Our rescued mini Schnauzer mix, Ernie, passed away last night.
She was diagnosed with cancer last year, but she was blessed with a great quality of life right up til the end.
She’s now Urnie. (We’ve been laughing about that joke for quite some time now. We are terrible people.)
I live in Iceland with my wife Erika. I'm on an epic life quest to have fun and make a difference.
I co-founded Brent Ozar Unlimited to help make your SQL Server go faster. I also maintain sp_Blitz® and the open source First Responder Kit repo.
My current car collection includes a Porsche 911 Targa, a Jaguar XKR-S, and a Land Rover Defender.
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Brent, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Dogs really do become part of our family and part of our lives.
We love them as much as (or more than) any person, so when we lose them, it is devastating.
I hope that in time you’ll find it in your heart to stop by the pound one day and give a good home to another dog.
Thanks sir, I appreciate the kind words.
Hey Brent and Erika, Very sorry for your loss. Ernie was a SQL Celebrity in her own right (with your help of course) She would have approved of the “urnie” reference, I’m sure!
Thanks man. Yeah, that humor was right up her alley, heh.
Very kind of her to let you be her people all these years. Urnie…that’s just horrible and hilarious…:)
Kevin – heh heh heh, thanks.
My condolences on your loss. Thanks for sharing so much of her life with the #SQLfamily. I always enjoyed seeing her photo from an early morning walk around Chicago. She lived an epic life in your care. All the best – Peter
Awww, thanks Peter.
You made me laugh with that last line!! She was enjoyed by many of us….Thanks for sharing and condolences on the loss.
Thanks, Mal!
Sorry for your loss.
My condolences, that always sucks. We’ve had to put down our share of animals and I suspect we’ll lose a dog this year. Always a sad time, but hope you’ve got great memories.
So sorry Brent and Erika. I always loved the pics of Ernie’s adventures. In February a year ago I adopted a rescue puppy and since then have lost 30 pounds taking her for runs almost every day. I’ve had many dogs over the years, and this one is extra special – just such a joy. Ernie seemed like one of those dogs that somehow is more than most. . .
I hope to hear about a new Ozar doggo soon.
Anne
Brent, that is indeed a terrible pun (which makes it funnier!). Sorry for your loss. Non-pet owners just don’t understand the impact that pets have on our lives. I do not look forward to the imminent day when we loose ours as a void is left in your heart forever.
Brent, Sorry for your loss. With our rescue dog Roscoe, it’s sometimes difficult to tell who rescued who. Godspeed Ernie.
I also am sorry for your pain with his passing. I think he will be up there in the Mega_Cloud patiently waiting for you all to be together again, and no longer in pain.
Oh no, sorry to hear this sad news. I feel like we have all gotten to know Ernie through your sharing of pics, posts and stories over the years.
Brent, I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. We went through the same thing last summer, when we had to let our 18-year old Poodle go. Thank you for sharing all the fun photos.
Steven – 18 years, wow, I can’t even imagine! That’s wonderful that you got so many years with it, though.
I’m so sorry, Brent. I remember her from the Senior DBA class in San Diego last year. She was a really cute little dog, and so obviously loved. My best to you and your wife.
Thanks, Pam – it was so much fun to bring her along to our training classes.
So sorry for your loss, Brent. Thanks for sharing her life (and this tribute) with us. She was obviously loved, and that’s the best gift any dog (or person) can hope for. I’m sure it was a mutual gift.
Thanks for the kind words, everybody.
I feel for you Brent, I’m sorry you’re going through this. The photos look amazing and what a little superstar! My family faced a dilemma back on the summer of 2016 and ultimately took the decision to end the suffering of a Jack Russell Terrier we’d had in the family since she was 8 weeks old. 12 years of fantastic memories and as much as it still pains me to see her on pictures, I make a point of doing so regularly. It’s an awful time when you lose a pet you have loved, but the pain doesn’t erase all the good times you had together. If you can look at it that way, it certainly helped me cope, and still does.
Excellent post Brent, and nice work with the bit of levity at the end. If I’m lucky I could probably get my dog to sit still for maybe half of the photos you did, and the pile of toys would be a shredded pile of fluff and stuffing before the camera could focus.
I’m glad Ernie had such a great family during her time on this tiny spinning rock we all call home.
So sorry for your loss – I know how much it hurts. It looks like you gave her the very best life a doggo could have. What a wonderful tribute.
Condolences Brent, been through this and it is never nice. You remember the good times. ;o)