Embargo Lifted: JournoDog’s Beat Has Ended

Everything started with a newspaper, and if my editors and journalism gods have anything to say about it, a newspaper will be there at the end.

Even in my final moments, as my eyes close for the final time before moving on to cover those stories across the Rainbow Bridge, I suspect there will be a newspaper nearby to comfort me.

Being a JournoDog, this is my final story in the form of my own canine obit. Written in advance, with permission to post upon the time my beat is 30’d* for the final time. You might say that I put an embargo on the “breaking news” of my own demise, so to speak. And now, that embargo is lifted.

I’ve left clear instructions with my editor (Daddy) to post this once the embargo is lifted, having filled in any appropriate final details as necessary. My story came to a close shortly before 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. After declining health for the past many months, and a severe seizure that final morning, a last visit to the vet’s office was the final line of this story that I’d personally be able to witness. My cushy newspaper and blue brush toy (which I’ve had since my puppy days) were both by head as the tearful goodbyes were voiced, and Daddy reports that those beloved items will be with me as I move forward across the bridge for my next assignment.

It was a great run. I hope for those who knew me or just read my writings, that I brought love and happiness to life. That my being present helped people find happiness in their heart, to learn something about themselves and maybe the world around them. I especially hope for this for Mommy and Daddy.

As mentioned, newspapers were there changing my life at the beginning. Mommy and Daddy were browsing pet ads in print and online, and came across my photo and biography — which led to them adopting me. They learned that I’d been lost and alone outside before stumbling upon a morning newspaper in a driveway, which led to my first foster mom meeting me when she came out to get that paper. Her and I weren’t destined to stay together, but that newspaper meetup led to my eventual forever home.

Newspapers gave me a great life, and of course, that led to some pawsome dog-reported journalism through the years.

I’m proud of my JournoDog Chronicle, which began as Facebook posts and evolved into Notes before eventually migrating over to the JournoDog blog. My more memorable public writings:

• Cooper Winston III, then-aspiring Therapy Dog
• Beer-Drinking Goat Mayors of Texas (and their owners)
• The JournoDog Royal Wedding Edition
• A recent Christmas Eve 2020 post: Lessons from an Older Dog on Truth & One-Sided Journalism

There are so many highlights in life, covering so many different stories and digging up the scoops (of food). So many pawsome daily routines that make my tail-wag:

• Our Sunday newspaper-reading and morning news shows, where Daddy would sometimes yell at the TV when talking heads misrepresented the truth or something frustrated him.
• Helping my Dad in his daily editorial duties that brought money to shelter and feed me.
• Back when we lived in Indiana, occasional Sunday drives with daddy to pick up breakfast and just go exploring around our neighborhood and the broader community.
• My social media griping when the local newspaper didn’t get delivered (GRRRRR)
• 3 different houses, 2 different states.
• A lot to cover: from attending mutt strutts around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, going on camping trips, and so many CAR RIDES between two states and the move to Michigan where I got to ride in a U-Haul for a bit.
• In fact, I am quite honored that my own JournoDog writing of a cover letter helped Mommy and Daddy convince their landlord to OK them for the new house in Michigan — one that became my final forever home and the first with a fenced in yard.

It’s tough to highlight so many moments, shared on JournoDog Media on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and using the #JournoDog hashtag.

I’ve had so much fun sniffing out the news and digging up the scoops, especially when that’s led to treats and CHEESE… from the laptops over the years to my tweeting, Instagrams and Facebooking, it’s all been a privilege to write and share my Pet POVs with everyone.

There was a time when I was sniffing out the news on a dog beach in Western Michigan, and came across a dead fish on the beach… of course, I had to investigate it fully — which included rolling in to fully appreciate the scent, before washing off in Lake Michigan. That was a fun story!

Truly, it as an honor in November 2019 to get the chance to experience (vicariously through my editor-dad’s visit) the Newseum in Washington D.C., where the history of journalism honored and they featured an exhibit of the many dogs who’ve lived in the White House through the years.

While my final years meant enduring the narcissistic rule of a horrible human who’s the first president in 120 years without a pet in the White House, I’m comforted that my beat concluded with the knowledge that a kinder soul won the 2020 election and will bring two pups back to the White House.

Of course, there are memories of Shadow Cat who was my sister at home for several years before she crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2012. When I first came home and was a young journo-pup, Shadow hid under the bed and a gray chair for days before finally emerging to meet me. We had so much fun playing over the years, and while Shadow was never as interested in journalism as I was, she certainly had her moments of calling out truths — sometimes needing to paw me on the news in order to stop chasing leads that didn’t help my story.

I’m happy that when my time comes, I’ll be reunited once again with Shadow Cat, as well as other family pets: Tucker Dog, and my cousins Sadie and Melissa who’d already cross the Rainbow Bridge ahead of me.

My story is now written, my beat is covered. Although, from time to time down the road, there may be random notes that appear on #JournoDog that my editor-dad unconvers and needs to share. You know, in the name of news. Just because I’m gone and no longer covering the beat, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t go on. Let journalism — dog news and beyond – continue as it must.

As always, remember: Love your pets. Be kind. Read a newspaper. Support local journalism. Appreciate all you have in life. And try to smile and find a little happiness for your heart every day.

JournoDog, out.

— 30* —

[* the symbol journalists have traditionally used to signal the end of a story]