In Memoriam Champagen Fizz, My Buddy, My Friend

[Poppa2Hounds]

I feel it has been far too long for me to have written this. But yes, even we Clergy from time to time meet someone in life whose passing becomes difficult to speak of, without being brought to tears. Such is the case with Champagne Fizz.

Champagne Fizz or "Fizzy" as he had affectionately been known, was a larger, all white Greyhound. He had what Donna called "broken ears". I preferred to refer to them as, "left turn" ears. Because when he was facing you his ears would point to the left. (Please see photograph, CLICK ON IT to view FULL!)

Fizzy was about 92 + or - pounds, all of which was muscle. But that was where I came to know him. When Donna first brought him home, I had not yet met her. Donna was working with GPA and Fizzy had previously been placed with a family, who returned him. When Donna received Fizz back, he was little more than skin and bones. His self esteem was almost non existent. He hungered not only for food, but the nourishment of basic human kindness and loving care. With Donna, Fizz never again had to yearn for these essential pleasures. He was fed, loved, nurtured and thrived to the point where I came to know him.

My first true experience with Fizzy was in 2007, when Donna and I took him with us to the GPA National Conference, held in Manchester New Hampshire. We were setting up the tables with the welcome gifts and such. Suddenly Fizzy started to whine that tell-tale song of, "I GOTTA GO RIGHT NOW". I said, "Hold on Fizzy, Poppa's coming right away!" But alas, Nature took its course... right on to the main hall carpet. Less than an hour before people were slated to begin arriving! But I didn't care about that. Fizzy had the most repentant and "sheepish" look on his face that all I could do was hug him immediately, scoop the poop, put his lead on him and take him for a WALK! Of course, leaving behind me an OPEN DOOR to flush out the remaining odor for our expected guests.

While walking him at that point, Fizzy and me came to an understanding that HE was going to be my buddy, and I was going to be his forever friend.

For the next two years, give or take, Donna and I hosted as many as 9 Greyhounds at once in our "Cape Cod" style home. But the one "stand out", the one "squealer / reporter", the one hound who in my absence was Mommy's protector and house watch dog was Fizzy. And without fail, every time I walked through the door, the house teaming with Greyhounds, there was Fizzy with a toy or a ball or something, romping around and dancing with joy, because "Poppa" had finally come home. And we would play, "ruff-a dog". That's basically a "tug o war" game that Fizzy always won, getting the toy from my hands and then triumphantly taking a "victory lap" around the house.

Although 92 pounds, Fizzy became an "Italian" Greyhound one afternoon, when "Poppa" was making spaghetti sauce. See, I had just finished stirring the sauce and was going to put the lid back on the pot. I had the ladle in my hand, which was sort-of hanging at my side. Here's Fizzy, without missing a beat licking the spoon, with red sauce getting all over his "white" muzzle! All I could do was laugh!

Last year, Fizzy decided to make it official... He would become Poppa's "lap dog"! While sitting on the couch with Donna, Fizz would come up and do his signature, "YEOWL", announcing the fact that he was there and wanted our undivided attention. So I started to pet him, rub his throat and fidget with his "broken ears". But this wasn't enough, no not at all. So Fizzy jumped up on the couch and laid right over my lap! A feat that this 92 pound "buddy" would repeat countless times over the next year or so.

Forward now, to a point in time where I began to suspect that something was wrong with my friend. Occasionally Fizz would have digestive problems, or just not be able to eat well. At times he seemed inordinately "needy" for our contact. But this was "Fizzy", our big baby boy. We just thought that he wanted to play or was upset that someone was in a spot that HE wanted. (Fizz WAS famous for that) Until we began to notice that Fizz was losing weight, without explanation. Then he became very sick, almost over night. We took him to the vet who kept him in, gave him IV treatments for dehydration and antibiotics and blood transfusions for a few days while tests were done.

The news we received was of course the worst. Fizzy had been suffering with leukemia. We took him home for a few days with some medications, but it was not long before we knew that his suffering could not be eased by pharmaceuticals any longer.

On the morning of Fizzy's last day, we spent some time, just him and me together. We understood each other the way that only one "buddy" and one "friend" could. So Donna, Fizzy and me went to the Doctors office. As we said our good byes I told Fizzy one more time, You're my buddy... you're my friend. My Champagne Fizzy Dog! Now you go and run, you go see your friends, Ken and Helen and Black Jack and Penny and Annie. But no matter how long it is, I promise you that it won't be too long before you hear from just over this side of the Bridge Poppa calling, "Fizz---y Do--g". And I promise you that when I come, we'll play "ruff-a-dog" for as long as you want!

I will miss you so much my buddy. And I can't wait until our first game of ruff-a dog.

May all who read this know comfort and peace.

Faithfully,

Rev. Jeffrey Betterini, "Poppa"

[2greys]

Hello Donna,
This is Jill (Splash and Buddy's Mom)
I was shocked to read that Fizz has passed over to the Rainbow Bridge. I remember the day you brought him in to the Pelham meet and greet after picking him up from the adoptive home. I have never had seen a dog so skinny, even with his coat on and so sad. Even after a few months with you he had a new lease on life. You have such a wonderful and caring nature.
I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for your loss.
Keep up the good work with the greys. Sorry for the late posting I just read it today
Love Jill

[Coralsmom]

What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. I never knew Fuzzy, but he sounds like he was the greatest..