Goodbye To A Friend

To the Editor:

It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to my dear friend Brian.

Brian Silverlieb, VMD, was a very special soul. He was a gentle man with compassion for all living things. He loved and respected life. He saw the good in everyone and treated each person with dignity and kindness. Even in his last weeks, as speech became more and more difficult, he was polite and mannerly, saying “thank you,” “that was so nice,” “love you,” and, “don’t forget me.”

Forget him? How could we ever. He touched us all. In 1999, when no one would speak for Newtown’s pound dogs, I approached Brian, and he stepped right up. He attended countless meetings with the police chief and first selectman. He spoke up, and because of his knowledge and commitment, Newtown’s pound is today a place where dogs are cared for, loved, and given veterinary care.

Brian was a proud member of the Board of Canine Advocates of Newtown, Inc. He attended board meetings and was interested in every aspect of the organization’s growth. He was excited that a new pound facility for Newtown is on the horizon.

Brian loved all God’s creatures and his personal life was filled with animals of every kind. But his life was not complete until the arrival of his son, Darryl. Darryl made the sun shine and brought the true love that only a father and son can know. Brian would light up at the mention of Darryl’s name and could talk endlessly about his achievements at school and in athletics. However, he was most proud of the young man Darryl is becoming: kind, compassionate, and loving.

Brian will be missed by all the clients of Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals whose pets he helped over 30-plus years, by all his friends, and by all the dogs and cats he treated at the Newtown pound. However, I am sure the Lord has already welcomed Brian into heaven, where he has been greeted by all the animals he loved who have already crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Virginia Jess

48 Apple Blossom Lane, Newtown                        February 27, 2011