rushdoggie Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 Its so very very hard to say goodbye, especially to such a good dog. Just two weeks ago, my 12 year old Border Collie Ross started having GI symptoms. It seems he had a hemanginosarcoma in his gut that was partially obstructing his small intestines. He crashed a few days ago, and again on Christmas day, which we spent at the ER vet. It was there we found the tumor. Ross came to me when he was 6 years old. I was his 6th home. He had his quirks as he was not raised as a puppy to be a house dog and was wary of silverware and terrified of cameras throughout much of his life. In his world, other dogs did not existand he spent his life trying to be invisible so no one would bother him...even my Papillons. I never saw him play with any other dog. Inside the house, he was happiest and most relaxed sleeping on my bed, frequently making the trip from the dirt in the backyard to the bed with no stops...we haven't had a nice looking comforter or quilt on the bed for years, just an old Vellux blanket that I didn't care if was decorated with dirty dog feet. Over the years we developed a very strong bond. Ross was with me at the stressful end of my 1st marriage, lived in an apartment with me when I worked 2 jobs to pay the bills, moved to Washington and met and married my wonderful DH. He had to deal with all that instability and change but he did so wonderfully, convincing 2 landlords with his charm and good manners to allow me to have 3 dogs including a "big" one in a rental. In public he was the epitome of good manners and willingness. He was every vet's favorite patient as he was always still and allowed things to happen to him. As one friend said, he was her favorite "lean-to" dog because he would just stand and lean on you so long as you were petting him. He was obsessed with Frisbee and squirrels. He earned a pile of agility titles in AKC, USDAA and NADAC, even though he wasn't the fastest dog out there. We finished his CD together. Like most Border Collies he loved to work. So much so that he would run agility with anyone who asked. As an instructor he was a great dog to "loan" a green handler learning a new move because he knew the moves and would patiently do the work over and over until they got it right, especially if they had string cheese. In addition, he was a very handsome dog, with his beautiful tri-colored face, pointy ears and a flashy body more white than black, and these bright mahogany colored eyes. No one ever believed he was a Border Collie...some people would argue with me about it. Even after I explained I had his original papers and know for a fact they would shake their head and look at me like I was stupid. The last few weeks he had to endure many vet visits and feeling sick, he took it all in stride. Even yesterday he was relaxed and un-scared as our vet put him to sleep...he probably just thought it was another blood test. While its one of the hardest choices to make we knew his lifespan was now measured in days, not weeks and that the end could be painful and scary, so we decided it wasn't the right thing to let that happen. I'm thankful it didn't happen on Christmas Day and that we were able to spend the rest of the weekend in relative peace and comfort. We were right there with him, murmuring sweet nothings about squirrels and cheese as he moved on, holding his sweet head in our hands. DH went out for over an hour in the pouring rain to bury him in our backyard. He's now under the big pine tree with the big squirrel nest that entertained him endlessly since we bought our house. I'm grateful for the other dogs as distractions reminder that life moves forwards. Goodbye Rossy Possy. We'll miss you and your perpetually dirty feet. Drummond Ross CD, AX, AXJ, NAP, NAJP, AD 4/1998-12/2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 I'm so very sorry for your loss. It sounds like when Ross and you met up, it was the perfect match at last and he was a wonderful friend and companion. While I'm sure you would have wanted more time with him, thank goodness you were realistic and chose kindly and lovingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aljones Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog...I am sorry for your loss. Having lost my Kate to a cardiac hemangiosarcoma, I have some idea of how hard it was to make the decision you did yesterday. Rest in peace, Ross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 Run free Ross. You're in good company in the big pasture in the sky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyTDogs Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 Cancer sucks...I'm so sorry. I have been on the other side of what your going thru (as a vet tech at the ER) and I can imagine all you have been through over the last weeks. I hope you can soon replace the sadness with warm happy memories. Ross was a beautiful boy. A quote I read- "Dogs Lives are too short..Their only fault, really." is so very sad and true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnewe2 Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 Beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog. He sounds like such a wonderful spirit, I'm sure he'll find an old cover up in heaven for his dirty feet to lay and wait for you. Run free Ross the sky is yours now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 I'm so sorry Run free Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Ross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody & Duchess Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you and Ross made magic. You took a lost soul and gave him happiness , as he did you. Let your happy memories of him give you peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 Ross was obviously a special dog who had a special person to love him. I lost my Jazz to hemangio...I know how horrible it is. Run free at the bridge Ross... Where To Bury A Dog There are various places within which a dog may be buried. We are thinking now of a setter, whose coat was flame in the sunshine, and who, so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or an unworthy thought. This setter is buried beneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and at its proper season the cherry strews petals on the green lawn of his grave. Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a good dog. Beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or gnawed at a flavorous bone, or lifted head to challenge some strange intruder. These are good places, in life or in death. Yet it is a small matter, and it touches sentiment more than anything else. For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where that dog sleeps at long and at last. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land, where most exhilarating cattle graze. It is all one to the dog, and all one to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing lost -- if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a dog. One place that is best of all. If you bury him in this spot, the secret of which you must already have, he will come to you when you call -- come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel they should not growl at him, nor resent his coming, for he is yours and he belongs there. People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no whimper pitched too fine for mere audition, people who may never really have had a dog. Smile at them then, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing. The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryP Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 I'm so sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 My deepest sympathies for your loss. Ross was very lucky to have found you for his forever home. I'm glad you were able to have the Christmas weekend together before he left for the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 I'm sorry for your loss. The words aren't quite enough to mend your hearts, but I hope they help. Ross was a beautiful fellow, I'm glad you had him and he had you. Ruth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 What a handsome, special boy! I'm so sorry for your loss. Run free, Ross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 I lost a treasured friend today, The little dog who used to lay His gentle head upon my knee And share his silent thoughts with me... He'll come no longer to my call, Retrieve no more his favorite ball; A voice far greater than my own Has called him to His golden throne. Although my eyes are filled with tears, I thank Him for the happy years He let him spend down here with me And for his love and loyalty. When it is time for me to go And join him there, this much I know... I shall not fear the transient dark For he will greet me with his bark. ~ Author Unknown Vaya con Dios, Ross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach BCs Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 So very sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc4ever Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 I'm so sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet_ceana Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 I am so sorry for your loss. Run free sweet boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin's person Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 Ross sounds like a special guy. So sorry for your loss of him. Godspeed, Ross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleS. Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 So sorry for you loss. Run free sweet Ross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 I am very, very sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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