In Loving Memory of the Best Dog Ever.
So the memories he brought everyone will never be forgotten.
April 2009 – May 17, 2024
Oreo
Touched the hearts of everyone who knew him. Oreo was a Jack Russell Terrier, born in April 2009 and adopted by the Fitzpatrick-Ruth family in August 2009 at about 4 months olds.
Months after the death of their Pomeranian, Sharon wanted another dog. Michael wasn’t thrilled with the prospect but said that if we were going to get one, he wanted a Jack Russell. Kim and Sharon saw him in the first kennel in the animal shelter and Kim knew he’d be the one coming home with them. After several visits and a wait while he was de-wormed, Oreo arrived at his forever home, and met everyone but Kevin who was across the country at a Boy Scout camp for the week. Kevin came home to meet Oreo a week later.
Oreo’s first stop after his prison break was Sonic in Lumberton, NJ, where the nice young kid who skated out with our food saw him in the backseat and brought him a cup full of ice water, which he immensely enjoyed, sticking his whole head into the cup to gobble up every little bit.
Oreo was cold from around October to April every year. He loved to burrow under covers or cuddle up with him humans, often laying behind their knees. He was known to often hide under the covers until he started panting, but wouldn’t come out. If you had an electric blanket, you’d have a friend. And i when the auto-shut off triggered, he’d give you a look like you stole something from him.
Oreo has a doggie jacket and on at least one occasion knocked it from the back of the chair it was hanging on, slid his neck through the loop and put the jacket on before heading outside on a cold and snowy day.
Oreo worked harder than any dog, earning an honorary Master’s degree in supply chain management from Rutger’s University, with the occasional assistance of his primary caretaker and Chinese Tutor, Wan. Oreo attended every class and helped Wan learn R and SQL and later worked for a major drug company, from his “cubicle” under Wan’s desk.
Oreo was extremely protective of his family and his house. While break-ins have happened to cars and homes on the same street, no one dared touch anything within his sight.
Oreo was also defensive against new people, nipping at anyone who could get in the front door.
Jess was the first to be adopted into his pack. She met him twice and was kept at bay. Oreo watched her every move and didn’t even allow her to hug anybody. During Superstorm Sandy Jess stayed over. Oreo was shocked to see she was still there in the morning but made the quick determination that she must be part of the pack and therefore was her friend too and promptly cuddled up with her, paving the way for Wan, Kim and Katie.
Oreo had 1,000 nicknames: OO, Xiǎo bǎobǎo, Demon Dog, baby or baby puppy, but was never once “bad dog”.
Oreo knew when he did something wrong (which was extremely rare). If he did, like pee on the floor, he would find the first person he could and bring it to their attention – and was embarrassed by it, curling up, tail back, head down and paw up, to show he knew he did something bad and he was sorry and would often lick your face as an apology.
Oreo had a fan club: A Signal group which mostly consisted of Wan posting the cutest pictures from her massive collection and Kevin, Mike and Jess adoring the cuteness. In his final days, Sharon and Kim even signed up for Signal, just to join the Oreo Fan Club.
Oreo had three brothers, Oscar, Buddy and Scout, better known as Poodlehead. Oscar was a dachshund mix, probably since he was a puppy.
Scout and Buddy were half brothers and Jack Russell Mixes. A vet said based on his head, Scout was likely part Poodle, while we suspected Buddy might be part Golden Retriever.
When out in public, Oreo was always on his best behavior and more reserve than he normally was. But such a cute dog attracted a crowd!
When returning from his hunting lodge (Mike and Jess’s place), he would always go for a walk at Smithville, where passerby’s showered him with compliments, children tried to pet him and one women, after remarking how adorable he was, told her little dog he better be good – “that’s the Fraiser dog, he’ll %&#! up up!”
As much as he loved the walks, he loved the car rides too, staring out the window at what we presume he assumed what part of his kingdom.
In his old age, he was taken through drive-thrus several times. He was shocked to learn that you could pull up at a window, bark, and someone would hand you food! And good for at that, nice juicy baconaters.
Donate to the Burlington County Animal Shelter
Created by Oreo’s loving servants/family.