Oliver Nusbaum

Oliver Nusbaum, age 10, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday March 6, 2019.  He was born January 9, 2009. 

Oliver, often called Olivoo Bud, Mr. Voo, and Piggers was a fun-loving fellow.  He could be very opinionated and stubborn at times but also very sensitive.  He was intune with his family; he always knew when anyone was upset about something, and he would sit next to them to offer his comfort. He really felt like the kids were his siblings; and he would sleep with them, hang out with them, and wanted to be a part of whatever they were doing... except swimming in the pool, even though he was really good at it.

He was always so happy to see family and guests. As soon as someone walked in the door he would start snorting like a pig and running really fast around the room, coming in for pats in between circles. He was always so friendly with people; he would get pets from everyone. Anytime he saw someone for the first time in a while, he'd get really excited and start trying to wag his little tail so hard that he just ended up wiggling his butt side to side.  Oliver picked up on things like keys jingling or people putting their coats on, he knew that meant it was time for goodbye pets.  His family had a way of whistling that they would only use if he was getting ready to be let outside; he would always respond to it.

When Oliver was a baby, he had to go to the animal hospital for a few days.  He was so tiny he fit in the pocket of the nurse’s scrubs. Oliver loved bath time!  When we would bathe him, he looked like a cute little hamster because he was so tiny. After haircuts and baths, he would run around the house snorting and jumping like a wild little pig, mostly because he would be so excited to get his treat.

Oliver was an important part of the family. He loved to be pet on the belly and behind the back of his ears. He was brave beyond belief. One time he ran into the neighbor’s yard to tease the Rottweilers living next door and he would dive back under the fence at the last second to avoid them. Oliver was a guardian of the household, he would sit up in the window on the top of the couch and defend his family against the approach of mailmen, garbage trucks, and people on walks!  He was truly the best watch dog.  His family could always tell when someone was coming up to the door because he would bark.  If he liked you, then you were lucky enough to get to see him dance at your arrival.

Oliver loved to go on walks and trailing at Turkey Run and other state or nearby parks. He was an avid explorer and adventure since he was just a little lad. As he got older, he had to pee on everything when he took walks; even on single blades of grass.

He was an expert at riding in the car.  He was so smart too; he knew how to stay upright when we would turn. On long road trips, he always wanted to sit on our laps, but he wouldn't put his head out the window if we were going over 30 miles per hour because of the wind in his nose.  He was pretty fearless unless it was heights, one of his only fears. 

Oliver wasn’t just a kind and caring brother to his human siblings, he was also a great big brother and example to Ratweed.  Oliver was so good and so smart, and always waited his turn. He taught Ratweed how to be a dog, what the rules were, and how to fit in. For years Ratweed would only go out to potty in the grass with Oliver. He would copy everything Oliver did; Oliver was a great teacher and a loving brother.

Oliver loved to play tug of war and tag.  He never passed up a treat, but his absolute favorites were bones. 

Oliver’s family had so many wonderful things to say about him, but this one sentence sums it up well, “Oliver was an extremely loving and devoted friend and member of this family for ten years, and he is so dearly missed.”

His family also wants everyone to know that he passed away in the middle of the night from chocolate poisoning, with vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. He deserved a much better death. Chocolate definitely does kill dogs. Hopefully people knowing what happened to Oliver will help prevent this from happening to any other dog

.Oliver is survived by Dannette, Terence, Adalaide, Paul, Zipporah, Ratweed, & Juno.

Please feel free to leave a condolence or special memory of Oliver with his family on his tribute wall. 

~Having a dog will bless you with the happiest days of your life, and one of the worst days.~

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