Heartbroken
by Sewall Hodges
(New York City)
Lily: born 5/11/07 - died 11/3/08; we are heartbroken
Our beloved Lily passed away yesterday morning at the age of 1.5 years. She weighed 10 lbs and was the most beautiful boston terrier I have ever seen. We attended an number of Boston Terrier "get togethers" in New York City and BT owners were all amazed at Lily's unsurpassed physique, stature and personality.
Weighing in at only 10 pounds, she was clearly small, but was not bred to be such. She came from normal parents, bred in Massachusetts by reputable breeders. For some reason she remained small. Her proportions were truly remarkable, surpassing even the most handsome of Boston Terriers. As with many of her breed, her personality was in true Boston tradition: loving, playful, and radiant.
Unfortunately she passed suddenly after a very short (only hours in duration) illness that did not seem at all serious. We are devastated by her passing and can not fathom what illness took her from us. We are wracked by our decision to wait those precious hours to take her to a veterinary doctor, as her illness did not seem something that would at all be fatal. In death she was as beautiful in life. I held her for over an hour after she had departed and her expression and repose was as beautiful as ever.
Everyday I walked Lily and each day I would be stopped by one, two, three or more strangers that wanted to admire her and inquire about her. People would see us from afar and cross busy streets to come look at her. Her admirers would also always want to pick her up to cuddle, given her size. Other dog breeds simply could not stand up to her poise, posture, energy and presence. When she was playful with other dogs during our walks, onlookers would burst out with laughter and glee at her antics and playful poses. No pictures really do her justice. We buried her today in Dorset, Vermont, where she spent her early months. Her grave is marked by a lovely Vermont white marble slab which will be engraved with her name and a few words in her honor. Words can not express our grief and loss.
