Goodbye, My Sweet Little Tommy Lee... goodbye.

GRAPHIC DETAIL:   DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH!

Today was a horrific day.

Mom & Dad have been keeping my Min-Pin, Thomas "Tommy Lee" since my little Sprout was born because I was afraid, in his grumpy old age, that he might bite her. Tommy Lee was spoiled silly, and he loved his mamaw. She was his "bestie." Unfortunately, when I spoke to mom this afternoon, she was devastated, and since she knew I was on the road, she was hesitant to tell me what was wrong, but she did.

She had let our Tommy out to potty, like she had done 1,000 times before, but Coco (her Poodle, and Tommy's buddy) didn't go with him, as he usually did.  Tommy went up the road, and not very far, and he was gone for just a bit too long, and mom was worried.  Tommy would always come to her when she called. Always. 

Mom asked my nephew to go look and call for him.  So, my nephew, and Coco, went in search of Tommy.  They weren't gone long at all, and Terry came running back to the house with tears streaming down his face.  He was heartbroken.  Coco had found Tommy, and tragically, Terry had seen this horrific image of our little dog. Something had bitten Tommy Lee right in half.  My Thomas was about 8-10 pounds of ferocious little stuff, my little man, and true to his Min-Pin nature, he never backed down, from anything. Ever.  He must have sensed something on his turf and went to check it out, and that was the last thing he did.

I just remembered a funny story of something that DID scare our Thomas, once.  One day, he was out on our front stoop, and a small bird flew overhead, and it cast a shadow.  Poor Thomas got so scared that he fell right off the porch barking at the bird!  But, back to the story.

Sprout and I had been in town all day, so when I had called mom to see if she needed anything before I left, she explained this whole story to me.  I got her stuff, and I headed over to my parents' place.  I was so hesitant to go say goodbye to my boy because I wanted to treasure the last day I'd seen him: two days ago, when I was sneaking cheeseburgers to him under the table.  We had a good day, that day, my Tommy and me.  But, I did.  He was my good boy, and I owed him that final respect.  That last bit of recognition for all of his loyalty throughout the years.

We don't know what it was that killed him, but we suspect it was coyotes because the hunters had noticed some in the woods during turkey season.  We do know there is a small black bear on the prowl, within 10 miles of home, and that is also a cause for concern.  So, I finally said my last respects to Tommy, and I am glad that I did - as hard as that was to do - and it was.  As horrific as the image was of my boy, I at least know now that he did not suffer - not for long.  He couldn't have.  The was no middle to him.  At all.  Just his beautiful head, and his fat little rump... the rest was just... nothing.  Only his skeleton held him together, like some silly bit of cable.

I write this now, not to gross anyone out, but to remind them to not take their personal safety for granted.  I know I've been fearless going out late at night with my super silly dogs, and now, I won't.  Tommy's attack happened close to 5:00 p.m.  Still in the light of day.  And, so close to the house that it's just scary as hell. 

Since I've told others about Tommy's attack, I've heard there have been many coyote attacks in this area.  My sister's friend said that a pack of wild coyotes attacked, and killed, her cat, who was sitting on her back porch!

We can't be too careful.  Thank God that whatever killed my Thomas did NOT harm my nephew.  How unthinkable!!!!   Whatever this was was not far, at all, from my parents' house.  I'm guessing maybe 35 yards - if it was even that far.

No more allowing my Sprout to play outside over there, and she's done that 1,000 times before, just sitting out on the large swingset... singing.  Playing with flowers.  No more!

No more peaceful walks in the woods that I used to love so much, and I've taken my camera out into the woods, plenty of times.  Alone.  No more.

It's all over... it's like the days of "The Wild West" again. 

I called my friend, a hunter, to warn him of the danger over there, since he loves to camp up in those woods.  He said he has something special for those coyotes - if the come around.  I know he does, and I'm sure, somehow, their karmic payback will be well-justified.

Friends, do not let your children or pets out of sight - not for one moment.

Be ever watchful of your children playing in their own yard - even in the bright light of day!

Don't take a fenced backyard for granted.

Don't be too overly confident.

We can not be too careful these days.  It's sad to think you almost have to carry a gun to do simple basic outdoor family-related things these days, but, maybe that's what it will take.

Watch your little ones.  Terry, my nephew, is luckier than he knows...  who would have thought something like this could have happened?  I know I didn't.  I'm sure mom didn't expect anything like this.  She probably just thought Tommy was chasing the bunnies or the squirrels. 

Mom is absolutely heartbroken.  She has loved Tommy Less since the moment I brought him home as a pup, at eight weeks old, and I showed her to him by holding him in the palm of my hand that day.  He melted our hearts.  Tonight, they're broken.

Goodnight, my Tommy Lee... we will miss you so much.  You were, and always will be, mommy's little man.

R.I.P.  Toodles.  September 17, 1999 - August 9, 2010.

Snapshots of my little man:

Tommy Lee pictured with his little buddy, "Chili Bean" (a rescue I'd taken in who had epileptic seizures):

Tommy Lee at Christmas, two years ago?  His little muzzle was getting all gray...  I have more pix on other cards, but they're not so handy right now.

Some of Tommy Lee's little stories