It is with a grief-stricken heart I must inform you that Darla the Wonder Dog, my beloved friend and trusted confidante, has passed away. Against all odds, she celebrated her sixteenth birthday in March of this year, after a long life beset with many serious physical ailments. These included a cancer diagnosis four-years ago for which she endured surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. Darla fought through it all without complaint and triumphed far beyond what we could hope for. However, the cancer recently reappeared and became too much, even for so valiant a warrior puppy as our brave Darla. She quietly slipped away at home held in the arms of we who loved her so dearly.
My family and I are despondent at the loss of the spirited soul whom I first brought home as a half-starved orphan, long ago. Our house no longer feels like a home, bereft as it now is of her over-sized personality. The rhythm of our lives, which had been happily built around Darla’s meals, walks, and rubs, is now gone. I don’t believe I will ever be happy again.
Darla was known by many nicknames including Pupolis, Darla Lovie, Puppy Beast, Pups, Nups, Schnups, Puppy of Love, Little Miss Pups, Bubba, and The Wonder Dog. She was sassy, opinionated, extremely intelligent, and hysterically funny. Most of all, Darla was filled with love, generating happiness everywhere. Her list of friends and admirers was worldwide, including rock stars and celebrities. She was truly one of the most extraordinary individuals I’ve known. Her loss is a void which can never be filled.
I will try to find more soon to share of my stubby-tailed soul mate. For now, I hope you will hold your loved ones of fur, feather or fin closely, as they love us unconditionally. Our animal friends are one of the great blessings in life, but their shorter lives are the terrible price we pay for their companionship. Never take a second with them for granted.
Farewell to my sweet, little girl. My precious pup, my adarlable and darling… Darla.
– Lou Brutus, August 2025
