Clary & James Eternal Pawprints
“The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.” – George Graham
It all started with a puppy…and then a few years later, another puppy. Each with a unique story and place within our family.
Clary
Clary came into our lives during a season when our kids had been begging for a dog, their dreams filled with wagging tails and playful paws. It was our daughter who locked eyes with this puppy and the rest was a sealed deal…even though dad resisted. Up until then, we had only known the quiet companionship of cats, but Clary changed everything. She was a whirlwind of energy—a Catahoula Hound Dog mix whose lively spirit swept through our family like a fresh breeze. From the moment she arrived, she kept us on our toes with her boundless zest for life.
Her nose, always curious, often led her into trouble, and she had an uncanny knack for crossing paths with skunks—though she never quite learned that lesson. She found joy in rounding up our horses, her natural instincts shining through, and loved nothing more than curling up for a snuggle in any lap that would hold her.
Clary’s life was not without challenges. She weathered a torn CCL, survived a dog attack, and faced cancer with the same quiet strength she brought to everything. In her later years, as liver failure began to slow her down, she never let it dim the love she gave so freely. Through it all, she was our steadfast companion, a constant source of love and light.
For 15 wonderful years, Clary filled our home with laughter, loyalty, and unforgettable moments. When it came time to say goodbye, we held her paw, our hearts breaking as we let her go. She wasn’t just our dog—she was family, and her memory will forever be a part of us.
James
James entered our lives with a touch of refinement and purpose, his beginnings tied to a mission greater than most dogs could imagine. Our daughter, became a first-year puppy handler for the Guide Dog Foundation while studying at the University of North Carolina, and was entrusted with his care. Together, they navigated college life—attending classes, work shifts, parties, and even traveling on buses and planes.
Early on, James faced a challenge: a swallowing issue that required careful monitoring by the Guide Dog Foundation. For months, his progress was closely watched, as his future as a guide dog depended on it. By his first birthday, it became clear he wouldn’t graduate from the program; his condition, though manageable, made him unsuitable for the rigorous demands of a service dog’s life.
When the decision was made to release him from the program, his puppy handler—our daughter—was given the first opportunity to adopt him. James always at her side as she graduated from UNC. As first jobs require, she prepared to move to New York City, but space in an NYC apartment and three roommates didn’t allow for 80 pound James. James came to live with us.
He quickly became part of our family, forming a close bond with Clary, our spirited Catahoula mix. The two were inseparable, accompanying us weekly to the farm and joining us on countless family vacations. James’s calm, steady presence perfectly complemented Clary’s lively energy, and together they brought balance and joy to our lives.
James’s time with us, though full of love and adventure, was heartbreakingly short. At just seven years old, he woke one morning in distress. Within hours, he was gone, taken by a hidden stomach tumor we never knew existed. His loss was sudden and devastating, but his memory remains a testament to his gentle nature and the countless ways he enriched our family.
The Art
With the unexpected loss of James and a senior dog in liver failure, who would leave us just three month later, I was heartbroken. I took this energy and spent time in my studio processing the pain and all the love these eight paws brought into my world in such a short time. I started with a written poem inspired by a book that had been in our family for a few years. And then I began to paint.
Clary at the Gate
When Clary arrived at the Gate, there sat James patiently waiting, tail thumping, ready to run, dart, and dash about with his greetings.
Together again, back and forth, past the stars, through the grass, around the sun and the moon, stopping and starting with puppy excitement.
Now, forever surrounded by God and Angels with their soft warm laps, and around them both, the horse and cat family from all the years past.
James led Clary to a secret little path for the humans that are missed, to sneak back home for a gentle nudge, or to watch from afar, just to make sure.
When the day comes that the humans follow that path; animal treasures will be waiting at the Gate with thumping tails and warm welcome kisses.
Epilogue
In the few short months before Clary passed, we located another puppy to help bridge the loss of James and to give Clary a dose of cheer. She enjoyed watching the antics of a baby in the house
“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog. It merely expands the heart.” – Erica Jong
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” – Will Rogers
