My little dog Ed was born on October 27th, of 2000. He was one of three pups born to Minnie, their mother.
Ed was unusual right from the start. He stood out, different from the other pups. Probably explains my choice in naming him Ed. He has always been unique in his own way.  Ed is/was a tan colored mixed breed of Chihuahua, Dachshund and Terrier. Short small dog with a short small name.  A creature, that was so full of love, compassion, and understanding. A sweet soul who would give the very best and loving hugs. As he looked up at you with the most beautiful brown eyes, eyes so full of everything!
As a puppy he played alone or sat alone watching his brothers, or his people. Content, on doing his-own thing.
I took care of Minnie and her pups when their owner, Wendy was away for a day or longer. Giving me, the time to form a bond with the “dogs”, in the process. And favoring Ed, I quickly became attached to him. Seeing similarities between him and myself, two loners. Even as a child, I spent a lot of time, alone. Which would seem hard, given the fact I had seven siblings. But I had always enjoyed my own company. Finding things to keep myself occupied with, was easy. As a child, I’d spend time alone in the woods, or sitting under a tree in our yard. Talking to God and pondering life.
During my time caring for the pups, I’d watch Ed. I saw this same uniqueness in him. Ed was a loner, just like me. And he seemed to have no problem with it, either.
I came over regularly to see the dogs, playing with all of them each time. Gaining their trust along the way.
By the time the pups were old enough to be given away, I wanted Ed with all of my heart. He’d touched me in a deep and profound way. At the time, little did I realize just how profound. I watched him as he held his head up high, like he didn’t need anyone.
I saw myself so strongly in him, I related to him. I needed him, like I hoped he needed me. In my mind, we belonged together. So, I set about on a plot to get my husband Al to allow me to have him. I had told Al, that he needed this pup. I convinced him, with such conviction, that Ed needed him. Although, Ed had no name at the time, I just referred to him as the puppy. I presented Al with all of the pros and cons of adopting, this puppy. Maybe I convinced myself, more than him with this thought, that he needed this little dog. I don’t know, but at the time, all that I knew, was that Ed had to come home to live with us!
Finally, Al agreed. And gleefully, I went to my neighbors’ house, to claim the little dog! Running across the road like a little girl, so happy! Picking up my puppy! I’d never wanted a dog before in my entire life. I’d always favored cats, this wasn’t like me, it was very unusual. But there was something about Ed. There still is, in fact, even in death, he’s affecting people. He makes you love him, even if you don’t like dogs. He makes you love him, even if you never knew him. He manages to get into your heart, making you love him. He’s so special, so loving. Just an entirely amazing, little creature, something some people would call a dog.
A word, that I now find, offensive.
I’m sure you’re wondering how I’d never loved a creature like Ed before. And yes, I know it’s hard to imagine someone not liking dogs, but it happens. I was one of those people. It’s not that I really didn’t like dogs, It’s just that I’d never had the chance to get to know one to this extent. Or taken the time, to actually do it. We did have many dogs, as I was growing up. And Al and I had many, as pets for our children over the years. But remember? As I said, I’m a true, cat lover. And I still love cats. Cats seemed to relate to me, as I to them. Aloof, and seemingly needing no one.
I taught Ed to respect cats. He wouldn’t chase them, even when he would have liked to. But being a dog. He would gladly chase them, if I gave the Ok to do so. And that was only on the occasion when one was hurting one of mine. But he never hurt them, he just chased them away.
I have two cats, Elmer and Riley. In life, Ed hung out with them he played with them too. He protected them if needed. It’s pretty funny, but I’ll let you in on a secret. Shh, don’t tell Ed. But when I called my cats, Ed came running too! It always made me laugh it was so funny to see!
Ed has been with us for almost eight years now. Eight, wonderful years! He’s healed my heart, when I thought it could never heal. Alter, losing our 24 year old son Mark, to a auto accident. Sweet, wonderful, and compassionate Ed was there every time I cried, hugging me in his special way. Laying his head against my chest. Looking deeply into my eyes with his lovely brown ones. Eyes that held more love than most human ones can or ever do.
He slept with us every night. Snuggling close and grumbling if we moved around just a bit too much. He wouldn’t go up to bed, until I did. Even if, it meant giving up some of his sleep.
Ed has taught me more about love, compassion and giving. Than I believe any human ever could, except for my son, in his death. Ed is more than a dog. He was and is a true friend, a friend in every sense of the word. Dog seems like such a negative word, to me, a word unfitting of such a grand, awesome companion. And yet, Ed is a canine, a dog. But Ed was and is so much more than that! He was and is pure, love! Pure simple, utterly perfect and unconditional, pure love!
I would have done anything I could have to humanly help him, in any way possible, while he was here with us. And then the worst happened and Ed did need my help. After what I’d thought was a cat scratch on his eye, had came up. I took him to see his veterinarian. It was then discovered that my good, sweet friend was very sick.
Ed had Canine Lymphoma. A nasty, cruel, senseless disease! A disease that picks and chooses whom or what it will. I’ve had to watch in utter pain and sadness as my wonderful friend, deteriorated. And then suddenly he’d appear to be better! I rejoiced with and for him, in these times. I prayed for a complete healing for him! I laid my hands on his body, asking the Lord to send down his white healing light to save my sweet Ed.
But God works in mysterious ways, some prayers are answered and sometimes they are not.
I did research on the internet, I took him to see his veterinarian. I gave him the best of food, and herbs to boost his immunities, vitamins too. All the while loving him completely and enjoying every moment I had with him. I did everything that I could for him, including praying for him every day. I asked others to pray for him too. And they did, God bless their souls.
 Ed’s favorite thing in life, aside from food, was going for rides in the truck or my Jimmy and daily if possible. So, we gave him lots and lots of rides! Ed gave us so much and we gave back all that we could. And knowing what I know how, we’d do it all tens times over, if we could only be given the chance to do it again! Ed didn’t deserve this. No beloved pet or human deserves this rotten fate!
Ed was and is pure love, pure gold, pure good, pure of heart and soul. And now, he’s a pure angel of light! He certainly didn’t deserve this dreadful disease, that we call cancer! So, I asked the dear Lord.  Why? Why would you take my beloved Ed? A passionate, loving creature! One who only did his good while upon this earth.
I’m beginning to understand Lord: you didn’t take Ed. You gave him to us, for us to learn to love better. You lent him to us, so that we could learn and know the true meaning of, pure love. Pure love, pure forgiveness, pure compassion, “pure purity” in its most beautiful sense of the word! You gave him to us, if only for awhile.
A life is not measured by, days, months, years, hours, minutes or seconds, as I once may have thought. A life is measured, by who and what you were and are. By how much you loved and how you affected others. By leaving, “your” lasting impact upon others. A life is measured by what you did while here, leaving your beautiful footprints behind.
Mr. Ed, has left his beautiful footprints, on my soul. He’s left fantastic, beautiful, funny and happy memories of who and what this little creature of God was. He was and is still made of pure, perfect, love!
While here he made me laugh, even when I wanted to cry.
My dearest sweet friend Ed, you will never be forgotten, or loved any less. I have saved a spot forever for you, in my heart, dear friend. For you have touched me, beyond measure! You have touched my soul beyond mere human words, capabilities! You’ve touched me within my entire being, throughout my soul in its completeness!
I love you, sweet Mr. Ed, rest in peace my buddy. And, play! Play gleefully with abandon and in utter joy, dear friend! We will meet again, I know. Someday, on the other side. And I will romp and play with you in my dreams. I will await to see you again, until my time here has ended too.
And Ed, I can see you playing with Mark and all of the other angels! Thank you Mr. Ed, for you were mine.
Shirley Mueller
September 8th, 2008




Mr. Ed, we will always love you and miss you. You have made a difference in all of our lives!
God bless you:
Little buddy, My Pumpkin Seed, our Puppy Log, Little Lumpkin, Pupplelumpkin, Pollywog, Puppylogenheimer, Logmeister, Logenheimer, Eddie Ziffal, Edwardo, Edweirdo, Boogey Berry, Ed Loggenberry, Ed Luppy Hound, Bingle-Butt, Bingleberry, Lugi, Little Sausage, Sausage Roll, Duki Berry, Ed Barker Turd Parker, Dudly Buddly,  Boogey Boy, Snuggle Bumpkin, Puppy Dog!