Pretty and I were privileged to share our home and family for the past five years with a little old man named Carl. He was supposedly 12 years of age when he came our way, quite a mess health wise but full of courage and spunk. Carl’s world had shrunk dramatically in the past few months due to a total loss of hearing, limited vision, stage four heart murmur, and arthritis in his back legs that made any movements difficult. His sideways gait seemed to make his sundowner pacing in the afternoons more agitated. On Friday, May 9th., 2025, we said our final goodbyes to this terrier mix. Our pain was one we recognized and remembered, a pain that was still fresh from Spike’s passing six weeks ago.
Carl reminded me a little of The Red Man –
I hope they get to meet somewhere to swap stories
Red could tell Carl about the Lexington County Animal Shelter where Pretty rescued him, and Carl would have a few stories of his own that only he knew. Pretty also rescued him; they could compare notes on how she managed to keep them without running their redemption past any other family members. Pretty knew best.
Carl in July, 2020 when he came to us
Carl the dog with nine lives in April, 2022
Carl on patrol in back yard – he loved his yard
Carl looking dapper after grooming (April, 2022)
Carl sharing space with Charly next to my chair in den – 2024
Carl in April, 2025
Pretty and I still grieve the losses of Sassy, Smokey Lonesome Ollie, Paw Licker Annie, The Red Man, Tennis Ball Obsessed Chelsea, and six weeks ago our other old man Spike – Carl was loved with that same passion. We will miss his spunk, spirit, bravado, loyalty, and adoration – our home won’t be the same without him. His urn was engraved Carl Williams Morris: A Warrior Heart.
May he go to the Place of Endless Treats and rest in peace.
I'll Call It Like I See It 
Comments
13 responses to “Losing Carl”
I feel your pain. They give so much compared to what they give us and over such a short life. Praying for peace!
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Thanks, Millie M. Hugs and kisses from Pretty, Charly, and me
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So hard to let go…
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It’s a struggle every day. Thank you.
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So many mates and acquaintances for the dear boy to meet up with. Your loss is perhaps his gain? It’s getting quieter and quieter round your place – any plans to address that or are you waiting for fate and Pretty to solve that?
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Pretty and I got a good laugh on this one, Annie!! It is quiet, but then we’ve had the high drama of Pretty in the hospital over the weekend for emergency gall bladder removal. She came home yesterday.
Poor Charly has been afraid the Rapture occurred, and she was the only one not taken.
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Crikey! Poor Pretty – must have been a shock. Yes Charly will be very nervous now 😀
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From the look on his face over the years you gave Carl a fabulous life of love and treats and pets and love and he gave it right back.
Sweet boy.
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He was such a sweet boy. He had a tough life, but he fought the good fight with every ounce of his little body. Thanks so much, Bob.
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What and adogable sweetheart. I am so sorry for your loss.
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Love the “adogable” sweetheart. I had to look twice! Thank you so much, my friend.
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All dogs go to Heaven. I hope Poppy doesn’t steal his good boy treats. She was a rascal and probably hasn’t improved much under St. Peter’s watch!!
Sending love and hugs because losing them hurts like hell.
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I am sure Poppy and Red have become the best of friends and will be thrilled to welcome new residents – wouldn’t count on them for Welcome to Heaven treat baskets, though. They both were happier keeping those to themselves!!
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