Birkie
February 12, 2002
Hi everyone,
I have some very sad news. This past weekend I was visiting friends who kept Birkie while I went on to a training conference Monday and Tuesday. Sometime Tuesday morning, their dog Niiji and my dog Birkie were shot and killed by someone here out on a logging road. It was a senseless, malicious killing at point blank range. I can't imagine who would kill two loving dogs like this.
I am devastated and my heart is broken.
When I got home this afternoon I took Birkie's body up to the ridge and put some tobacco down to honor this big-hearted dog who gave me such joy. Some friends who knew Birkie came over, and many have called. He made a lot of friends and was a sweet, well-loved dog. He went to work with me, ski-jored with me, canoed with me and slept in my bed. I am really missing him.
Please send your thoughts my way and also for some understanding, or at least acceptance for what has happened.
Thanks,
Ruth
715-373-0973
2/12/02
Dear Skip and Ruth,
I am so, so very sorry to hear about what happened. My heart goes out to you both. Please know I will be thinking of you and sending my prayers.
For what it's worth, I want to thank you both for the time we spent together. It meant so very much to me.
Please take special care...
Fran
2/13/02
Ruth, this is shocking. Birkie sounded like a wonderful companion. I hope the idiots who took his life never have a friend as good as Birkie. I hope you can find another friend as good as Birkie.
Erika
This is terrible. Absolutely terrible.
I am devastated and my heart is broken.
Mine would be too. I try to imagine how I would feel if we were to lose one of our cats, and I almost can't bring myself to think of how I would feel.
Skip and Judy have been taking good care of me. I intend to head home with Birkie today (wednesday) and give him a Sky Burial somewhere back in the woods.
That's a good thing to do.
Carl
Hi Ruth,
I hope you made it home safely, and want you to know I'm thinking of you today and wish I could be there for your gathering to honor and celebrate Birkie's life.
I wondered if you would like to meet for a long weekend of Feb. 23 to do some skiing and just be together somewhere up north? I am on Washington Island this weekend for a Land Trust meeting, but could come over the next weekend, or could meet you somewhere like Munising, whatever to just be together.
It is at times like this that being this far away from you makes me so sad - e-mails and phone calls aren't like being there for a hug or a walk.
I love you, of all the people in the world, you are the kindest
gentlest, most gentle soul I know. How to make sense of this - I guess that's a question we can never answer.....but I wish it could be otherwise.
Thinking of you,
I'll call tonight.
I sent your e-mail to John and Jody Jessup, who watched Birkie when you came last year. I know they'd want to know.
Love,
Terrie
Ruth, we're so sorry to hear your news. Everyone has said what a nice dog Birkie was. It is hard to believe for us too. There are too many cruel people in the world. You are traveling today per this message. I will try to call you soon. I really feel even worse because of the cat valentine I sent. I would have chosen a cheery one without pet reminders had I only known.
Margaret and Virgil
Hello Ruth,
Oh, Ruth, that sweet, sweet Birkie gone, and my heart goes out to you, as I have watched you get Birkie, and bring him up to be such a sweet dog - a reflection of your caring personality - and I think of how you talked to him all the time and how you and he had a bond. I am so very, very sorry.
I talked to Jill today and she talked to me about how devastating it must be - she has had dogs she loved - and she talked about how dogs can't protect themselves as easily as humans, and how we have less control over dogs - they run off and stuff, and how their reality is so much different from ours.
But I can well imagine the feelings of love that you have for Birkie, and how you must be feeling now. It's not like he had an accident and your heart is broken in that way, but to be involved with someone who actually murdered your dog - that is something else altogether. I consider that an extrordinary reality for you to have to deal with, and one that most all of us don't have to deal with firsthand. I can imagine that the Joneses are as devastated by the loss of their dog too.
I am coming over to see you around 5:00 this afternoon - then have to come back by 7:00 for an audition at the high school that I am helping Susan oversee. If there is anything particular I can bring, let me know.
Otherwise, I will think of something.
I love you, Ruth, and since I heard the news I have been greatly saddened. I long to give you any kind of emotional relief I can muster. I wish I could bring your darling dog back to you. I am so, so sorry my dear friend.
- Mary
Dear Ruth,
It is awful to hear about Birkie. It was clear how much you meant to each other. He had a good life with you, full of joy and love.
I pray that you learn how to deal with the hole that his passing leaves in your life. I don't know if we can understand, or accept this kind of action. The only solace I can find is in my belief that the only motivation for something like this is the pain inside the perpetrator.
I am sorry I can't make it tonight. I admire your call to your community, it can be so tempting to go it alone, and deny us the opportunity to be with you at such a painful time.
Love,
Kent
2/14/02
Ruth,
Not sure if I told you... When we took Niijii to the place we wanted to leave her out... We picked a tree and when we got to it...there was and eagle feather...Just right where we had said from the road that we wanted to take her... We laid her under the tree, smudged her and all of us, put tobacco down and said our good byes leaver with her the eagle feather, her rope bone toys and a branch of sage...
Our hearts heavy we went through our day... It was hard to go to the CBRF but we did... The place was packed and the love and concern of our elders started our healing... I know all of us will move on... Our next dogs will find us when the time is right and we will commit again and again... We are people who love... shared is growth... While it is and was hard... The experience also strengthened our bond as friends and family...
I hope you sleep well.
Skip
Dear Ruth,
I know what a great dog Birkie was and I know the love and companionship he gave you. I am so saddened to think about your loss and the fact that there are humans out there that could do such a mean thing. My thoughts are with you. Love, Dorla
Dear Ruth,
I am just speechless over your tragic and senseless loss. I am so very sorry for what you must be going through now.
I remember Birkie as being a beautiful, loving and patient friend. There is just no way to justify the horror of this act. There is a very, very sick individual out there.
Ruth, please know that as you make your way through the days ahead, my thoughts will be with you. I hope that the shock of what has happened will be overtaken by the wonderful memories you have of the times you and Birkie shared together.
Much love and strength,
Rivel
Ruth
I'm sorry about Birkie and the other dog. Guns are bad in just about any
context that I can think of, and this is one of the worst.
Judy Olson
Unbelievable. I'm crying for you, Ruth. I'm not even sure what to say, other than my heart goes out to you and I hope you are coping alright. If life allows, perhaps getting another puppy soon would help to fill the void.
I hope whoever did this will be caught and punished somehow.
Barb Barzen
Ruth,
we are out of town but got access to e-mail today. I am in tears and my heart goes out to you. And I am outraged. I keep thinking about it and I can't believe that someone could do that. I know (or have some inkling of knowledge) how important he was to you...truely your constant and loyal and loving companion. And such a sweet, easy to have anywhere dog. Please know that we feel deeply for you. Jack does not know yet (he is at a meeting in Madison)...but I know it will upset him terribly too). I'm still working on trying to understand and accept what happen....I don't yet...you are too good and wonderful a person to have to suffer this...so senseless.
Much love, Mary
Oh Ruth
I'm just devastated to hear this news. My heart aches for you. I don't even have words. Birkie was so wonderful. The two of you had such a magnificent bond.
I've been home with the flu since Sunday, or I'd come find you and give you many hugs and shed tears with you. For now I'll shed my tears here at home.
Please know that I love you, that I love Birkie, that I'll miss him terribly.
There is little understanding of why things like this happen. My mind can't get around the concept.
I'm glad that I had a chance to visit with Birkie before we went out on Thursday night. But now that seems a million years ago.
I know you are a strong person. You also have a great heart. You have many talents. I love spending time with you. You always seem so competent, serene, peaceful, at ease in any situation I've seen you in. It's like basking in a warm glow of all things good to be with you. I love you, dear friend.
Bev
Oh, Ruth--how very awful and shocking..................
I almost called you last night as I looked at the mini iris blooming beautifully... What a terrible, terrible deed...SWEET, SMART, LOVING, PRECIOUS friend he was.... I'm so very sorry....Ruth Ellickson
Hi Ruth:
I am so sorry to hear about Birkie. As a fellow dog lover I can appreciate how close one can get to a dog. I lost my Tucker to cancer two years ago and you would have thought I had lost my child. I was devastated. I still miss him very much.
Your pain is made worse by losing Birkie in such a senseless, violent act.
I am sorry for your loss.
Steve
Ruth,
I am in the everglades and just got my email for the first time in 5 weeks---I only have a couple of minutes because I am in the library. I am so, so very sorry about Birkie. I am trying not to cry---what a wonderful dog---a real treasure. he was one of the few that i would have loved to have as my own. You know that I do understand what you must be going through----I only wish that I could help somehow. What helped me some was writing about Etta, putting down on paper lots of the memories i had of her, the words and gestures she understood, the places and activities we shared. Oh, I ache for you. I will see if I have some of the poems that friends sent with me and try to mail them to you. Please know that I am thinking about you. This is especially hard for those of us who don't live with human families.
Love,
Kristi
Dear Ruth,
It is with such deep sadness that I write. I know what a treasure Birkie was, and what a trusted companion he was to you. This cruel act is unimaginable. Brian's mother-in-law has written a Pet Grief book, and I am going to call now and have her send one to you. I hope this will help you in the process of grieving and coming to terms with what has happened. I think it is something we won't ever understand, and when we ask why it happened, we can only say I don't know.
My heart goes out to you in your loneliness. Take time to grieve for Birkie, remember the wonderful dog he was and the great times you spent together, and take good care of yourself.
Love,
Harriet
Oh Ruth,
I don't know what to say except that I am so, so sorry to hear the news. That breaks my heart as well, makes me cry. It enrages me that someone would do that, but mostly I'm deeply saddened that Birkie is gone, and that I know you must miss him terribly.
Ella has been through a number of close calls - nearly deadly parvo disease as a puppy, eating a bottle of ibuprofen about a year later that almost killed her, and almost being hit by a car (she was under the fender when the car stopped). We've been lucky in that she has survived those incidents, but each time I found myself faced with the real possibility that we could lose her. It's a horrible, desperate, helpless, incredibly sad feeling. Until those times I always thought that the phrase "heartache" was simply metaphorical, but it describes the real pain of losing something that is that dear to you. These incidents have made me acutely aware of how much she means to me, and as a result how vulnerable I am. I am thankful for every day that I have her in my life, how she reminds me daily of my own humanness, and know that each moment is precious. But I know that it will be devastating when we finally do lose her.
We'll miss Birkie too, Ruth. I think Ella had a crush on him, she hadn't been that happy to have another dog around for a few years! Birkie is a dear sweet huge-hearted dog and he'll be missed by all his friends. His presence has been a blessing in your life, cut way too short by a senseless act. I'm so sorry. I'm electronically sending you long comforting hugs, and Ella is licking your face concernedly and then lying close.
Take good care.
Love,
Laura
Ruth,
I was sad to hear about Birkie. Got a note from Barb Barzen. I know it's devastating to lose a best friend dog - been through it several times myself, and it's never been easy. More like gut-wrenching. Just remember those terrific times with Birkie and know that he had the best life he could ever have had with you.
We lost Terra a few years ago. She was our yellow lab before we got Pal. You met Pal when we stayed with you a few summers ago. Terra died unexpectedly from spleen cancer. It came on unexpectedly and very fast. I know there's a grief period you need to go through, but believe me, the very best thing you can do for yourself is to get another pup or dog as soon as possible. A year is too long to wait. I say that out of experience on both sides of the coin - waiting and not waiting... And I've also heard it said by veterinarians who've counseled dog owners over the years.
Take care and best wishes. My thoughts are with you,
Beth Goodman
Ruth, that's horrible, I don't know what to say. I know from experience how much these critters mean to many of us, and I think Birkie was an extra-special person. I also know the heartbreak of losing a pet to someone's thoughtlessness, though at least not intentionally like this.
It's a credit to you that your words are of sadness rather than revenge.
I hope we see you soon!
Steve Braker
Dear Ruth,
As I read your message, I sit in disbelief at the news. Where did this happen? Have the authorities been notified? How are you coping?
Birkie was a great dog and such a part of your life. I can only imagine the loss from such a senseless act. I hope that the laws of Karma apply in situations like this.
Our thoughts are with you.
Love,
Andrew, Sally, Peter, and Nala MacGregor
Ruth: I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your companion Birkie. He was a great dog and I know that my family will be saddened and shocked by the news. Tom Kromroy
Dear Ruth,
How sad to hear of Birkie's death. I know he was family. When I was in the Porcupine Wilderness State Park last year and Frankie was off the leash for a short time, she ran off on a deer trail and didn't return for quite some time. We searched and tracked as it was beginning to get dark and my heart was breaking. She did eventually come back to us while we were in the woods.
What a dastardly thing to do by whomever did the shooting. I've always felt safe in the woods on the road or trails. But this changes things.
Where were the dogs found? I feel like calling every dog owner friend I have and letting them know. A big part of having a dog up here is the freedom of being off leash out of the city. Cruel.
Thank you for the beautiful photos. It reminds me to cherish my dog every day.
Kathleen
Dear Ruth,
I am crying with you. This is real grief. Birkie was one of the coolest dogs I ever met. I'll call and talk with you, but wanted to touch base . This is my third day home with chills and fever, cough, etc.
Hang in there, HUGS and TEARS, Robbye
ruth; i've been thinking about you all weekend. my heart goes out to you over losing birkie. loving a dog is as powerful as loving anyone else close to you. losing a dog you love must be just as hard, too. i wish there was a way to make some sense of all this; i did go home and give my guys a few extra scratches behind the ears because i remembered to appreciate their existance (even when miles vomited on the carpet...). if there was only a way to reach people who do things like this. Toria
I'm glad you have the sheriff on this and unfortunately the "wacko" is still out there.
Think positive! When you adopt your son, wouldn't it be a wonderful thing to get a puppy for you both to share this precious moment of growing together?
Or maybe this would be too much to handle at one time, eh?
No other dog will ever replace Birkie though. We both know that. I lost the "coolest" cat "Buster" to a fisher right before Christmas several years ago and this too was a sad time. Another pet can certainly fill the void of your loss.
Stay in touch! Linda
Hi Ruth:
I am really sorry to hear the news about Birkie. It is hard to grasp what leads people to do such mean/violent
deeds.
I remember what a fun dog Birkie was in the brief encounter I had with him this past summer at Ruth's house warming.
I hope you'll be able to get over this grief soon, but I am sure it will be difficult for a while. I am afraid I am not much good with words of wisdom, but want you to know that you are in my thoughts.
Luv,
Jeff
Ruth,
How terrible and awfully sad for you. I know we would be devastated by the loss of our caninie pals, too. They really are part of the family. Lyle and I are just in disbelief that someone would do this to such a gentle and friendly dog like Birkie. I hope you reported it, maybe they will be able to track down the offenders!
So sorry Ruth. Stay busy. We'll be in touch.
Vickie
Hi, Ruth:
Clayton sent me your Email message about Birkie. I am so sorry to hear about this terrible tragedy. You are in Michelle's and my prayers, and I hope you are finding comfort in the company of friends who are closer than we are.
Your friends,
Ted and Michelle Gostomski
Ruth: We are so sorry to hear about your dogs untimely death...what a strange world we live in. We lost our old Golden to old age last spring and can't get over how much a family pet can be missed (even when replaced with another dog). Have you any idea who shot the dogs and what can be done?
Again, Jennifer and I are thinking about you in this time of sorrow.
With sympathy,
Jennifer and Tim
Ruth:
Jan and I are saddened at what happened to Birkie. He was such a fine dog and I could tell you cared for him greatly. Perhaps the culprit thought the dogs were chasing deer. At any rate it is totally unforgivable.
Jan and I had the much the same experience with a poddle we had for 13 years. We left her with a relative who just for a minute let her run in the yard while he fired their outdoor home heating unit. In that minute the poddle(Dusty) ran out on the highway and was struck by a car which never bothered to stop.
She too is buried on the hill above our house. My consolidation is that relative(a daughter and her husband) may have come to understand how a lapse in watchfulness can be disastrous. They soon after that had a new child and have been I feel very conscientious over watching over the security of their three children.
Our hearts are with you in your grief. They do become family.
Ernie
Ruth, This is horrible. We are so sorry. Thanks for the photos. You two were a lovely pair. ctr
Ruth, I am so sorry to hear of young Birkies demise. He had a great future ahead of him as your family dog. I hope that you can at least get an answer as to why this happened. Chin up dearie! Love, jb
jb
Oh Ruth,
I am very sad to hear about Birkie. I remember meeting him when I visited with you several years ago. The story is sad by itself, but the pictures really did move me as i looked at them and realized how much he has added to your life and how big a loss it is - so senseless. I am sorry.
Lets find a way to talk or visit soon.
I wish you strength, and peace.
Your friend
Fred
Dear Ruth - What sad news - we are so sorry to hear about Birkie. He was a wonderful dog for you, and I'm sure you are still listening for his bark and step. I wish I had some great soothing words for you, Ruth, but I don't believe there are any. You are in our thoughts and prayers at any rate.
Sharon and Ted
That's so sad about Birkie. I don't know what to say about it other than life gives us some tough things to experience. I hope it turns into something good somehow, but I'm sure it's a major downer right now. My condolences.
Buster is 17 now and getting pretty infirm and close to his end, it seems. Hard to see him so weak and spacey - a very different sort of ending than Birkie had, but has the ease of seeming more in the full cycle of things.
It's all a mystery. Good grieving to you.
Roy
Ruth-
I work with Ruth Ellickson at the Madison Training Center and she shared your terrible news with some of us. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss.
I have a jack russell terrier that has become my baby. To think that someone could do such a thing is incomprehensible. It was simply heinous and evil. Your beautiful dog was fortunate to have such a loving and giving mommy. I hope that you find some comfort in your grieving.
May your sadness diminish and be replaced with loving memories!
Cari
Ruth-
My heart goes out to you. Birkie had a wonderful spirit and energy and was always a fun part of a visit with you - did I ever see you without Birkie? It is hard to imagine.
We had a beloved dog which went missing while we were on our canoe trip and we suspect the local rednecks shot her though we have no evidence and her body never turned up. I hope there is some solace for you in the closure of being able to bury Birkie yourself.
Please stop by any time for a visit to our kennel and take one of our new monsters out skijoring.
In Wildness,
Charly
Ruth, I can't believe there are such heartless people in the world. I could very easily do bodily harm to anyone who would senselessly harm a loving pet. I know how hard it is to lose one of them even when it is time for them to go. So my heart goes out to you.
If the person could be found, maybe some justice could be done. They should pay for this heartless act.
Ramona
It is hard to believe that anyone could be so cruel.
Birkie was such a loving companion. You cannot do anything but mourn him.
I am glad that you were with friends and that he had such a loving human companion.
Please send your thoughts my way and also for some understanding, or at least acceptance for what has happened.
Becky was so upset. She said that it was one thing to cry sadly when grandma died, but to cry with anger, too was so much harder. Julia said that she know how sad people get when someone they love dies.
The more I think of it, the person who killed him was sick or mentally ill. What kind of problem will he cause next? If nothing like this has happened before there, it seems that the police should be able to find him. But then again, they may not take it seriously.
Louise
2/13/02
Hi Skip, Judy and all,
I got your message late tonight. I hope the reward brings some info. I am really glad we went into the police office and asked for attention.
I got home around 4:45 and put Birkie in my sled and took him up to the ridge. When I got to the top, the setting sun was reflecting pink on the Lake. I couldn't find any trees, it was mostly clearcut, but I had thought the big pines might have branches, but there were none that I could reach. So I found a nice little open spot and laid him there on top of the snow. I know there is an eagle nest there, and maybe they will find him along with the ravens and others. I did see a cat print, and there may be a bob cat in the area.
People came and went all night with phone calls in between. They are all outraged at the murder of two dogs and how that can lead to worse things. My sister called with the two little nieces sobbing in the background. It was very healing to be surrounded by love even in sadness. When I came down from the ridge I met Mary Rehwald walking up through the snow to meet me... she still had on a skirt and dress shoes and it seemed crazy for her to be heading up the hill, but it was wonderful to see her.
Lots of people knew Birkie, the bookstore owners who always gave him treats, the UPS man, the family that kept him when I would go away, the Islanders etc. I took him everywhere. We talked tonight about his spirit.
I also talked to him the whole trip home. Kind of morbid, but it worked for me. I decided that he gave me several lessons:
I know there will be more lessons too.
I think I will sleep tonight. I am exhausted.
Thank you for your love and concern.
Ruth
Harriet,
Thank you for such a wonderful message. I wanted to tell you something happened today. I talked myself into skiing the trail Birkie and I usually did. I did not want to go on the trail because of the memories. But I headed up to the powerline. I was hoping for a sign about him. (I had taken him up to the ridge yesterday afternoon hoping to find a tree for a sky burial, a platform in the branches).
When I got to the top of the ridge I was disappointed that nothing happened. I went to the overlook Birkie and I always stopped at to look down on Thompson Creek. I turned around to head back along the powerline and down the hill and saw an eagle glide out of a tree very near to where Birkie's body was. That was my greatest hope, that his energy in that body would be used by eagles, ravens and all the other wild things. So the eagle told me it was all right. I was wondering if it was OK to leave his body out on the snow. But now I know it will be honored and eaten by the others. When I got him up there last night, the sun was just setting and the snow on the lake was pink. He is in a beautiful place. Sometime in the spring I will go and look for him. But I will always see him in the eagles that fly overhead.
Ruth
2/20/02
Hi Ruth, thanks for the note. Remember, every minute that passes you are that much further from the origin of the pain. You are such a model to me right now for processing grief. Ros's number is 612-823-3855. I am off to work. I will try you tonight. Best, Jane
Dear Ruth,
I was so sorry to hear about your dog. As a former dog owner, I can only feel empathy for what you must be going through. People are always telling us that life isn't fair, but I have never understood why it is sometimes so unfair to the loveliest people.
With my deepest sympathy,
Jean Meanwell
Dear Ruth,
Janet forwarded your message about Birkie to me. I'm so sorry!!
He was obviously a wonderful and loving companion.
Thinking of you,
-Lois
Ruth,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I know how empty a house can feel when they're not there to greet you. I don't understand what could make someone do something so senseless.
I have happy dog news for you. Our clown Maggie moved in with the Knudson's last week and it sounds like they are all adjusting happily. I miss Maggie but feel she's an awful lucky dog to have inherited that family.
Birkie was a lucky dog too, even though his time was cut short...Erin and All
2/23/02
Dear Ruth,
I hope the healing is setting in... I drove in last night and opened the door and felt the emptiness... People in the area are very supportive and we have reason to believe that it was one of the game wardens that shot our friends... Why??? I think because he could... Sometimes people don't need more than that for a reason... Proving it is something else... We are working on it... I have calmed down and decide that I will continue to keep this an open subject... Use the positive energy of those two spirits to give me the strength to work to end bullying and violence in our community... It seems the only way to truly honor Birkie and Niijii's purity and love...
Do you have a good Picture of Birkie... I want to put out another poster... this one calling for an end to senseless violence in our communities... I'm working on an article for the paper... If you have one you would share please send it down.... I promise to send it back as soon as I have scanned it...
While I have not given up hope of getting the perpetrator to confess and face legal action, I am focusing my energy on the people who want to rally around us and see the world a better place... It would be a fitting memorial to our two friends who found joy in each other and life itself...
Hope your trip to get Alexander goes well...
We dearly love you and hope that your heart is starting to mend...
Skip & Judy
The bonds between people and pets - and those between people - are precious in large part because they are fragile and mortal.
Richard A. Freidman - NYT editorial 2/26/02