Editors, Vineyard Gazette;
Oswalt came to us through the Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. chapter of the ASPCA, which had brought him north from Mississippi in 2007. At first he was skeptical. Beaches and surf were things he had never experienced in his young life. But he quickly learned to love them. Seagulls, he found, were fun too.
Over time, Oswalt became my muse as I worked on my art. I would watch him as he slept, all curled up in his favorite spot on our bed. Sometimes his lip would curl and his paws tremble as he dreamed of chasing seagulls through the bayou.
We would ride out thunderstorms together in my basement studio. He would jump into the bed we had assembled for him and urge me to put on some loud but soothing music for him. Usually, a Hank Williams Live at the Grand Ole Opry CD was just what the doctor ordered. Oswald loved old Hank.
He adored the dog park in Oak Bluffs and many long-lasting relationships were made there.
In later years, people we met were always stunned to learn his age: “He’s old enough to drink in five states,” my friend Mike said.
When Oswalt died in late May, the heartbreak was unimaginable. But the severe sorrow swiftly merged with gratitude on multiple levels. My beloved friends, customers and co-workers at the West Tisbury post office showered me with countless tokens of compassion and love that were so moving, so sincere, that they will stay with me forever. Cards, flowers, pies and pastries. Text messages and emails. Literature that was painstakingly searched and printed out. Even books.
Eileen Maley wrote an obituary of sorts in her weekly town column for the Gazette.
I was moved beyond words. Thank you — each and every one of you for all the wonderful, kind words and gestures. They really mean the world to me. I have learned so much and am a better person for it. All for the undying love of a little white dog named Oswalt.
Thank you.
Jack Ryan
Oak Bluffs
This article appears in August 28, 2026.