James Anderson Province, a mixed breed dog and Caribbean transplant who lived in West Tisbury for the past nine years, died on Nov. 19 at home, surrounded by the love of his owner Lil Province.

James and his sister Chandler were found by the side of the road in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, when they were five weeks old. Their new owners brought them back to the Vineyard to live. Chandler survives him, along with his stepbrother, Cooper. James will always be remembered as a sensitive, loving and devoted companion who was an incredible dancing partner. His owners miss his hugs.

Special thanks are extended to Dr. Jennifer Everett, Dr. Steve Atwood and Dr. Janet Ross at Animal Health Care Associates. In his memory, his owners recite the poem Passing On by Stevie Smith published in June Cotner’s collection titled Animal Blessings:

When a dog finally passes on, there is an emptiness, a place in our hearts that will never be filled again in exactly the way it was. Because no matter how many dogs we have over the years, each is unique, a friend, and when they go away, our lives are changed forever in many small ways.