To our friend Carey

NW Sams on November 12, 2009

One of the first people I met when I joined SCWS was Carey Grummitt. It didn’t take long to understand he was one of a kind, with a wicked sense of humor, often off-color, but genuinely funny. To those who took time to know him he was a real friend.

Before Kathy and I were involved in rescue, Carey had a screen printing business and he donated his time every year for the annual rescue fundraiser. He also printed t-shirts with the old SCWS logo and gave them to Cheryl to sell at the picnic and other functions.

A year after we began running rescue, Carey told me he decided to retire from the printing business. I asked him what he would do with all the equipment, because the fundraisers meant so much to rescue. He said he would sell all his equipment to “some sucker” somewhere, at which time I raised my hand and said “let’s talk.” His price was low, but he knew it would be used for the dogs. He helped move everything to our shop and set it up, and ever since he has been ready to answer questions. We wouldn’t have made it through the first year without his help. He also began doing home visits and other rescue work.

In February 2004, we found a dog at the Tacoma Humane Society. She was an old girl, so we put out an appeal for someone to foster her. Carey responded and took her straight home from the shelter. He named her Madison and nursed her back from a sick dog to a beautiful princess. She was with him until October the following year, and he made sure her twilight year was filled with love.

Then there was Snowy, only four months later. She was a stray found tied to a railing. Her chip information was out of date and we agreed to help her. Right away, Carey stepped up and took her home. She flourished with him and found out the good in humans. Seven months later she bloated and he lost her.

All through this, Carey was with his partner Kaz, who patiently put up with Carey and his foster girls. Those two guys together were a riot. We looked forward to talking to them at shows, where Carey showed Cheyenne and Kaz showed his Shiba Inu Jay. Kaz was forced to return to Japan in December 2007 when his visa expired, but hoped to return some day. Unfortunately it was a day too late.

In November 2007 Carey took in his last foster girl. Her name was Sophie and she had some serious medical issues, but he eagerly accepted her. He sat with her at the end, three months later, and then wrote to us with this, which I’d like to share:

“This afternoon I wrapped Sophie up in her favorite green blanket “just as snug as a bug in a rug”. I placed her in a pine box I made for her the day before, gave her one last kiss on her fuzzy white cheek, place a dog cookie – well two – next to her paws. I screwed on the lid as I said “good night ole’ girl- sleep tight” and placed the box in the hole. All along Cheyenne was sitting next to the grave watching every movement I made, as if standing guard over an old trusted friend, sniffing the cold air and licking the fresh fallen snow as it collected on the ground around us, his beautiful white coat gleaming in the cloudy filtered sun light of a cold January afternoon. I finished filling in the whole with dirt and then gave Cheyenne a great big bear hug- he didn’t need it, but I sure did. The late afternoon sun begin to get much more blurry as Cheyenne tryed to lick away the tears. As we walked away and I looked back over my shoulders, I knew that someday in the future I’d be out here digging yet another hole – right beside the last – not because I want to, but because I find it an honor and a privilege to do so…. “

These are the memories I’ll always take with me of Carey. He was a profoundly caring man who had a lot of bad breaks in his life. He would be the first to say he brought some on himself, but his honesty was part of who he was.

Carey came to the rescue picnic in July with Cheyenne, and everybody was glad to see him. Sue got some great pictures of him with Cheyenne. We stood and talked but I didn’t get a hint of what would come soon.

Late in August Carey wrote to ask if we would find a home for Cheyenne. He said he was positive, no possibility of changing his mind, and could we help. He was about to lose his home, Kaz was gone, he had no more income and couldn’t find a job. He requested we make sure his dog was safe. Cheyenne found a wonderful home, and made the move on August 31 to live with Dennis and Rocky.

A few weeks ago I called Carey’s mother and heard that he had visited a couple weeks but had returned home. We both worried about what might happen, but it was a shock when I learned of his death November 8.

Carey, we will miss you and your offbeat humor, your smile, and your caring. May you be welcomed by all the animals you ever loved.

Ron