Obituary for Winston Shaffer
Winston came into our lives in late November, 2009, by airplane from Victoria, TX. He was born in San Francisco and was a TV star. (He was used in a tv ad for a shelter and would have been euthanized if not adopted.) From California he moved to Texas where he lounged by the swimming pool. We agreed to take Winston as his owners were moving again and unable to have an animal in their home. Lucky us! What they didn’t realize was that Winston really wasn’t an animal, but a person in disguise.
He was very frightened when he arrived dressed in a Santa suit. After taking the suit off in the airport, we hurried to our car, Winston leading the way even though he had never seen our car. Winston would have gone anywhere with anyone as he was tired of traveling in a crate and really hated the outfit. We stopped at Wendy’s on the way home for a couple of burgers.
The first night was the worst as the sedative he had been given prior to flying made him groggy and tipsy. As time went on, he settled in easily and appointed himself “greeter” to anyone who came to our home. Our grandchildren knew him from the time they were babies. They loved to play with him and walk him. He was loved by our neighbors and received “treats” from them when he went trick-or-treating (dressed in a costume of course). I think my favorite was “super dog” wearing his cape.
One night he disappeared during a bathroom trip outside in a snowstorm. We hadn’t connected him to the stake outside as we thought this would be a fast trip – it was a heavy snow. While frantically calling and searching for him, he was seen coming down the street with one of our teenage neighbor girls. He knew all the kids and was approved by their parents as he was lovable, gentle and never barked.
We had many wonderful experiences with him. He was a super great dog, perhaps a bit lazy as he did love his afternoon naps. He slept on a dog bed with his head on a pillow. He liked to be in a room with one of us.
Since he didn’t bark, the local deer and rabbits didn’t seem afraid of him. They would have a staring match, but wouldn’t bother to get out of his territory.
Although we fed Winston dog food, he hurried to the kitchen every time a person walked into it. You never know when someone might give you a treat. He was first at the door when the pizza man arrived with our pizza.
We had many wonderful experiences over the 10 years we had him. He was genuinely a good dog. Although Winston was his name, he was also known by “Poochie”. He would answer to just about any name, particularly if it involved petting and perhaps a treat.
It was difficult to let him go when he became ill with cancer from a fatty tumor. He also had a neurological problem with his legs, causing him to fall. Options for treatment were limited as his heart had stopped previously during surgery and his many other tumors could also become cancerous. He had a peaceful departure with our family present and a prayer said.
We loved him and miss him dearly but wouldn’t have missed the experience to be the owners (or the other way around) of Winston.
Jeff, Henry, Lynne, Jim, James, Benjamin, Aubrey, Marshall, Jamie and Dan
This is to certify that this loving pet will be remembered forever.
Always and Forever. Always in our hearts. Forever in our memories.
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He was very frightened when he arrived dressed in a Santa suit. After taking the suit off in the airport, we hurried to our car, Winston leading the way even though he had never seen our car. Winston would have gone anywhere with anyone as he was tired of traveling in a crate and really hated the outfit. We stopped at Wendy’s on the way home for a couple of burgers.
The first night was the worst as the sedative he had been given prior to flying made him groggy and tipsy. As time went on, he settled in easily and appointed himself “greeter” to anyone who came to our home. Our grandchildren knew him from the time they were babies. They loved to play with him and walk him. He was loved by our neighbors and received “treats” from them when he went trick-or-treating (dressed in a costume of course). I think my favorite was “super dog” wearing his cape.
One night he disappeared during a bathroom trip outside in a snowstorm. We hadn’t connected him to the stake outside as we thought this would be a fast trip – it was a heavy snow. While frantically calling and searching for him, he was seen coming down the street with one of our teenage neighbor girls. He knew all the kids and was approved by their parents as he was lovable, gentle and never barked.
We had many wonderful experiences with him. He was a super great dog, perhaps a bit lazy as he did love his afternoon naps. He slept on a dog bed with his head on a pillow. He liked to be in a room with one of us.
Since he didn’t bark, the local deer and rabbits didn’t seem afraid of him. They would have a staring match, but wouldn’t bother to get out of his territory.
Although we fed Winston dog food, he hurried to the kitchen every time a person walked into it. You never know when someone might give you a treat. He was first at the door when the pizza man arrived with our pizza.
We had many wonderful experiences over the 10 years we had him. He was genuinely a good dog. Although Winston was his name, he was also known by “Poochie”. He would answer to just about any name, particularly if it involved petting and perhaps a treat.
It was difficult to let him go when he became ill with cancer from a fatty tumor. He also had a neurological problem with his legs, causing him to fall. Options for treatment were limited as his heart had stopped previously during surgery and his many other tumors could also become cancerous. He had a peaceful departure with our family present and a prayer said.
We loved him and miss him dearly but wouldn’t have missed the experience to be the owners (or the other way around) of Winston.
Jeff, Henry, Lynne, Jim, James, Benjamin, Aubrey, Marshall, Jamie and Dan
This is to certify that this loving pet will be remembered forever.
Always and Forever. Always in our hearts. Forever in our memories.
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