Friends say good-bye to therapy dog

Petie the certified therapy dog’s battles with cancer have ended.

According to Petie’s mother, friend and coworker, Carol Rainwater Baker, “Petie passed away on May 10, 2021.”

“Sadly, very sadly, Petie developed a third type of cancer shortly after his retirement party,” Baker said. “It was liver cancer and this time there wasn’t anything the oncology department at MU Veterinary Health Center in Columbia, Missouri, could do. Dr. Cowan told me he only had a few days and she was right.”

Petie’s memorial visitation will be held from 5:30–6 p.m. Wednesday at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff. A memorial service will begin at 6 p.m. in the chapel with brother Mark Panogos officiating.

Baker said, “There’s going to be a few therapy dogs and service dogs there to help honor Petie. Petie was cremated. Petie was very popular and it’s difficult for me to keep up with all of his followers - or as I like to call them, Petie’s Peeps.”

Petie Sweet Love Rainwater Baker CGC TKN, 13, was born Sept. 14, 2007, in Dexter. He was a full-blooded miniature schnauzer, but no one wanted him because he was white. At 10 months, Petie was rescued by his permanent family – Clayton and Carol Rainwater Baker.

“I saw something different in him, something more,” Baker said.

She felt he would be a good therapy dog, and he was.

Baker said, Petie flew through doggy school, earning his Canine Good Citizen Title through the AKC and the Therapy Dog Program. Petie started out working at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Petie worked at Oakdale Care Centers and served the elderly there. He also attended many visitations, funerals, hospice care, 90th birthday parties, hospital visits and much more during the next 10 years.

Petie earned his Trick Dog Title through the AKC on Dec. 4, 2020, at 13 after battling cancer. He earned the letters TKN behind his names.

Petie’s first cancer in 2018 was splenic sarcoma and the second in January involved the removal of half of his right lung.

The lung surgery “was a huge, huge surgery for the little guy,” Baker said.

The January surgery “was definitely successful because he wouldn’t have made it another 24 hours,” she said. “He was literally dying. He was not eating. He couldn’t even move.”

His full name was Petie Sweet Love Rainwater Baker CGC TKN.

Petie fought cancer again in January 2021 and beat it. Petie officially retired on March 31, 2021. Sadly, he developed a third type of cancer shortly after he retired.

“Petie has accomplished more in his short 13 years of life than many people do in 70-80 years,” Baker said. “Petie’s family and friends, including SEMO Dog Trainers, couldn’t be more proud of him. He will be forever missed.”

The family is asking everyone to wear blue in honor of Petie for Pet Cancer Awareness.

“Always treasure your time with your furry friends,” Baker said. “They are so, so precious.”