A Dog's Death

SEAMUS
R.I.P 1997-2011

Seamus, usually called Shay or sometimes Seamus the Wonder Dog, died today, March 5. He was 13 and a half years old, and for most of that time was virtually a fixture of the neighborhood. Nicknamed long ago “the Mayor of Woodside Park,” he would lie in our front yard, surveying the passing scene, occasionally offering a bark or two of hello. Other dogs might be alpha-males, but Seamus was an omega, as docile and easygoing as any dog can ever be. In his younger days, he would sometimes wander off and many in the neighborhood have called our house to say “Do you know where your dog is?” Then we’d go fetch him on Pinecrest Circle or in the park near Spring Street, and he’d be thrilled to see us. His favorite activity—even more than eating—was taking walks in the woods, preferably near creeks in which he could splash and fetch sticks. Even in his last months, when suffering from a series of ailments, he remained a wonderful animal friend. In our memory, Shay will always be bounding across the front lawn, full of life and love. We miss him terribly.

Michael Dirda, Washington Post

Seamus sounds nothing at all like Bones.
And he sounds everything like Bones.
R.I.P., Seamus.
R.I.P., Bones.

Dirda goes on to mention a John Updike poem -- two actually -- that are worth reading:

• Dog's Death, and
• Another Dog's Death.

I've never been much of an Updike fan, but after reading these poems, I may have to reconsider.