Sarge was a Malamute... What kind of story do you expect from someone named MalamuteMan? "Officially" he belonged to someone who had adopted him to save him from being shot because he had killed some chickens. I say officially because he lived in a little beach community here on Whidbey Island, and he was actually cared for by the whole community. We used to see Sarge lying in the middle of the road in front of the public park at the beach. From the very first time I met him I sensed his huge heart and gentle spirit.
One year, after the Fourth of July parade, as we were cycling away from the beach community I saw that Sarge had walked almost 2 miles from his usual stomping... er... laying-around grounds, a very long way for his arthritic body to go. A county sheriff had him by the collar, so I rode up to the officer and explained that I was pretty sure he lived up by the public park, to which the officer said he would drive him back to that area and drop him off. Before riding away I also noticed that Sarge was a mess. "Mess" really doesn't adequately describe his sad state of affairs. He had NO HAIR on his sides... this is a Malamute... a healthy Malamute has glorious thick hair. Sarge's naked sides were covered with skin sores, he was filthy dirty, and I could see he was suffering. He was one great big ITCH! But he was so arthritic he couldn't scratch himself, a blessing in disguise because he probably would have made the sores worse if he could have scratched them. I could see his hind leg was kind of quivering the way a dog's leg quivers when we find that special spot on their back or chest to scratch. But Sarge didn't have anyone who would scratch him because he was so filthy. The officer put Sarge in his car and we rode away.
A couple of hours later, pacing up and down in our living room, I told my wife, MalamuteWoman, that I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't go back to help Sarge. I drove back to the beach, found the "official" owner, and asked him if there was anything I could do to help Sarge. I mentioned that my own dog, a Malamute, had recently died. I'm not sure what I said that was so compelling, but Sarge's owner offered to give him to me right then and there.
We took Sarge home and cleaned him up. I will never forget the way he looked after that first bath. I doubt he actually enjoyed the bath itself, but after it was finished he looked like he thought he had died and gone to heaven. For the first time in a very long time he didn't itch. He radiated gratefulness!
Over the next three years we looked after Sarge. With all the medications, bandages, and whatnot Sarge needed we could have opened our own pharmacy. He had various surgeries and innumerable visits to our vet and other veterinary specialists. We spent substantially more on Sarge's healthcare over those three years than we did on ourselves, but it was worth every penny!
For the next two Fourth of July parades Sarge was the Grand Dog Marshall. I have had several dogs, all of them have been wonderful, but Sarge was truly special. Whenever we brought him back to the beach community people were so glad to see him. He was deeply beloved by everyone who knew him. He taught me something about integrity and kindness I really can't put into words.
Sarge didn't quite make it to that third Fourth of July parade. After he died I wrote this:
Goodbye Sarge.
I want to thank you for adopting us. You saved me from the guilt and sorrow of loosing Kibo. It was a privilege to know you, to care for you, to see you persevere with courage and determination through all the hardships you endured, to receive your friendly greetings, to hear your sweet soprano voice, and to experience all your dog wisdom. You were a wonderful friend and mentor to Arlo. We are bringing you back to your home at Maxwelton beach and to your home at Dog Song. We will all miss you. May you rest in peace. We love you Sargie...
This is a republication of an article I wrote about 4 years ago. Sarge died 10 years ago last May... Arlo is not 13 1/2... His cousin, also lives with us... she is 11 1/2, severely diabetic, and completely blind as a side effect of her diabetes.
This is a great story, and you have such a big heart for taking Sarge in. God bless you.
I love this story. It was one of your best, because it shows so much heart. It is always sad to lose our furry friends, but I am sure that when you think of Sarge, you only remember the good times.