We are very sorry to say that Mike (aka Miguel Lopez) died at home, Tuesday, Dec. 6. Our buddy was 11 years old, going on 12. He had been diagnosed with cancer in September and hung on for more than two months with his usual good humor and big ol’ smile. We always felt he was just on loan to us. So it helps a bit to think someone else might be enjoying this angel now.
In lieu of flowers or a card, we would love if you shared a “Mike memory” here on this page, in the comment box below the photos… or on any of the picture pages you can open by clicking on the thumbnails below. Thank you and much love, Stew, Karen and Aggie.
I love this
Mike was not a genius…but he was clever. He joined our team at age 4 months with a strong sense that he really ought to be the center of attention at all times. That meant he had “expectations” which certainly did not include people turning their back on him and walking away. When this happened, for example if we needed to go to the kitchen, Mike would reach up and pinch our butts with his sharp teeth. Our reaction, was to turn around and recognize the culprit, a positive reinforcement for Mike’s toothy overtures. So, we crafted a deterrent: We started walking away from Mike while waving our hands behind our behinds. This did ultimately discourage Mike’s love bites to the butt. But it was hard to explain to visitors who witnessed our strange rear-waving gestures.
I am a confirmed non “dog person” but was deeply touched the first time I met Mike – soon after he took over Stew and Karen’s household. I was sitting on a chair in their living room and he walked up to me, got up on his hind legs and put his front paws around my neck. A doggy hug. He then tried to climb into my lap which did not work because of the large dog, small person disconnect. But he seemed forgiving of my defects and just quietly hung out with Karen and me during one of our art days. I have told Karen that I felt he had some catlike qualities in his doggy soul.
Playdough.
One of my favorite memories with Miguel was the time I spent dog/house sitting for Stew and Karen one week some years ago.
Miguel was a mere 75 pound puppy, full breaded WV Porch Hound who fancied himself as a lapdog. I found this out the hard way after I told my WV joke about how the toothbrush was invented there…..any other state it would have been called a teethbrush. Well, he bit me on the ass, which I deserved.
After that incident, he decided that my lap looked comfy and that he needed to sit in it. We became friends at that moment and seem to have muttered…he is like putty in my hands.
Not realizing it at the time, but we both needed this new found coziness to make it through the week. I know what you are thinking. Yes, I was lonely, but I wasn’t that lonely! No really, tons of girls wanted to go out with me!!!
Upon leaving for his week long carribean cruise, Stew lowered the heat and locked the thermastat at a balmy 50 degrees F to save a few bucks. Miguel and I had to cuddle up to create enough heat to survive through the snowy winter.
We will miss you!!
I am not sure if it was a conversation or a dream, but I liked the story that Stew would be outside and would call for Mike, and a neighbor would turn to respond. I still chuckle at that. I also remember the first time we met Mike at the cemetery, and he peed on Cupid. No doubt Mike was scent marking a bush or stone, and Cupie happened in the way. And while I crinkled my nose a bit, the puppies all smiled and frolicked and looked as happy as can be. There is no disgust in the doggie world. Miss you, Mike.
I loved Mike and I’ll miss him. I always carry dog treats when I walk in the cemetery, and Mike’s nose was as good as they get. Karen and Stew asked that I not give him any more treats as Mike would literally chase a car down the street if the driver was one of his food buddies. So I’d have to pet him and say, “Sorry Buddy, I’ve been busted.”
He never stopped greeting me, and was always hopeful that I’d forget and reach into my left pocket…
Instantly, upon first sighting each other, my daughter Phoebe and Mikey, AKA the West Virginia Porch Dog, or Mikey the Wonder Dog, fell into a mutual love. Upon seeing the Harrismobile or hearing Aggie’s high-pitch yakking, Phoebe would emit a shrill “Mikey” and the blond prince of the cemetery would cease whatever run he was on and would cross the cemetery at full speed to “slide-into-second” before his kneeling muse. He would literally approach her and would roll onto his side to receive her myriad affections. It was a memory for life, and I/we have Mikey to thank for that. So long buddy, you belong buried in the Congressional Cemetery but I know some folks might take issue with that, but then,, they didn’t know the Wonder Dog.
I remember Mike covering long distances across the cemetery to say hi to Teddy. Mike would come out of nowhere, often with no Stew, Karen or Aggie in sight, say hi to Teddy and then me (dogs first), hang out for a bit of wagging and then (eventually) return to his family wherever they were, or head off to visit another friend. He made the rounds with style and contagious pleasure. A cemetery dog with a big personality, a great heart and a loyal pack that will miss him very much.
When I think about my childhood, one of the memories that comes to mind is my time with Mikey. He was the most loving dog I have ever met and that will never change. He was the highlight of trips to the Congressional Cemetery. With any tell-tale sign that Mikey might have been at the cemetery, I would instantly drop to my knees and call his name at the top of my lungs. Seconds later, even if he had been at the opposite side of the cemetery, I would see him bounding over gravestones to slide into my open arms. Mikey knew of no evil, for never in my years of knowing him did he ever snap at or bite anyone. He loved everyone dearly and was so happy to see every single human that crossed his path, showing off his permanent smile with each and every encounter. I am so thankful for every moment that I got to spend with him, be it scratching his floppy ears or getting attacked by Mikey kisses. To those of us who knew him well, Mikey was not just a dog, but a human. He just had this superhuman ability to love unconditionally and to accept you for you are. I am so sad that he is gone, but I know that he is in a better place now, that grin still plastered on his face. I love you so much, Mikey!
There was always a lot of barking whenever I visited, but I came to view it as dog love. Once proper introductions were made I was accepted and Mike was gentle to the newbie. I hope Mike and my son met up in heaven and are enjoying each other company. He gave much love and will be missed.
BJ
Mike and our dog Bocce were best friends. Whenever Boccce heard Aggie barking at the cemetery, he would leave me behind (immediately) to find Mike. Then he and Mike would come bounding back, and Mike would try to kneecap me, but I learned fast and would turn sideways and lean into it.
Before we got Bocce and we were between dogs, Stew and Karen would let us borrow Mike. They warned us “don’t let him on the bed!!!” Well, that did not last. The first thing he did when he came up the stairs was turn and run at full speed and jump on the bed and stayed there, with that Wha? look on his face.
Bocce is always on the lookout for the blue Volvo stationwagon and when we are driving down Constitution, I’ll say where’s Mike? Bocce gets very excited at the thought of his friend. I think Mike recognized my car (Bocce’s car). It was very fun to see true dog buddies in action.
Losing a dog is so hard, especially a special one like Mike.
We will miss you.
Mike was such a handsome dude.
His confidence and ‘presence’ made him seem like a matinee idol of a gracious era.
I think my stubby little, Bartleby was a bit intimidated by Mike’s command of…well, everything.
Karen and Stew, thank you for giving him such a great life and for sharing him with us.
Many blessing for warmth and comfort on the House of Mike and all who remember him fondly.
I met Mike this past summer on Owasco Lake when he brought Karen & Stew on a sailing vacation. Immediately, Mike reminded me in looks and personality of my doggie-gone-to-dog-heaven, Duffy. I stayed with Mike at the shore or cottage as Stew & Karen sailed away. I remember wondering if Mike “blamed” me for their sailing away as he watched forlornly from the shore. Mike hogged the couch and I sat on the screened-in porch as we awaited their return. Duffy and Mike would have gotten along famously. I imagine them now on an ethereal romp together, perhaps sharing pleasant moments of their earthly lives with us.
I am loving these photos of Mike with Karen, Stew, and Aggie! Thanks you guys for sharing him with all of us!
Miguel “Mike” Lopez Currie Harris will go down in history as one of my favorite dogs of all time, and I will miss him dearly. There are two visions of Mike that I particularly treasure. One is of Mike and Jacob in their youth running like the wind together in Congressional Cemetery. They were both beautiful, lightning-quick runners back in the day, and to see them run together was a gorgeous sight to behold. The other is a vision of Mike and Amos in a duck boat, smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, and huntin’. OK, that one was just an idea of Stew’s that never actually came to pass, but I guarantee you it would have if either of them had had opposable thumbs. 🙂
Mike was a class act, top shelf dog… And a favorite of Dennis, Goji, and I… As we discussed over coffee this morning. Goji made this love visible by licking Mike’s face abundantly when they met at the cemetery. Mike was a stand-up guy, who may have found this demonstrable love a bit much, but his friendship with Goji allowed for it.
Goji made our shared love of Mike audible the other day as well.
She and Dennis had already seen Stewart at the cemetery without Mike, and knew he was running free, beyond the bounds of the physical. But this day was the first time for me… As Stewart and Aggie approached, Goji looked at me and came toward me while voicing her infrequent, but heart-moving Akita howl… Ah-oooowww-wo-oowww… Yes indeed Goji, we DO miss Mike and He is a helluva fine dog to howl for!
Mike was the best. A coy, and persistent mooch, always with a smile on his face, plying for a treat — always. Mike’s penchant for snacks was so pervasive that Stew cut him off, much to Mike’s consternation. So I usually tried to give out snacks when Mike wasn’t around because it wasn’t fair. And despite the fact that he didn’t get any snacks, Mike always came by to say hi, and get a good scratch. I’ll miss Mike for his goofiness, his sweet demeanor, and his coy smile. Rest well, Mike. Say hi to Elvis & Blue.
We loved Mike for just generally being so amazingly HAPPY, all the time, no matter what. We also appreciated the upper body workouts he provided whenever we walked him – going forward for most of his life, trying to go back home toward the end, he was always an enthusiastic walker. Lucy and Ben loved him because he stood head and shoulders above everyone else in his pack, so they could easily pick him out from a distance. “The big yellow dog with pointy ears,” as they called him, is missed here on 12th Street. Thanks, Karen and Stew, for loving him and bringing him to love all of us. Peace Mike!
Mike was definitely a lover. I’ll never forget how he would attempt to sneak onto the bed with me while we vacationed with you guys in NY. He didn’t seem to mind that it was a twin bed, there was always room for cuddling. I will always remember Mike as the sweet boy that just wanted to be loved (regardless of the crazy stories told about him). We love you guys.
I would always know when Stew was at the cemetery because in the distance I would hear “Miii iiike”, and Magpie and I would shoot off in that direction to say hello. Sometimes, I would be walking with Mike Fowler who always smiled at the call. I’ll miss seeing his cute head poking out of the window of the your car with those big pointy ears blowing in the breeze. He really was a sweet sweet boy.
Sarah, that’s so true, Mike Fowler always loved sticking his head out of car windows. And so did Mike (aka Miguel Lopez). Oh I see what you did there!
So sorry to hear he’s gone, he was one of Magpie’s first loves. She had such fun chasing him around the cemetery, even though he was twice as fast as her. I’m convinced he let her catch him the few times that she did. He was just that kind of dog.
Stew and Karen, I am so sorry both Mike and Aggie died so close together. Pepper has been gone a year and a half now – also suddenly at home in her favorite spot – and although the hole she left is much smaller now, I still find myself listening now and then for the pitter-patter of her feet. I have so many wonderful memories of Mike and Pepper playing, running, exploring together when they were young. And then Aggie joined the daily cemetery party, and she would come over for brief pats while the pointy-eared dogs set out on patrol. Pepper always wanted Mike to play with her, but he had more important things to do….treats to find…. and Aggie would complain loudly each time we strayed too far from the pack…. Thank you for sharing all these pics.
Tamara
Mike was my Buddha-a gentle, loving, wise soul with big kisses and a bigger heart. The moment I met him, shortly after Karen and Stew adopted him, I thought he was human-with an understanding and acceptance of most human frailties. I fell in love with him; relishing the times (pre-Aggie) when he’d be in the front yard alone so we could chat when I walked my Chelsea. Aggie didn’t take to Chelsea; but boy did things change with Callie!
Callie loved Mike and Aggie; she’d see them in the distance and start wagging, quivering and pulling me to great them. She loved our alley walks with Karen, Mike and Aggie. I believe she thought they were her surogate parents. Aggie would gently correct (herd) her, Mike put up with her silliness! She and I are heartbroken at their passing.
Sigh- I think my favorite thing about Mike was the contrast between his simple, no nonsense name and his stunning, strong, smiling, GORGEOUS presence. It’s like when you see a gorgeous human being and they are so down to earth and unaware of how striking they are. I still feel him at Congressional. He was a good dog.
When I first met Mike and Stew I was at the cemetery with my German Shepherd Fala. I didn’t learn much about Mike but I learned everything I needed to know about Stew when he said laconically of his dog: “He ain’t no scholar.” Cracked me up then and still does. Actually the dog I loved was Aggie. Aggie was much like my Fala — fearful, protective, beautiful, and highly reactive. It made me feel like a million bucks when I’d see Aggie and call to her, and she’d come over for some love, head down in that “Aw shucks” way she had. I always thought she loved me best. I was honored.