A few years ago, my father retired from public school teaching, and decided to get a dog to keep him company. He purchased a yellow Labrador Retreiver puppy, who was dubbed "RD" for "Ron's Dog." He started out small, but quickly grew into a barrel-chested lunkhead, who panted like a freight train whenever he saw a person who might give him food or attention, which is to say any person at all.
A week or so ago, he started acting a bit off, and wouldn't eat. For this dog, that was a major crisis, so they took him to the vet. Yesterday, they found out that he was riddled with tumors, and they had to put him to sleep this morning.
Needless to say, my parents are devastated. We're pretty broken up here at Chateau Steelypips, too. He was a terrific dog, one of the most lively and energetic dogs ever. I put the handful of pictures we have of him up in this Flickr set, and I'll add more if I come across them. The devastatingly cute puppy picture, I'll put below the fold, because I tear up looking at it.
Things will be quiet here today. I've got classes to teach, and a couple of appointments, and then I need to take the Queen of Niskayuna for a really long walk or two...
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A very tearful many thanks. His majesty the Lunkhead would approve. Of all the tough things I've had to deal with, this ranks right up there. He was too young but sometimes life just isn't fair. For those who think it was just a dog, I feel sorry for you. You don't know what you're missing in the way of unconditional love.
I'm sorry Chad. We lost our cat unexpectedly about a year and a half ago. You'll always remember your friend.
Good luck.
They give such joy to life, don't they?
I'm so sorry to hear this. Please accept my condolences.
Chad, (and especially mom and dad )-
I, too, went through this last October with a 10 yr. Samoyed - a most wonderful companion - who died much too young. It is indeed wrenching. But take comfort in the fact that you made his life terrific.
We'll be hugging our dogs a little extra in memory of the Lunkhead.
And don't be afraid to get another dog - they don't replace the lost one, but they do help a lot.
And what you said about unconditional love - spot on.
Dave
I'm sorry to hear of this.
My condolences to you and to your parents.
I'm so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful friend.
He was 80+ pounds of affection, and while that was occasionally a bad thing (like the time he jumped on the bed with us in it), his sweet exuberance will really be missed.
Poor fella. This dog sounded like another member of the family, just as mine always were. My condolences to your parents.
Heartfelt condolences. Dogs have a bunch of stuff figured out that we humans could stand to learn about love and setting priorities.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the dog to tear.
(Kipling)
Boomer,
Great tribute to "Tron" ( as I usually referred to RD). The Kipling quote: the perfect poem, the perfect words at an imperfect time. Your folks are fine( though they've been better...) As good as RD was for your Mom and Dad, your Mom and Dad were good for him too. What good, good friends! Give Kate a hug for me!
Dear Chad,
How wonderfully sweet and thoughtful of you to pay tribute to RD. We all loved him so; fortunately for us, we had the pleasure of having him as a house guest two weekends ago. Uncle Joe loved having a dog at his feet again and gave him lots of belly rubs. RD was his usual, rambunctious self and when your folks returned to pick him up, he about turned himself inside out at the sight of them. Don't know how well you remember our "Boots"; he was probably your first encounter with a dog. Just as Bootsie was the dog everyone knew and loved, so it was with RD. He was the perfect yellow lab, but your parents were the perfect owners.
We're thinking about you and Kate and helping to count the weeks/days; love to you both!
Dear Chad , Kate, Emmy and Future Baby,
Chad, thank you again for the heartfelt tribute to RD. I awoke early this morning to the first full day without his Prescence. Silence is deafening.For you physics people, we've discovered a perfect vacuum, a house without your dog.It's so sterile. No thumping otter tail to let you know that he's still there. No clicking paws coming down the hall and booming bark to let you know it's time to get up and see what's going on in that big wonderful world. We thought today would be easier and boy were we wrong.
We learned yesterday that we do have a doorbell because for five years he was our doorball. We learned that we can have a floor without dog toys strewn all over it, or a meal without someone waiting to see what's in it for me. Boy, does it suck!
As I look back on the last week, I'm haunted by the look in his eyes. He was in such obvious pain, and he was looking for me to do something for him. I did, and as God is my witness, I had no other choice, but I hate myself for it. His absence has created a profound hole in our world. He was everything you could ask for in a dog , and then some. In regard to RD, we loved wisely and well. May he finally catch that damned woodchuck wherever he is.
Love,
Dad and Mom
Hang in there, Dad. It does get better with time. You'll never really stop listening for him, or looking for him. And, the mental pictures you have of him will still rear up unexpectedly... and, you'll pause. But, the crushing ache will give way to something more bearable, and eventually you'll smile at his memory. My condolences to you and your wife. This is a loss that needs to be properly grieved. And, if you'll permit me, I'll grieve right along with you.
What a wonderful tribute to RD... Having met RD when he visited BOCES, those soulful eyes and that wagging tail will be missed. They say "dogs leave footprints on our hearts" -- so, so true. The loss is almost unbearable for the dog who's no longer with you but will find over time that you are grateful and lucky to have loved them. And how lucky he was to have spent his life with you. So sad they don't live as long as we do...I went home and gave my Charlee a big hug...because you never know. My heartfelt sympathies.
Dear Chad,
We've never met, but I am a friend of your folks and a WP teacher. What a nice tribute to RD. He was one of the best dogs ever, and is very missed, I know. I'm certainly shedding some tears for your mom and dad, but I know in time, it will get more tolerable for them.