Trubute To A Loved Dog Gone To The Bridge, something i wrote after loseing him

[HairBear58]

this is a tribute to a former fur friend ,soulmate and sorta canine lover ,on his terms only,he loved to lick and wash feet and wash your tonciels out. and bath and wash all a fellas dangy bits between too))
but didnt like to be played with or hump something unless there was a fem dog involved. he occ. would allow me to return the favor be going oral on him ,but after that he drew the line. which i respected))

anyway heres something i wrote for and about him right after(((((

oh yeah you may need tissues



HB58



Rodney



Laid to rest Jun09/1992-----------------------Mar21/2003

"Sur rod-niegh McDal"
Better known to all who loved him as, Rodney


Was assisted on his trip to RainBow Bridge by his loving human due to his sever failing health, And was buried on family land were he can always be visited and remembered, even thou we know he, s not really there, Its a place other than our hearts were we can go were there's something physical, till we get to see him again when we arrive at the bridge ourselves. And he along with all our other fur friends will be healthy and whole.


Rodney, why is a dogs life so short? It seems only yesterday when I took my wife to see you those many years ago, it hadn't been that long since Footloose #1 had passed away himself, but we were ready to be blessed with another dog and I had always wanted a Dalmatian. So when I saw the add I was more than ready to travel to were you were at.

Well, with me all that mattered was you had spots.;-) And all I had to do was place you in my wife's hands and arms and you snuggled right in and then gave her those puppy eyes. She was hooked too I didn't have to twist her arm that much after that.

we arranged for your payment so you were ours, and left happy you would be coming home in a few weeks, I remember the day we picked you up I drove there, but once you were home bound I made my wife drive so I could hold and love on you all the way home. And at 8-9 weeks you looked wonderful in your white puppy coat with spots shining Thu. Especially those spots that were on both front knees. That was my main way to tell you from the others.))

Well, we got home, and I introduced you to Fancyfree our aging "queen" German Shepherd I still have those pic,s. The ones were you were laid next to her belly, on the bed, your confused look of smells like a mommy dog but there's no spots, and her look of don't even think of it kiddo.

Well, it took many days but you two got along famously and she taught you how to stay out of "her" bowl. Were was the proper spot to go potty, and how to use your eyes to con those silly humans out of almost anything

Well, you and I became very bonded but you were as hardheaded as I was so it was more a matter of who had who trained.
Our arguments over how to use the dog door, rather than fussing at the door so it would be opened instead.
That being rolled on your back in my lap for tummy rubs wasn't a reason to think you had to fight for your life.
That playing keep-a-away with my shorts and dancing around with them like a prized [CENSOR] in the yard wasn't funny
That the knobs that held the toilet on the floor didn't need to be licked the entire time someone was using the toilet.
And NO the toilet bowl wasn't your personal water bowl.)
Counter surfing (taught to you by fancy) only got you in trouble.

You know I remember a few highlights of your years with us.
Coming home after a hard days work, collapsing in my easy chair then hearing your frantic running Thu the house when you realized I was home, hearing your approaching pawsteps, then silence as you would launch yourself from half the room away, and come sailing into my lap in an ungainly heap, not being very polite about were your outstretched paws landed, then trying to clean my teeth and my mouth as my eyes and mouth flew opened in protest.

Being a perfectly obeying dog when in the house, on a leash but let you outside and your hearing became nil, and you also thought you were a sled dog

Then I made the mistake one day of being down on the floor with you playing, and we got into a game of tug-of-war with your rope bone.
And thinking I would be fair, I stuck my end of the rope bone in my mouth and gripped it with my teeth, and let you do the same. (yes there's pics of this)
Then the tugging started all I can say is I. m glad I managed to not lose any teeth over that little stunt. But boy did my front teeth get a good flossing that day, it was also the last time I did that. )))))
Thanks buddy that memory has me grinning

Then there was your wish like any devoted dog to lay at your humans feet while they slept. That never bother me. dogs have always been allowed there, but you changed the rules. You insisted on being under the covers. Well, we got use to that than the stunt that almost cost you some teeth.
You demanded my feet be washed, if you were going to sleep with them near you they had to get bathed.
As goosey as my feet our its a wonder you didn't get kicked into the wall many times.
But you persisted, even holding then down deliberately, then washing them till they were clean to your satisfaction. I finally got use to it, and looked forward to this almost nightly ritual of a soothing massage

;(........... damn buddy i sure miss this part of you

Then of course there's the language you developed to speak to us silly humans. You could vocalize like no other dog I have ever heard, and had many sounds that I didn't know dogs could make. But you could let us know just how you felt, like if you were upset with us etc.or if we didn't lift the cover soon enough for you, when you would want to come back into bed, usually accompanied by a cold wet nose to the face.
Or if we were eating something and you wished a piece you could con some from us, Most of the time.

And up to the last day you always could express yourself, But now I jump back a little I, d been told all about a dal, s special needs and problems when I got you, but nothing prepared me for the horror of your illness. That became lifelong after you turned 3.
I had just returned form overseas with the Guard and my wife told me about this strange fit you'd had. Well, soon after you had another one, and it truly scared me as I thought I was going to lose you then and there. It turned out to be epilepsy. and the horrible fits attacked you without mercy, we finally got it sorta under control with Med,s and learned to live with its aftereffects.


I,m sorry the vets talked me into whacking your Nads off at this point, but they said it would help control the fits. It never did and we never let you mate again after finding out about it, so keeping them wouldn't have mattered but it might have been easier to control you weight.
I hope at least that now that your at the bridge in a whole and well body it includes a new set of Nads.))))))))))

You did truly love Me, and my Wife (Joan) and our Son (Stefan) and your Mate (Duchess) and the pup of yours we kept (Oreo). and even the cats Tiger, Calliee (at the Bridge) and Pepper
I must ask at this time about you and Tiger, both males, and both cut. (while we had you)
But that cat tiger (still living) and you were just a tad strange ...OK so maybe it was just Tiger who was strange. But you were certainly were accommodating
I wish to this day I had a pic of it, cause its quite strange, you laying there quietly while this silly cat would curl up at your tummy and then nurse on you like you were his Mom)))))) silly dog))))))... strange cat.

You know Rod, I run short of things to say, not because there's nothing there, but because I have the pics and memories safely tucked away. And I guess I'm still overwhelmed by having to help yet another loved friend travel on to the bridge

you have been such a happy part of my life for so long now it seems, and we had learned to cope with the monster of the fits, and the drugs you needed to keep them partially at bay, every time a fit struck as long as I was near, the first thing you knew as you come back from them was I was nearby. Reassuring you all was OK, but it was the very drugs you needed to survive that did slowly lead to your demise. It was after we,d moved back into a very tiny apt in part of the families house that your sudden turn for the worse became apparent. You swelled up and starting acting miserable, the vets findings said the Med,s have ruined your liver etc. The tests showed many different things all contributing to your failing health.
We got you stabilized and as comfortable as possible then enjoyed every day we had with you.

The pup Footloose (a gift from a friend) was your shadow, and also a pest but he seemed to adore you, and you in your time left taught him a few important lessons about being this humans dog.

you know Rodney. He learned well, he has become a very gentle foot washer. Thu my tears right now it suddenly dawns on me you must have sent that gift form the other side of the bridge. Cause Footloose dissipate his name never did this before your passing (((((((((:::::::::::......)
I don't know weather to cry from sadness or happiness, or laugh at this revelation

.
Thanks my "fantastically fine favorite four footed fur friend" that memory will never fail.


Back to the here and now. We knew it was only a matter of time, but we fought for each week, and even days, always I guess refusing to think to far ahead, as long as you seemed content we were happy to just let you be sleeping more, eating whenever you liked giving those extra pets and hugs.


Getting you in my lap often and giving long tummy and paw rubs you, d learned yrs ago it was OK but you still insisted on trying to face wash me at the same time.))

Calling the vets yet again to see if there was another Med. we could use or could we increase or decrease one to counter the problems that just refused to get better.
Your continued weight lose that took away from your face and head and tail and chest, but eventually the bloating to your belly never went down making you look more like an over-inflated beachball.

Then it became apparent your comfort and happiness were waning, and I got called up for possible military duties. I knew you would never last my deployment. And I could and would not abandon you like this. Nor did I wish to have to dump this on my Wife. As she truly loved you as deeply as I do.

So as soon as got back from the readiness processing, I faced the harsh facts before me in your gaunt frame and oversize belly. When even the extra painkillers I, d added from Amingo no longer seemed to help. I made the call to the vets setting the day and sealing our fate.

It was a bitch having to try to fit all this into the short time frame I was working under.
Like it was only a side task, and not a good part of my life being torn asunder.
But I got permission to bury you in my extended families yards in the back of were we now live, and due to the horrible weather even had to plan ahead for digging the grave

Well, the sun shined today. Despite the cold and partly overcast skies, and the deed was done early, my brother living at the top of the hill even saw me and came down to help dig your resting place.

I then came back in and spent as much time as we had left just loving you.
Oh Rodney its OK. You tried so hard to prove it was like any other day and that all was well..
You even tried valiantly to play tug-of-war one more time. Of course the other dogs jumped into the middle of it and took over, knocking you out of the spotlight but that just earned you extra couch time with me on my knees next to you.

Well, the time has come, we load up for the ride, in my haste to leave I forgot the checkbook, and had to call my wife before I got to the vets, to follow me and bring it down. We got there and like a trooper you marched right in and stepped on the scary scales calmly, But after stepping off and having to wait you started to get nervous and scared, but you were the bravest one there if you ask me even though your heart was pounding like crazy.
While I was waiting for her, they explained the procedure, and gave you a sedative.
She got there and got to say good bye one more time then had to leave. Then you and I went into the exam room and settled down, I got on the floor to be closer to you and give you comfort, and you crawled as far into my lap as you could to comfort me.
Slowly the sedatives took hold and I could feel your frantic heartbeat and hyper breathing slowly calm and slow down, it was this time the staff left us alone that we discussed our times together, and all the fun we, d had. But then it was time to accept that it was your time to part form your human, and travel on the bridge, as your work was done, and your reward was the gifts at the bridge, till such time as we were joined again.

Slowly you relaxed and began traveling on the plane that's in-between both worlds, there with me but not, seeing the bridge but not yet there.
Not wanting to leave, but knowing you had to, not wanting to look back, but having to speak your love back to your person, so they would know you loved them as much as they loved you. That you could hear there sobs and feel their falling tears and you whined and cried for them, yourself but you couldn't lick theirs away now.

Oh Rodney how this hurts me. I know I do the right thing releasing you, but having to choose this path for you is a job I never wanted. I look down on you, Thu my tears
and see the spotted puppy, the was a destroyer of many things and the devoted adult you became.
Cherishing every memory we have. I hope the vet hurry's cause I,m suddenly worried the sedatives may be too strong for your weakened system and you, ll pass on before he comes in.

That thought spurs me into a steady stream of tears and sobs and whispered, I love you, s, and its OK to go. And say hi to my other fur friends there, Footloose and Fancyfree and Tashsa and Dolly, and promises that I, ll be there someday too, and it wont be heaven if you aren't there. And my telling you about your perfect body that you, ll be getting (with nuts i hope)

You fade further on the plane in-between both worlds, and when the vet dose come in you don't even know he's there. All you know is I,m holding you and loving you and your ready now. Your heart and breathing are restfully slow and your dreaming.
You can hear me faintly, and smell me, your tongue hangs lazily on my lap as I stroke your face, bent over you my tears wash your own away.
You don't even seem to feel the needle as the vet slips it in. I look away from that and hold your head in my hands and bury my face in yours
telling you its OK to leave. Stroking you repeatedly I wait for the vets words




Finally he confirms it ...................



They left us alone for awhile, then came in to help



Some how I got you home



Let the rest of the dogs out to see you, so they would understand


Got you to your resting place, after fighting the overgrown and steep path it took to get you there

And in site of your canine family I returned your body to the earth, amidst there whines and cries. I to cried and sat there with you afterwards for a time.


My slightly dementia-Ed grandma, who owns the house and land, even
hobbled out there and laid flowers out for you.


I plan soon to plant a rose bush as your marker. Sort of a payback for peeing on and killing every rosebush I had at the other houses. It will be the prettiest noblest one I can find.

Till we met at the bridge with the others my fine friend. Enjoy your youthful pain-free wait

Your Loving Human

This post has been edited by HairBear58 on Mar 29 2004, 06:21 AM

[BitchFool]

A wonderful tribute to a wonderful friend.. :(

[lornstarshine]

*hugs* what a wonderful companion rodney was...he too is waiting for you and taking care of your other friends now <3

[---2---]

Time will never take those memories Rodney will always be with you and he awaits your return to him. Time will not win every fight. You will be together once again.

This post has been edited by ---2--- on Mar 30 2004, 01:36 AM

[Honeyraptor]

I read this writing allready over at BB... But is just cant find the right words...

Words cant decribe the feelings i encounter reading this tribute - i wish i could put my thoughts into the right words... :unsure:

Allways remember him! As long as you will think about him he will be with you forever!! And nothing on this plane of exisitng will ever change that!!

[rick]

Beautiful im still wiping the tears away it reminds me of how hard it was to put one of my dogs down years ago realy tares ya heart out i know thanks for posting.

[HairBear58]

thank you all for your comments etc))

honestly i dont know which is worse loseing them with no warning
or having to assit them.
both suck, but the pawprints they leave in our lives and hearts
are special.
and it dose them justise that we find we cant be without another
one of them in our lives))

anyway here a pic of him in his better days)))))

it was a couple yrs ago, he,d just got caught counter surfing
were he,d help himself to a large chunk of our sons b-day cake
which explains the guilty look
the other dal head iin the corner of the pic is his own son
HB58

Attached Image ( Click on thumbnail to view full size image )

[Honeyraptor]

I like dalms, he looks very beautifull :)

[rick]

Having to asist is the worst ,looking into those eyes and seeing the life fade from them isnt easy i more recently lost a dog to cancer we prolonged her life but the cancer or rather the kemo won. She got an infection and despite our efforts she passed on,we had her on opiats so she was in no pain and went quietly.
In a way it was a relief, the months leading up to her death were hard and i wouldnt like to go thruogh it again but it did give me time to deal with the fact that she would probally die and although i dont know if id make the same choice again im grateful for the extera time we had together.