Tuxedo Von Sank

Tuxedo Von Sank (aka Tux, formerly known as Snoopy), an Australian Shepherd crossed with a Treeing Walker Coonhound, passed away peacefully of old age at home surrounded by loved ones on August 3, 2026. Tux was a member of the Snoopy litter born in the rolling hills of North Carolina in February 2011. Along with siblings Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Violet, he traveled to Princeton, New Jersey, in search of a family to meet his every need. 

Watching his siblings find homes first was disappointing, and in frustration Tux lashed out and bit Charlie Brown. Report of that incident to shelter staff caught a visiting family’s attention, but not in Tux’s favor: they wanted to adopt Charlie Brown! Luck was on Tux’s side, however, because they were desperate for a puppy and Charlie Brown was promised to another family. And so it was that he joined the canine population in nearby Lawrenceville, in the home of humans Dennis, Terri, Ashleigh, and Veda.

For the next 15 years he was a steadfast companion who favored table food over kibble; aimed his ear-splitting bark at birds, squirrels, and animals on TV; tolerated dog visitors of all kinds; and taught the family the meanings of his various types of whines. He was diagnosed early on with a low tolerance for frustration, which plagued him until the very end. The highlight of every day was his nightly mission to find a hidden chewbone. He was an excellent sleeper, with beds just about anywhere he wished to rest. Starting in 2017, he resided in Trenton, where he celebrated summer days by the pool with Frosty Paws and regular yard patrols. He often enjoyed a stroll to the mayor’s yard to leave messages for neighborhood dogs. 

Tux was always game for adventure, and his favorite trips included Christmas in Hilton Head, weekends at the beach house in Belmar, vacationing at a creekside cabin outside of Pittsburgh, and stays with his absolute favorite dog sitter in Hightstown. A country boy at heart, Tux tolerated brief visits to Philadelphia and Brooklyn.

Always stoic, Tux made it up and down flights of stairs right up to his final day, despite arthritic legs and a new fear of descending them. He spent his final days eating whatever he wanted (including pepperoni pizza and a Philly cheesesteak hand pie), sleeping a lot, and receiving countless hugs. A blessing to open his third eye gave a measure of peace to everyone  present. He departed this world nestled in his biggest bed surrounded by immediate family (Dennis, Terri, Ashleigh, Pizza, Veda, and Sameer). And virtual hugs and well wishes from near and far added to the gentle transition.

Terri O.