Obituaries

Locally Known Boston Terrier Passes Away

Well-known to folks at Westwood's Islington Station, Endicott the Mighty's memory is being kept alive by his owners, who are seeking donations to animal hospital.

The following was submitted by Dan Petitpas:

 

Endicott the Mighty, a Boston terrier that was known to thousands of South Station and commuter rail passengers, died Tuesday, August 21st after a short illness. He was 11 years old.

Find out what's happening in Westwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Endicott traveled to work every day on the train with Susan Gellerman and Dan Petitpas, a married couple, who own a transcription business in downtown Boston. When commuters saw him strutting down a platform, they knew which track the Franklin/Forge Park commuter train was boarding on.

He was also unusually large for a Boston terrier, a fact that cast doubt on his American Kennel Club registration. A DNA test proved he was a full Boston terrier but from a split litter of two Boston terrier males, the intended beau and an interloper staying at the breeders’.

Find out what's happening in Westwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Life was not easy for Endicott. On News Years’ Day 2002 he was diagnosed with juvenile epilepsy after suffering seven seizures overnight. Dr. Allen Sissen, staff neurologist at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, worked out a regime that kept the seizures to a minimum throughout his life.

Endicott started riding the commuter rail when he was just eight weeks old, The train was second nature to him. Commuters looking up would see Endicott’s head along with those of other commuters as he sat straight up on a briefcase on his owner’s lap.

Endicott’s illness was short. He had been feeling tired and sluggish for about 10 days when he was taken to the animal hospital. An examination determined be had cancer involving nearly his entire liver and pancreas. During an operation, the tumor was found to be quite extensive, involving other organs. Without hope of recovery, and to spare him further pain, the decision was made to euthanize him on the operating table

Donations in Endicott’s name came be made to Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here