Thursday, April 23, 2015

Goodbye to Tubby My Baby Boy



It pains me to write this since I so don't want it to be true but we had to say goodbye to Tubby.  


What initially seemed to be a urinary infection turned out to be prostate cancer that caused complete blockage of the bladder. This cancer is rare, my vet has seen it only one other time in twenty years. Unlike other prostate problems it happens to neutered dogs like Tubby.  It's very painful so our decision is clear. There were few warning signs, perhaps a little slower walk, until Tuesday when he couldn't pee.  I know I am lucky to have had 14 years, his birthday was March 29, but coming so soon after Norbert this is doubly hard.  The house feels empty even with 4 dogs and I just feel old and sad sad sad. I can say I am so happy to have Weasley and Fry having two young dogs keeps me going.  Months from now I'm sure they'll have a little brother. Maybe named in honor of my Tubby boy, Tubby TNG perhaps  ( a Star Trek reference).    

I can't write a fitting tribute to tubby. He was my first dog, a wedding present, I was 23.  For 14 years he was by my side.   I can't put the love I had for him in words 






From the house dogs grave by Robinson Jeffers, 1941


"You, man and woman, live so long, it is hard 
To think of you ever dying. 
A little dog could get tired, living so long.
....
You were never master, but friends.  I was your friend.  
I loved you well, and was loved. Deep love endures 
To the end and far past the end.  If this is my end, 
I am not lonely, I am not afraid. I am still yours." 


37 comments:

  1. An abundance of sympathy to you both. The poem at the end is a tribute in itself.

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  2. I am so, so sorry to hear you sad news. Sending you lots of luffs and comforting hugs
    Lots of loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  3. I am so sorry Kate. Losing two is such a short time is mind boggling to me. My thoughts are with you as you struggle through.

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  4. dear kate,
    i am so sorry! i am sending you huge hugs.
    Tubby loves you with all of his heart too and will ALWAYS be by your side.
    He is a miracle baby and even showed it in how he said it was time for his next step... by making it so clear, and quick and not drwan out for a long time.
    He does not want you to be frightend for him or worried at all!
    He is safe and feels like super tubby and can see and hear and talk to you all day everyday.

    i love you all and i am always here for you.

    xoxoox
    melissa

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  5. Kate your poem says it all so well, that I need that even try........please feel our hugs to you today and our whispers in your ears. Stella Rose and Momma

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  6. We are so sorry Kate! RIP Tubby... We love you!

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  7. Oh Kate, I am so sad to read this, I know how you must be hurting. Sending you lots of love and hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel, Mabel & mom

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  8. So very, very sorry...... Know that you gave him the most wonderful life and may the coming days be filled with wonderful memories. Run free Tubby... I know you and Norbert are watching over your Mom. <3

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  9. i cried when i read this news this morning. i'm so sorry you lost your boy tubby so suddenly. even after 14 years, we never get enough time with them. thinking of you.

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  10. Oh Tubby! Run free, buddy! Find Bart, he's a good friend!

    -Ruby, Otto and Lisa

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  11. Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry about Tubby. I know you just lost Norbert a few months ago. We send you much love and support across the miles. Run free, sweet Tubby.

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  12. I am so sad to read this. Tubby had the most wonderful life with you and you can see the happiness shining in his eyes.
    Run free little man.
    Hugs, Lynne x

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  13. So sorry you have now lost Tubby, too. Purrs and paw taps of comfort.

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  14. Love and hugs to you at this difficult time. That Tubby was a force to reckon with.
    Love Noodles

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  15. Farewell, adorable little one. May you find joy and peace with loved ones and friends beyond the rainbow ... and may your family find the same in the memories of you.

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  16. I am so very sorry--and it is doubly hard on you and John. Sending you strength and good thoughts during such a difficult time. You've chosen such a cute, uplifting photo of your lovlies.

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  17. Oh my friend, I am so, so sorry. My heart hurts for you and your loss and what you are going through. I know how much you loved and were loved, I hope you find comfort in that. To really hurt, one must have really loved.

    Run fast, run free Tubby.

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  18. We will remember Tubby and all of his pawtracks will remain on our hearts.
    We are sorry,, we know your hearts are hurtiing so bad.
    love
    tweedles

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  19. We are so very sorry to read about your sweet Tubby. While we didn't know him, he was a real cutie pie. We know the love between you both will always remain in your heart!

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  20. We are so very sorry to read about precious Tubby's passing. He was loved to pieces for 14 years and we know he returned that love.
    We send you all hugs
    Madi and Mom

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  21. That makes us so sad. We knew at 14, that the day would come, but it doesn't make it easier. We know he had a wonderful life with you and heaps of love. Hugs to you.

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  22. Keep all the wonderful memories you've built up over the years safe in your heart. They will get you through the hard times. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

    Tubby, run young and pain free at the Bridge.

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  23. I share your heartbreak, but you did express how much you loved Tubby each day through your words and photos. Thank you for sharing him with us. ♥

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  24. We know your hearts are just broken. A empty hole has been left that only Tubby could fill. We are so sorry,, and wish this had not happened.
    You gave Tubby the best home in the world,, and he was happy and he felt safe and loved
    Your unselfish heart made the right decision to not let him hurt,,,but we know it was so painful for you.
    Blogville is circling around you right now,,, with love..
    love
    tweedles.

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  25. Dear Kate...our hearts go out to you today in the loss of your baby boy. We are sending many hugs to you today.

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  26. We're so sorry for the loss of you beloved Tubby. Hope you can find peace and comfort in your memories you had together. Soft Pawkisses and purrayers to comfort you <3

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  27. "Their time is so short, indeed but that does not mean you should not love. In "people" years Barkley was probably sixty something. But they were years condensed down into their core elements as if a simple ordinary succession of days were not enough, as if the love and all of that faithfulness the freedom of the field, and the tug of a leash toward the horizon was compressed down into something as hard and brilliant a a diamond. Everything, every single element of so many long days is there in that short pan of time, compounded into that one leap, one surge, towards the lights of a vehicle in the drive, one joyous bark that contains with it simply "My person is home!". From "The Book of Barkley" by LB Johnson

    I'm so very sorry for your loss LB "Lin" and her senior rescue Abby the Lab in Blogville

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  28. Sending you lots and lots of love from across the pond.
    Freya Rose Blossom X

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  29. My sweet friend, with all my heart, I am truly sorry for your loss. I am of the mind that losing a pet can hurt every bit as much as saying goodbye to a beloved person and it pains me to know you're dealing with this horrible blow again so soon. Please know that I'm thinking of you and sending countless understanding hugs your way.

    ♥ Jessica

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  30. Oh Katherine! I'm so so sorry to hear about your dear boy Tubby! It makes it all the more heart wrenching to know that you just recently lost Norbert. I hope that they are together somewhere having fun, and playing as they used to when they were young. Hopefully one day we will be with them again. I have to believe it myself as I miss my girl Murkurie so so much. With so much love we share with our babies there has to be more than just this life. So sorry for your loss!

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  31. I am sorry you lost your dear little fellow. I hope the love and support you receive from all the kind peeps out there will lighten your load. <3

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  32. Damn. So sorry to hear about this. Take solace in knowing that Tubby led a very long and happy life. And I believe that dogs DO go to heaven.

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  33. Oh, I'm so sorry to see this. Sweet Tubby. Stupid cancer. It always takes the sweetest people and pups. I hope that you'll rememer him with more smiles than tears sooner than you'd think. I'm sure he'd want it that way. (How sweet that he was a wedding present.)

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  34. Oh no! I'm so sorry for your loss of Tubby. It's heartbreaking. You guys must have had so many adventures and shared so much over those 14 wonderful years. We are glad to have been able to hear the stories of Tubby on your blog and gotten to know him through your photos and anecdotes. So glad you found each other and brightened each other's lives. We know he will be missed. We'll be thinking of you and your family. So sad.

    -Love,
    Sid and Brian

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  35. It was terribly sad to hear this news. Losing a beloved animal is beyond awful and I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your lovely puppies are giving you extra cuddles.

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  36. We are behind on blog reading. Such sad news to come back to. Too much loss for you this year already. We are so sorry that you had to let Tubby go. Cancer sucks.

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