I’ve noted how, at its best, the Internet can bring together people across hundreds of miles to be virtual next door neighbors. Did I tell you it also has the power to set up a giant virtual dog park? In the course of writing this blog, the terriers, who are much more glamorous than I am, have picked up fans from all over the world. Soon they had Doggie Internet Pen Pals, most of them Smoothies but some of other breeds.
One of their favorites was Raleigh Pop (pronounced like lollypop) who took it further than Oscar and Lucy have yet dreamed of and had her own eponymous Dog Blog. While Oscar and Lucy had plenty of farm stories to post about, Raleigh Pop was an adventurous traveler. She didn’t need no steenkin’ crates, but rode shotgun even on long hauls from Brooklyn to Virginia. I seem to remember hearing about one trip where she and the woman she referred to as Owner took a long-haul bus trip. I told Oscar, at the time, that the bar had just been raised, but so far he hasn’t stepped up to the challenge.
Over the years, there was a lot of key Terrier Information flow between these blogs. It was through Raleigh Pop that I learned about the excellent movie, A Single Man, featuring director Tom Ford’s own Smooth Fox Terriers. That spawned a flurry of posts between this blog and Raleigh Pop’s. (Find them here, here and here.) Finally the word came from a breeder that Tom Ford and his partner had actually been on our blogs and enjoyed the terrier-centric deconstruction of the film. There was an immediate challenge for Ford to cast Oscar, Lucy and Raleigh Pop in his next movie.
Did I mention that such casting would have been a canine second coming of the Barrymores? Because Raleigh Pop and Oscar are direct cousins, coming from the Kenterra Kennels, while Lucy is a more distant cousin sharing the Morgansonne line. See talent does run in families.
All this background is leading up to some bad news. Yesterday, shortly before Raleigh Pop’s fourth birthday, she bolted out of a fenced dog park and into four lanes of traffic where she was hit by a car. She died quietly in Owner’s arms on the way to the vet.
But let’s not say died. Smooth Fox Terriers simply move from this world into the Realm of Dog Legend and Raleigh Pop has her place there. In fact, she sent her last Facebook post from Heaven encouraging everyone to hug their dogs and give them meat. And she assures us, she will now finally catch a fox. I know she’s up there with our Founding Terrier and Terrier Emeritus, Bonnie Prince Charlie, for whom our Lake Charles is named.
So let’s take a moment to remember a truly excellent terrier, Raleigh Pop.

She not only rode shotgun on long road trips. She knew how to deploy the air conditioning against summer heat.
So from Two Terrier Vineyards, a hearty “Vale, Cane” to Raleigh Pop. We’ll rendezvous in that big off-leash Dog Park in the sky.
We are so sad about this. She was such a beauty and a lively spirit. I love the idea of a “virtual dog park.” Thanks for this introducing us to her.
Dang it.
Thank you Lisa, Lucy and Oscar. Obviously Doggie Heaven has wifi and Raleigh is thrilled to be reading this. Or, like, after she catches that fox she will be. Much love to all our SFT friends near and far. I never thought that a breed and some blogging would make for such a great surrogate family. XOXO xoxo XOXO xoxo
oh how sad! She is certainly having a ball over The Rainbow Bridge now but what an empty spot you must have in your heart. Hugs~
Oh, dern. RIP Raleigh Pop.
Truly the stuff of which legends are made.
There was a wrinkle in the force when this lovely girl transmigrated into the realm of Smooth Fox Terrier Legend yesterday. Hale Cane … thou were the stuff of legends, laughter and love. You will live on in hearts and memories.
All of us @ Sunrise take a deep play bow in your honor. So very sorry for your undoubtedly acute loss, “Owner.”
Thank you for taking on the difficult task of sharing this very sad news Lisa. We have followed Raleigh Pop’s directive tonight and chicken was served with the kibbles after all were hugged deeply.
This is too sad.
So so sad – Jigzy sends terrier love and respect from Michigan. (Yugy sends love too, but of the mixed breed mushy mutt kind.) I’ll be cooking up a little extra chicken for the pups tonight in memory of Raleigh.
Thanks again everyone! I don’t know what else to add. Blogging! SFT fans! Chicken! These notes have everything Raleigh loved. The only thing left to do is turn in a few small, rapid circles chasing your own tail in tribute. It was her way.
XOXO, Sarah, aka The Owner
That is such sad news. Our beloved Abby, who also passed on before her time is there with Raleigh Pop and Charles. Our sincere condolences to Sarah. Sammie and Flash will be served well tomorrow in Raleigh Pop’s honor.
Frank
Oh, no! So sad. Poor thing, and poor you. Jack would give you a dog-kiss if he could.
All good dogs DO go to heaven, though.
my thoughts go out to Sarah on the loss of her beloved terrier 🙁
Happy to hear though that the blogging world is providing a source of terrier comfort during this tough time..
Fine dog. I’m sorry to hear this.
Hi,
Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann want to say hi too. Their owner is too dumb to figure out how to send our photos. Can you write an email address, and she’ll attach them?!
BION I’m impressed! Cool post!