Our beloved 7 year-old Duke was diagnosed with an agressive form of canine bone cancer (an osteosarcoma at his right front ankle joint) in early January of this year. For the time being, he is at home with us and on pain meds to keep him comfortable. His limp gets more noticible every day and he doesn't attempt the stairs much any more. His days of running and frisbee are over. We may have just a few short days left to enjoy his big brown eyes and slobbery puppy kisses. It is obvious that he's aware he's hurting and it breaks my heart.
Would you please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve the inevitable loss of this vital part of our family? I really can't imagine our family without him.
3 comments:
Oh - he is beautiful - and I know will be so missed. I am so sorry to hear of his cancer. We have a two year old boxer and I can't imagine her not being a part of our family. "First-born" definitely describes it.
Mo
Came over from Mo's blog and found your sad post. We are a very doggy family and the loss of our 14 year old dachshund broke all our hearts - my dad couldn't bear to get another dog for over 15 years. I went to visit Lord Byron's home, Newstead Abbey, and was brought to tears when I found a memorial in the grounds with this inscription:
Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferosity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.
This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
BOATSWAIN, a DOG,
who was born in Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead Nov. 18, 1808.
When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
Unknown by Glory, but upheld by Birth,
The sculptor’s art exhausts the pomp of woe,
And storied urns record who rests below.
When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen,
Not what he was, but what he should have been.
But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
Whose honest heart is still his Master’s own,
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
Unhonoured falls, unnoticed all his worth,
Denied in heaven the Soul he held on earth –
While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power –
Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust!
Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy heart deceit!
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
Ye, who perchance behold this simple urn,
Pass on – it honors none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend’s remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one – and here he lies.
Safe journey home, Duke.
Oh Mel, I am so incredibly sorry to hear this. I am definitely keeping you guys in my thoughts and prayers. From one big canine lover to another, Blaze sends all his love to Duke.
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