Zooey and Cosmo

When my sister Joy was dying, my wife at the time and I promised to take care of her two dogs, Zooey and Cosmo (at right).

Earlier, Joy had told me that she was very worried about what would happen to her dogs after she died (she had breast cancer). She told me that, because she was worried about her dogs, that she had decided not to die.

I did my best to take care of Cosmo and Zooey, although I deeply regret leaving town when Cosmo was very ill with a bowel disorder. While I was gone, he stayed at his vet, but he got very weak just before I returned, and died a day or two after I got back. He was 11 years old.

When my bulldog Cholmondeley died (of congestive heart failure), I was hurt so much that I swore I would never get another dog... but I did. And I loved Molly, Cosmo, and Zooey. They were like siblings.

Zooey died in July of 2005 here in Austin. I had gotten in touch with Austin Aussie Rescue so I could get a companion for Zooey....... after she died, I took two Aussie mixes (Stacy and Clyde) as foster dogs. Stacy got a home. Clyde got a home with me. In November, Luna joined the family.

There are no happy endings. There are happy dogs.

And two of them live with me.