a true animal lover, managed to “capture” Bo and
the Lhasa, but could never get the black puppy to come to her.
Nancy placed flyers with photos of the dogs at hotels and businesses
all around south Atlanta, hoping to find their owners. No one
claimed them. Her next step was to try to find good homes for
the two dogs. Someone took the Lhasa almost immediately, but not
Bo. Nancy’s fiancé, now husband, Gordon, reluctantly
told Nancy that if no one took Bo by the following Sunday, they’d
be forced to take him to the Humane Society.
I first saw a picture of Bo on the bulletin board of a theatre company
where Nancy and I were doing a show together. He was such a
cute boy and when I heard his story, I told Nancy to call me on Sunday
if no one came to take Bo as their own. Even though I already
had two dogs, I made the decision not to let Bo wind up at the Humane
Society.
On Sunday morning, my telephone rang and it was Nancy. Bo was
still unclaimed and, evidently, unwanted. I drove to her house
in Inman Park and saw Bo for the first time, romping in the back
yard with Nancy’s much larger dogs. She called out to
him and he came to us. He was so precious and had such a wonderful
personality. I fell in love with him immediately and he went
home with me that day. I named him Bo Michael.
Bo loved to roam in his new fenced backyard, barking at other dogs
as they passed and at the neighborhood children as they made their
way to and from the school bus that stopped on “his” corner. He
fit in perfectly with the other animals already living with me and
I fell even more in love with him.
My mother wasn’t as accepting of Bo. We already had two
dogs and “we don’t need another one,” she originally
balked. But Bo soon worked his magic on her and she grew to
love him as much as I did.
When my mother became ill and was admitted as an inpatient to Hospice
Atlanta, I’d give Bo a bath and take him to visit her there. His
little toenails would tap-tap-tap on the hardwood floor as he pranced
toward her room. She’d hear him coming, even before seeing
him, and call out, happily, “I can hear my boy coming.” It
was perfectly okay that she was talking about Bo and not me.
After Mother died, my cousin, Kenny, moved in to live with me. Bo
loved Kenny and vice-versa; they were “roommates” for
several years. Bo loved sleeping in Kenny’s bedroom and
would often sneak back upstairs during the day to catch a nap, resting
at the side of Kenny’s bed.
A few months ago, I noticed a growth forming in Bo’s mouth,
on his gum. I immediately knew what it was and my heart sank. The
vet confirmed that it was cancer and told me that because of Bo’s
advanced age, anesthesia and surgery would not be a good option. “Let’s
keep him comfortable and not run the risk of losing him too soon,” she
suggested.
He was fine for several months, then started to decline. He slept much more
than before and wasn’t nearly as spry as he’d once been. I knew
the cancer was taking its evil toll on my boy.
When I returned home from a business trip on Sunday, November 6, I found him
lying next to the water bowl in the kitchen. He was weak and looked oh,
so very sick. Much worse than he’d been when I left just two days
before.
I’d told myself that, when it became painfully obvious that Bo was in real
distress, I’d take measures into my own hands. Even though I detest
the thought of “playing God” and having animals euthanized, I also
believe in being compassionate and humane. So, I made one of the hardest
decisions I have ever had to make. I lovingly wrapped Bo in a towel and
drove him to the veterinary clinic.
The last words I spoke to him were “I love you, my angel boy. Go and
find your Mom.” I know, in my heart and in my soul, that my Mother
- Bo’s “Mom” - met our beloved boy as he crossed over. I
pray that they will both be there to meet me when I, myself, take that incredible
journey.
Some people discount or discredit the death of a pet as being less than it truly
is. To me, Bo was a soul mate, a loving friend and my child. Losing him
has created a massive void in my life. My heart is broken and my soul is
torn. No one even dares to say to me “it was only a dog.” Bo
was so much more than “just a dog.” Bo was cremated and I will retrieve
his ashes early next week. I’ll
bring him home again, where he belongs. Where he is missed. Where
he is loved.
Rest in peace, my angel boy.
Chip
Coffey is a psychic, medium and
tarot reader. Contact 770-806-0369,
chipcoffey@aol.com, www.chipcoffey.com.
Chip
Coffey is a psychic, medium and
tarot reader. Contact 770-806-0369,
chipcoffey@aol.com, www.chipcoffey.com.
