Creek Running North 大自然 Charles’ day

August 15, 2005

Charles’ day

I hope Charles doesn’t mind that I’m moving his comment up from here. I just thought it deserved a bit more prominence. Charles had mentioned in the Zeke health thread that his sweet old dog October was scheduled to be put down today due to a painful inoperable tumor. I thought of Charles today, hoping he was doing well considering it all, but I had no idea.

Chris, I hope I am not hijacking your blog. I want to write something and your blog is so welcoming.

Tober expired peacefully early this evening. We spent much of the weekend feeding him beef and turkey treats. Our vet, who may be the kindest man we know, came to our house. We talked with him about Tober, how the poor old dog only stumbled around restlessly, how the cortisone shots that he taught us to give were wearing off (again), and how Tober’s spirit left some time ago and all that was left was a painful body. He assured us that it was time. He administered a sedative to calm Tober. We petted Tober as the sedative took effect. Then he administered the other dose. We watched our faithful, gentle Tober take his last breath, and as we did so we thought about Tober running through the fields on his way to Dog Heaven. Tober will not be the activities director there, but he will happily bark at the other dogs while running around in circles.

This past Saturday evening we got a call from the orphanage in Colombia from which we adopted our son three years ago. They told us that we have a baby daughter waiting for us in Bogota. We have been waiting for our second child for more than a year — although the timing of the call was a complete shock — and we will travel next week to be presented with her. We like to think Tober had something to do with this on his way out.

[Chris again]

I’m at a loss for words.

Posted by: Chris Clarke

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Pets

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wow.

1
By: Roxanne
on August 15, 2005
at 11:51 PM

I had the baby by myself for a while tonight. Molly was out riding her bike, and I didn’t mind — she needed the break. But Kian was pissed or sad or angry or uncomfortable, and I couldn’t seem to do anything to make him feel better. He kept crying and crying, and I finally reached the point where all I could do was lie down on the bed and hold him.

Then Cody walked in from the other room. He asked for permission — he has a look that says “Is it OK for me to get on the bed?” — and I told him he could. In a second he was right next to us, gazing down at the baby, who was still wailing away. Then he sank down gracefully and looked at me with the calmest eyes in the world.

The thing about dogs is that they teach us how to live; how to be selfless and graceful and engaged, how to offer more with a smile or a nudge than most us could ever even think of giving verbally. Cody didn’t need to subject himself to the baby’s screams, but he did just that, understanding intuitively what was required and offering the exact support I needed.

I’ll never know Tober, or any of the other dogs that have been mentioned here recently, but I’m thankful that they have graced the world with their presence. Perhaps one day we humans will reach the point where we’re worthy of such steadfast and loving companions.

2
By: tost
on August 16, 2005
at 03:32 AM

Good dog, Cody.

3
By: Chris Clarke
on August 16, 2005
at 02:29 PM

sobbing...big, wet, salty...can’t stop...your fault...thanks :_)

4
By: Sara
on August 16, 2005
at 03:45 PM

I’ll never know Tober, or any of the other dogs that have been mentioned here recently, but I’m thankful that they have graced the world with their presence. Perhaps one day we humans will reach the point where we’re worthy of such steadfast and loving companions.

Amen, tost.

5
By: Stephanie
on August 16, 2005
at 04:15 PM