I realize these are trying times, and he was "just a dog", but he was a remarkable character and he deserves mention. Besides, there are a handful of people on Mudcat who've met him at one time or another, and been barked at ("Thief! Trespasser! Murderer! Republican!").

I posted about him various times as "my mother's dog", usually for humorous purposes, implying that he was a threat to public order, World peace, etc...

Well, he's gone now, after 3 days of having trouble breathing, because his heart was slowing down. He was very old.

I paste below his epitaph:

Here rests the body of Arnot, the little brown dachshund.
Also known as "Arnie", his full name was Peter Arnot.
He was an animal with a small body, but a very large personality.

In a family consisting of 3 human beings and 2 dachshunds
He viewed himself as the absolute ruler, as "the Boss", as Leader of the Pack.
At his worst he could be bad-tempered and unreasonable.
At his best he could be affectionate and tremendously amusing.

He was very smart...smart enough to realize things that most dogs would not even notice.
He had a lot of energy, right up till the final few months of his lengthy life.
He lived to an age of 15 years, the equivalent of a human age of 105.

He died very peacefully, with dignity, at home in the presence of those who loved him.

His passing leaves a great silence in this house.
We will not foget Arnot.
We are glad to have known him.
He will live forever...In our minds, in our hearts, and in our souls.

Good traveling, Arnot! Blessed be.

- LH