The death of a beloved pet always affects the owner, and perhaps also a small group of family and friends. But when that pet is also a service dog, the circle of mourners can be much larger. Because a service dog is often viewed as an extension of its owner – going everywhere, doing everything – the dog becomes acquainted with a wide and varied group of people. Co-workers, fellow hobbyists, members of a congregation – all of these people are touched in some way because they have witnessed that special bond between service dog and owner, and they have come to know the dog as a friend.

For Elizabeth Rene, an Olympia, WA, attorney who is legally blind, this circle of friends and acquaintances helped to make the passing of her beloved guide dog, Fiesta, a bit easier.

Elizabeth and Fiesta, an 8-year-old Yellow Lab, were at choir practice, one of Fiesta's favorite extracurricular activities, as they were every week. Fiesta would sit quietly, listening to the music until it was time to escort Elizabeth home. On this night, however, Fiesta collapsed as it was time to leave. Elizabeth was beside herself; Fiesta had not been ill.

Dr. Jack Haven, Fiesta's regular veterinarian, was at a meeting, but his son recommended an emergency vet, Dr. Patrick Black. As Elizabeth and her friend and piano teacher Marguerite Bauer rushed Fiesta to the veterinary hospital, Fiesta's records were being faxed there. At the hospital, Dr. Black diagnosed cancer of the spleen, which had ruptured, calling for emergency surgery. Marguerite's St. Bernard, Barney, who had been in her truck, did what St. Bernards do best. He came to the rescue, donating 3 units of blood for Fiesta's surgery. Dr. Haven's son had tracked him down, and he showed up in time to assist.

Though the doctors did their best, Fiesta's condition was beyond repair. She spent her last hours in a private room at the hospital with Elizabeth, Marguerite and Barney. Elizabeth stayed with Fiesta until it was time for the cremation. She had also called Linda Strohmier, Canon at St. Mark's Cathedral, an Episcopal church in Seattle, where she is a member. Linda immediately made the 1½ hour drive to Olympia to offer solace.

The news of Fiesta's death quickly spread through the congregation at St. Mark's, and it was met with the same shock and sorrow one would expect for a beloved and respected member of the community. Fiesta had been as much a member of the congregation as any, accompanying Elizabeth to services, even to the communion rail. And she loved begging for treats at the coffee hour that followed. One woman asked the rector, "When is the memorial service?" The rector replied that they would like to have one in a week or so, but needed to get the necessary permission. The woman's response summed up how people felt about Fiesta: "Why, that dog was a better Christian than most of the people in this church!"

Because Episcopalians believe that all God's creatures are significant, permission was easily granted – in fact it was soundly supported by the Bishop and higher clergy. The Chief Canon even called with suggestions for readings and hymns. And so a requiem mass was held to honor a dog who meant so much to so many people.

St. Mark's Cathedral held a respectable crowd that day – adults and children, and even a few dogs, including blood donor Barney. The specially printed pink pamphlet noted this was to be "A Celebration of the Life and Work of Fiesta – Faithful Companion in Life and Ministry of Elizabeth Rene."

The mass followed the same structure as a traditional requiem, with all of the readings and hymns tailored to reflect Fiesta's special place in the congregation's hearts. Marguerite Bauer gave a beautiful solo performance to honor Fiesta, and the entire congregation joined in on the hymn "We thank you, Lord of Heaven," a joyful song thanking God for various elements in nature – especially "for dogs with friendly faces."

The most moving part of the ceremony came when friends were asked to say a few words in remembrance of Fiesta.

Marguerite spoke first, relating wonderful stories about Fiesta in regards to Elizabeth's piano lessons and participation in choir. She noted the response to Fiesta's death as she called people to notify them. "Adults as well as children wept openly upon hearing the news," she said.

A co-worker of Elizabeth told how Fiesta meant so much to him because he too had owned Labrador Retrievers throughout his lifetime, and he spoke specifically of one black lab, Dylan, who had been his best friend and constant companion for 11 years. His remembrances were filled with humor, reminding everyone of the joy that comes from sharing life with a dog. He ended his eulogy with thoughts of Dylan and Fiesta together in Heaven, "My sadness (at their passing), however is tempered with the hope that you're both, right now, bounding across some great plain chasing an unlimited supply of heavenly balls, and lots and lots of squirrels."

The chalice bearer spoke next about how it felt to see Elizabeth with Fiesta at communion. As Fiesta, with her head resting on the rail, would look up at him with her soft brown eyes, he told how he often thought to himself, "I have a strong urge to offer her the cup… I bet Jesus wouldn't mind." He spoke about Fiesta's face as being a window to God, and noted that when he looked at her he felt the joy of peace.

One by one, others came up to the podium to say a few words about this very special dog. The priest told how, though he was a "cat man," Fiesta reached him like no other animal. As he went along the communion rail, he would slightly touch her on the brow and say "Thanks be to God for Fiesta." Another friend spoke of Fiesta's "wonderful presence. I would best describe it as gentleness and grace." A young girl, who had prepared a special good-bye letter to Fiesta, broke down at the podium and cried for the loss. Elizabeth hugged her for a long time after she stepped down.

In closing the eulogy, Canon Strohmier called Fiesta "an icon of servant leadership," and said she felt certain that Fiesta was with God. "There are wagging tails in Heaven now," she said. She spoke of how Fiesta helped them all to learn that "we are all brothers and sisters" and "we can no longer afford to think of ourselves as the only species that matters."

After the communion and commendation, the congregation was invited to a reception where they could all share their remembrances and comfort each other. It is safe to say that Fiesta will be in their hearts and thoughts for a very long time.

A few weeks after the ceremony, Elizabeth emphasized how important the service was in helping her to cope with her devastating loss. The preparation kept her occupied during those first few days alone, and the flood of condolence calls and cards lifted her spirits when they were at their lowest.

She admits that she is not looking forward to going through guide dog school yet again, but she knows she needs another being to give her love to. "The measure of how much I loved Fiesta is how much I will love the next dog," she said.

Fiesta's ashes were entombed in the crypt at St. Mark's, along with those of Ingram, Elizabeth's first guide dog. They will eventually be joined by Elizabeth when she dies, united once again on that heavenly plain.

Note: Fiesta, trained by Guiding Eyes for the Blind in San Rafael, CA, was Delta Society's 1990 Guide Dog of the Year.

Originally published in Alert , National Service Dog Center^® Newsletter Vol. 5, No. 1 1994. Edited for the web and updates.