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National Dog Day and Silas

Today is National Dog Day. It falls on August 26 every year, but without being aware of the “holiday,” my sister and I adopted a rescue dog named Silas on August 26, 2013.

Photo of Silas just days after he adopted us.
Silas just days after he adopted us.
Silas kissing me the day “our” vintage postcard book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, arrived on July 23, 2014.

Silas died on Feb. 14, 2022, after a valiant struggle with several health problems, including insulin shots every 12 hours.

I still miss him every single day, so on this National Dog Day I remember Silas on my blog as I repurpose my blog post (My Little White Dog) from the week after he died:

2/21/22 Blog Post: “My Little White Dog”

My little white dog died last Monday. He was the perfect dog for my sister and me, and we will forever miss him. It’s been a difficult week, but each day gets a little bit easier as we deal with our loss.

Those of you who are “dog people” understand. Those of you who aren’t, I can’t explain to you how sad it is to lose one.

Notice his Carolina Panthers pillow in the background.

He was a rescue dog, and we’ll never understand how his former family turned him out to fend for himself in a city until he was picked up by the county’s animal control personnel. He was rescued from the animal shelter by a dog rescue organization, and it was through that organization that this sweet little white dog adopted my sister and me.

He took us on as his project. I guess we were his “purpose.” He helped us do everything and was our constant companion and caregiver. I think he thought we were helpless, and that’s why it was so hard for him to let go last Monday afternoon.

He was so proud the day in 2014 when my vintage postcard book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina arrived!

I tried to determine if the poem, “My Little White Dog,” by Nell Gay White was in the public domain, but I couldn’t find any information about Ms. White or her poem. I’m going out on a limb here and sharing that poem with you today. I copied it years ago because it touched my heart. I didn’t even have a little white dog at that time, but the one pictured in this blog post has given my sister and me joy every single day of the last eight and one-half years.

My Little White Dog, by Nell Gay White

“I wonder if Christ had a little white dog,

All curly and wooly like mine,

With two silly ears and a nose round and wet,

And two tender brown eyes that shine?

“I’m sure if he had, that little white dog

Knew right from the first he was God.

He needed no proof that Christ was divine –

But just worshipped the ground where he trod.

“I’m afraid that he hadn’t because I have read

That he prayed in the garden alone;

For all of his friends and disciples had fled

Even Peter, the one called a stone.

“And, Oh, I am sure that a little white dog

With a heart so tender and warm,

Would never have left him to suffer alone

But creeping right under his arm.

“Would have licked those dear fingers, in agony clasped,

And counting all favors but loss,

When they took him away, would have trotted behind

And followed him quite to the Cross.”

Until my next blog post

Take care of yourself.

Hug your dog.

Janet

27 thoughts on “National Dog Day and Silas”

  6. I came across that poem decades ago and saved it because I love it and I loved all dogs. It was a perfect fit for Silas when he came along and rescued my sister and me. Silas never was one to understand the concept of personal space!

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  15. He was a wonderful little companion, Carol. I came across the poem in a publication decades ago. I cut it out and saved it because I have always loved dogs so much. When Silas rescued my sister and me, I immediately remembered the poem. It described Silas perfectly. I do believe if he had been Jesus’s dog, he would have faithfully followed Him all the way to the cross.

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  18. Janet, thanks so much for sharing his love and life with us. He’ll be wagging his tail as you enter through the Pearly Gates! 🥰 Thanks so much for sharing this treasured story my dear! 🙏🏼

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  19. I completely understand your love for your dear dog, and also your grief after losing him. We have two cats living in our home, and I couldn’t bear to lose them either. A pet is truly a family member, and when you lose it, it is such a sad thing. From your photos I can see that he was a beautiful and sweet little one.

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  20. That’s hilarious! Dogs have such a sense of humor, too. Silas would pass gas and then give everyone in the room a dirty look as if to say, “Who did that? That’s disgusting!” I feel sorry for people who have never known the love of a dog. That’s part of TACO’s problem.

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  22. There is a wide and deep hole in my heart now that I can no longer have a pet. At our stage of life, my sister and I agreed that we couldn’t commit to caring for another dog. The medical expenses are prohibitive. Silas was such a treasure!

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