Remembering Mildred ‘Millie’ Foxy Findlay, ~2006-2021

Most of the obituaries we publish are for people, but we have occasionally received and published remembrances in memory of pets (including our own last year). This is from Tony:

I don’t think people freely speak enough about the depth of grief we feel we lose a pet. The loss is profound because it’s not only a beloved family member who is with you day in and day out, but it’s a little life that we care for, and tend to, from start to finish. But, they take care of us too.

In 2008, Millie, a Border Collie mix, was found running wild on the side on Interstate 5 in Skagit County. She was rescued by Northwest Organization for Animal Help (NOAH) in Stanwood, after what was likely an exhausting game of chase. Somewhat emaciated but in otherwise good health, the estimated 2 year old pup was quickly adopted by her forever people and brought to live in Seattle.

In her younger years, Millie enjoyed chewing up shoes, running and hiking with her people, chasing balls without bringing them back, barking at every other dog she saw (only wanting a sniff), and running for hours on the beaches in northern Puget Sound.

Throughout her entire life, she had an affinity for eating the droppings of other animals, particularly cats and rabbits, and rolling in the smelliest things she could find (particularly dead fish), embedding the scent deep into her thick double coat. She was also well known for her “I do what I want” attitude and letting everyone know that with her distinctly unique, absolutely shrill bark. In her later years, she enjoyed casual walks with her people, lying at their feet, and taking naps in the Lamb’s Ear in the backyard garden.

Most of all, she was a deeply affectionate dog who showed nothing but selfless devotion and love to her people, serving as their rock from early adulthood to nearly middle age. She was fortunate enough to peacefully pass away with painless intervention, in the comfort of her own home in the embrace of her people, after nearly nine months of progressing degenerative myelopathy.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

16 Replies to "Remembering Mildred 'Millie' Foxy Findlay, ~2006-2021"

  • miws April 11, 2021 (11:01 am)

    Condolences to Millie’s family. Border Collies are such great dogs; loving and very intelligent.  —Mike

  • WSOwl April 11, 2021 (11:09 am)

    Sweet tribute. Sorry for your loss.

  • BetteDavisEyes April 11, 2021 (11:39 am)

    Tony, our hearts go out to you.  For people who love animals, our four-legged family members occupy such a special place in our hearts.  Trust that Millie knew how much she was cared for and loved.  She’ll be waiting to greet you again, just across the rainbow bridge. ❤️

  • Yma April 11, 2021 (11:47 am)

    Thank you for sharing such a touching tribute. Millie was lucky to have found her caring forever family.

  • Tracey April 11, 2021 (11:52 am)

    Thanks for sharing your story.   Millie sounds like she was a great companion.  Perhaps there will be “Kitty Roca”  waiting for her in dog heaven.  I bet it is a staple of all the dog’s diets up there!  Very sorry for your loss.  

  • waikikigirl April 11, 2021 (1:57 pm)

    Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

  • Bonnie April 11, 2021 (2:19 pm)

    I love this. Thank you for sharing Millie with us. 

  • john April 11, 2021 (2:37 pm)

    Very sorry for your loss.  Sounds like she was a wonderful companion!!

  • Lisab April 11, 2021 (3:10 pm)

    Lovely animal; was clearly loved and what a touching tribute. 

  • Scubafrog April 11, 2021 (5:07 pm)

    Blessed be, sweet Millie – say hi to Terriers Mandy and Jayda in the everlasting Light~

  • Kris April 11, 2021 (5:43 pm)

    So incredibly sorry for the loss of your sweet Millie. What a lucky pup to be such a deeply loved member of your family. I hope the wonderful memories of her will help heal your heart with time. Hang in there. 

  • Jennifer Zutis April 11, 2021 (5:55 pm)

    Beautiful tribute, I’m sorry for your loss. 

  • BRN April 11, 2021 (6:25 pm)

    Thank you for letting us know about Millie. May your hearts be full of her love for you!

  • Loves Dogs April 11, 2021 (7:24 pm)

    Such a lovely tribute to beloved and beautiful pup Millie, we are so sorry for your loss.  Many thanks to WSB for posting this for us.  And a heartfelt thank you to NOAH animal shelter in Stanwood, one of our family’s favorite charities, for making such excellent use of our donations!  Those of us who spend time on Camano Island value and depend on NOAH as well.

  • anonyme April 12, 2021 (7:22 am)

    Love crosses all lines, including that of species.  Nor is that love any ‘less’ because of it.  The greatest love of my life had four legs, and can never be replaced.  Condolences to Millie’s human soul mates.

  • I Prefer Animals April 16, 2021 (3:31 pm)

    A lovely tribute for Millie. What a sweet furry face. My dogs were truly the loves of my life, my best friends and I miss them every day. If we should all be so lucky to know the unconditional love of an animal. My heartfelt sympathy to Millie’s family.

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