The look of Love. Stanley Aug 1, 2023
Everything about my dog Stanley has been miraculous. His longevity was among them. I never had the good fortune to have a dog live to 14 years of age.
So it was with enormous gratitude that a week ago Tuesday I got to wish my darling boy Stanley a very happy 14th birthday.
As Stanley’s birthday approached the anticipation and excitement in the house were palpable. Everyone, especially Stanley knew how celebrating this birthday was important to me.
Doggonit, I talked about it endlessly.
Stanley and Sally Edelstein Birthday Celebration Aug 1, 2023
As the day neared I made sure I had the birthday hats, a very special card, and of course very special treats.
Just a month ago when plans were in place to put him down, celebrating this milestone was deemed an impossibility, but the impossible happened last Tuesday. A tail wagging Stanley just wasn’t ready to leave. That morning he woke up bright-eyed and bushy tailed ready to celebrate, despite a shaky evening.
This date is weighted with so many feelings for me. 14 years ago on August 1 I tragically lost my dog Emerson way too soon under tragic circumstances. I was crushed and deeply bereft. But another angel was born on the exact same day, a yellow lab puppy who would become Stanley who came into my life and has given me endless joy.
In 2009 one angel left, and another appeared.
Sunsets
Today it is with a broken heart that I share my angel is now with the angels. My darling Stanley is gone.
He knew how much I wanted to celebrate his birthday and he lovingly willed himself to stay.
Stan the Man, passed away the day after his birthday. The ultimate comeback kid, had finally run out of gas.
I am completely devastated, and my heart is so shattered it feels as though it will never be whole again. My heart so expanded with the love I felt for Stanley, so deep it felt at times as though it would burst. Now his loss has caused that same full heart to break.
Waves
Stanley was always a miracle dog.
The story of how he came to be part of my life was a miraculous one as well.
In 2009 Stanley entered my life under extraordinary circumstances to heal my heart and he never once stopped.
I had only recently lost my mother and was still in mourning. My sweet dog Emerson, another yellow lab, had shepherded me through that profound grief. That August we had plans to take the first vacation since the stressful months of caring for my mother and her eventual passing. A rented house on the beach in our favorite town of North Truro in Cape Cod seemed the perfect tonic for us all. Like Stanley, Emerson was a world-class beach bum who loved the sand and sea.
But we would never make it there.
On August 1, while on the windy ferry ride from Long Island to Connecticut, Emerson started to struggle to breathe; a collapsed esophagus was choking him. Stuck in the bowels of the Port Jefferson ferry parked in our car, we tried to get help. Climbing into the back seat of the car to hold him, the feelings of helplessness were unbearable.
We were frantic.
Without the technical benefit of a smartphone, we desperately tried to locate the nearest vet in Connecticut once we landed. Despite our best efforts by the time we arrived at the animal hospital there was little they could do. As though in a bad dream, we left the unfamiliar vet without our darling Emerson and headed home sans our most important family member. The back seat of the car was sadly empty. It would take months for me to not look at it without weeping.
We never returned to Cape Cod again.
Puppy Love
Puppy Stanley September 28, 2009, when he came into my family and my heart.
I was bereft. Several weeks later unbeknownst to me, my husband Hersh had begun scrolling online looking at lab puppies, something that was unbearable for me to do. We each had different ways of dealing with our deep grief and that was his. One day he asked me to just please look at one special dog on his computer. On the screen, an adorable little blonde Labrador boy looked out at me with his sweet brown eyes. But it was his birth date that sold me.
Aug 1. The day Emerson left. What were the miraculous odds of that?
The symmetry was irresistible. How could I refuse?
But the symmetry didn’t end there.
My Two Stanleys
Once we chose to make this sweet little puppy a member of our family he needed a name. We had muddled through many but never really settled on one.
One afternoon, Hersh came into my office, and standing in the doorway he simply said, “How about Stanley?”
I almost fell off my chair.
What he did not know was that sitting on my desk in front of me was a little stuffed dog that had belonged to my mother. In her final year as she traveled from rehab to hospital, she brought this little toy dachshund with her everywhere. It was a toy version of my childhood dog, Prince. In fact wherever she was she was always asking, “Where’s Stanley?” Little Stanley gave her comfort. And now since her death Stanley the little toy dog lived with me.
Hersh had no idea of the back story.
Yet he uttered the absolute perfect name. It was meant to be just as Stanley was meant to come into our lives and our hearts.
Hand, to hand to heart forever bound.
Rest in Peace my angel Stanley
Postscript
Stanley Katz, valued columnist Envisioning The American Dream
Along with being a subject matter, Stanley Katz was a valued contributor to this site and his perspective, heart, and humor will be sorely missed. Often looking over my shoulder as I researched and wrote up my posts, he offered keen insight along with plenty of face licks which helped inspire me. A conscientious writer, he never traded up from his trusty Remington typewriter, and his hunt and peck paw skills were astonishing.
Stanley never missed a deadline and kept his pulse and paw on the changing political landscape. Though born in Waco Texas to a showgirl named Gail Storm, ( no relation to My Little Margie) this red-state puppy, quickly turned blue once he came to live in New York with a couple of progressive Jews. It was during the Trump years that truly solidified his political leanings. A White House occupied by dog haters had no place in American governance as far as he was concerned!.
His dedication at Edelstein Industries exhibited by his long hours spent in the office under my desk, earned him more than a few company awards for excellence. Envisioning The American Dream will not be the same without the love and support of this warm-hearted journalist.
A Selection Of Stanley’s Columns
A Tribute to Betty White Thank You For Being My Friend
George Santos Should Be in the DogHouse
Envisioning The American Dream 
Hugs and condolences on the loss of your wonderful Stanley. They never leave us as long as they are in our hearts. This post was a fine tribute to your special dog.
August 1st is one of those days for me, too, as Louie the “Kool Kat”, my handsome orange tabby, died on that day in 2011.
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Thank you so much Doug. The loss of Stanley is incalculable and I am totally bereft and shattered. I have had so many losses in recent yers and this feels like one I just cant bear. I am sure you miss your “Kool Kat” all the time.
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I do miss Louie. He was a confident, nearly 24 pound bundle of kittenish lovebug. He’d hop on my lap, once knocked him, me, and the chair over, thanks to his size! Yes, I miss him still.
I understand how you are bereft and shattered about Stanley. His breed is – and Stanley was – a gentle, sweet, intelligent one with tons of personality.
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He was that in spades. The deep connection we shared was palpable to all who saw us together.
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More hugs….
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Thank you so much for your compassion.
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Heartfelt condolences to you Sally for the loss of your dear Stanley. It was through your blogging, that your readers got to know his kind and loving soul, (and his political leanings). Our furry companions aren’t theatrical when they pass on, but they leave lasting paw prints on the hearts and minds of their human devotees. My little Tiffy took her last breath on my lap, staring up at me through clouded sickly eyes. More than 4 years later, I can still feel the weight of her small body against my skin. I’m sure that Stanley’s soul will live with you forever and that will provide some level of comfort as you grieve his loss.
RIP Stanley.
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Thank you so much for your kindness and for understanding how profound this loss is. For some who have never had the privilege of having a furry loved one in their family, it can be hard to understand the depth of the loss and pain. I am grateful that through the years I have been able to share Stanley here and on social media where he has a huge fan base and allow others to know and love this sweet boy as I do. Without my heart and anchor, I am terribly lost and find it hard to do most anything. I know you carry your little Tiffy with you and were with her to the very last breath, as I was with Stanley. He is still here talking to me and our conversations are a source of comfort.
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I literally did carry my little Tiffy (a 3 pound Teacup Poodle) when I was with her outside, as a congenital heart defect in her later years severely limited her ability to walk without breathlessness. But I was happy to serve as her human helper, knowing how much she reveled sniffing the air as I paraded her around the neighborhood. When she passed I wrote her a eulogy on FaceBook. Those who understood the importance of human-furry friend relationships, were touched and those who didn’t said I should just move on. I prefer to associate with those who understand, as I’m sure you do as well. I hope you are able to find your center again soon. Stanley’s memory will help you get through this difficult time.
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I just about exclusively associate with those who are connected to animals in some way and quite suspect to those who cannot relate or who have no feelings about these wonderful creatures. I just now received a call from the vet telling me my baby is ready to be picked up to come home, certainly not in the manner I would really prefer and….my tears are on par with Niagra Falls.
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Having had the pleasure of meeting Stanley in person, I am aware of his warm and gentle personality (Oh, those eyes!) as well as his immeasurable presence in your life. What an affectionate, clever and indispensable fellow! Quite the thinker and writer, as well. His many great years by your side and his miraculous gift of one last joyful birthday celebration is heartwarming. Through you, we all feel the strength of Stanley’s companionship, love and devotion, and he will remain in our hearts always
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I am always grateful that you were able to spend time and get to know him and experience his very, very special soul.
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I’m so sorry for your loss, Sally. I’ve mourned many dogs over the last fifty years and it never gets easier. Stanley does look like a beautiful soul (as are all dogs) and I’m sure he would agree that, as soon as you’re up to it, you should find that yellow lab puppy to heal with. Your heart will know when you find him. Stanley would not begrudge you this. Besides…one day you will be with him again. Dave
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Thank you Dave for your heartfelt thoughts and understanding. I am certain that at some point there will be another dog in my life as I cant imagine a life without these most remarkable of all creatures. My heart is right now so broken, but I know at some point Stanley would love to have another pup enter my life as he did and help heal it.
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Beautiful souls. Not everyone is so blessed to be able to love as you loved Stanley and he loved you How wonderful a gift is that! I feel your sadness at his passing.
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Thank you dear Ellie for your kind remarks. I feel enormously grateful to have had this profound connection and love that ran/runs so deep and it was palpable to anyone who saw us together. My deep sadness and pain are in direct correlation to the deep love I felt.
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