“Ziggy (Boo Boo)” Farr
Saying goodbye to a good boy!
About ten years ago, in September of 2016, Sandy and I visited the Loudoun County Animal Shelter and found a small dog who immediately captured our hearts. His name was Mr. Jiggles, a name that made sense at the time because he was quite overweight, but it didn’t suit him for long. We first called him Ziggy, then Boo Boo for reasons only we understand, and eventually, most often, we simply called him Boo.
Over the years, Boo became a beloved member of our family. He was gentle and kind, always easygoing around children, adults, and other dogs—truly one of the most laid-back friends I've ever had. When he visited the vet, he would lie calmly, trusting completely, allowing all procedures to be done with patience and grace. I remember our doctor, Dr. Turnbull, called Boo 'pliable,' and that word has stuck with me because it perfectly described his gentle nature.
Boo met only the basic standards we set for dogs at our home—no furniture chewed, going outside on schedule, and trying his best to behave. But what made him truly exceptional was his unwavering focus on food. It was almost as if he carried a puppy watch on his paw, alerting him when mealtime was near. He'd often come into the kitchen about fifteen minutes before dinner, patiently stare at us, then walk away, as if gently reminding us it was time to feed him.
In early 2023, Boo was diagnosed with cancer. His doctors initially believed he might have about six months left—perhaps until December 2023. Yet, against all odds, Boo lived until April 2026. We believe that a big part of this miracle was due to the loving, creative care from our vet, Dr. Turnbull, who prescribed Pepsid-AC and Benadryl—medications that, strangely, seemed to slow the disease and give us almost three extra precious years with our dear friend.
Today, we gently said goodbye to Boo. We chose to do this in the most compassionate way possible—Dr. Turnbull came to our home, administered the medicine with tenderness, and helped Boo pass peacefully in our arms, surrounded by love.
Our other dog, Chloe, a Welsh Cardigan Corgi, has always looked up to Boo as her mentor and her source of comfort. We don’t yet know how she’ll grieve, but we promise to be there for her every step of the way. I truly believe that, together, we can support each other through this heartbreaking loss, holding onto the precious memories and love Boo gave us