Downtown will miss you, Seamus

If you have spent time in downtown Culpeper over the past few years, you probably encountered a Border Collie named Seamus.

Maybe you stepped around him as he relaxed at the Purple Parrot, where Daphne always had treats for him — the good treats, no cheap stuff!

Perhaps you waited a minute longer for your table at It’s About Thyme while John stepped outside to say hello to Seamus, and maybe even slip him a bite of pot roast.

You may have paused to give Seamus a pat as he patiently waited outside the Frenchman’s Corner while his owner shopped inside.

You may have wondered, as you drove through town late at night, at the man devotedly walking his leisurely dog at all hours of the night.

I’m sorry to tell you that downtown Culpeper has lost a little bit of its sparkle. Seamus the Border Collie passed away March 24. He was comforted to the end by his owner, Brian Strecker, who gave him a life that every dog should be so lucky to have.

Brian adopted Seamus early in 2003. Seamus was at that time already considered an “older” dog and had spent some time as a stray. His foster family was having a difficult time placing him in a permanent home.

Fortunately, Brian felt an instant connection to this special dog, and with time and patience they forged a very special bond. Their connection was obvious to all who encountered them.
So many people will miss seeing Seamus on his daily walks on Davis Street. He was a fixture in the community, but he also brought strangers together and touched a lot of lives. Seamus truly was a good dog.

Shannon Button owns All Creatures Pet Sitting in Culpeper.