Sad News from Home
It’s been awhile since I’ve written about anything other than the Dayton Hamvention or my extended trip to Tennessee and I’ve got some bad news and just felt like sharing it here — one of my dearest friends has terminal cancer.
My Labrador Retriever, Samson, was recently diagnosed with oral canine melanoma. It’s one of the most aggressive forms of cancer that can afflict a dog. The vet found and removed the tumor in his mouth but it has spread and nothing further can be done for him. From what the vet has said, and what we can gather from information online, another 4-8 months is about the best we can expect until the disease has exacted its final toll.
We got “Sam” when he was a 10 week-old pup in 1999 so if he makes it to mid-July he would be nine years old. The average lifespan for a Lab is 12 years so he’s had a fairly long life and we’ve enjoyed every minute that he has spent with us as a much loved member of our family.
If I had to describe him in a single word it would be, “faithful”. He’s always been ready to go with me wherever I go, on long walks in the woods or for a ride in the car. When we aren’t on the go he can always be found at my feet — as I write these words he’s on the floor under me snoring and probably dreaming about running in a field or taking a swim in a nearby pond. He loves that.
Samson has never been a bit of trouble to us. He was smarter than the average dog and nothing but a pleasure to own. He was easy to train and to care for and until this event he has been healthy as the proverbial horse. In fact, at the moment he seems as vibrant as ever but we know his time is very limited.
The day I have to put him down will be a very, very sad day for me and everyone here. But that’s part of the deal for a pet owner. I’d sooner part with a pile of cash than to know he was suffering or in any pain and so the moment we see some clear sign that his body is failing, I’ll get him to the vet and let his life end peacefully with me holding his head.
It’s the least I can do for one who has never wanted anything more than to be my best friend…
73 de Jeff
May 21st, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Jimmy Stewart said it best in his poem about his dog Beau - or you can see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUNJjIwlHk8
“Beau”
by Jimmy Stewart
He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn’t come at all.
When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.
Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn’t drag.
He’d dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I’d grab him, he’d turn and bite me.
He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn’t read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.
He set the house on fire
But the story’s long to tell.
Suffice it to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.
On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The Old One and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.
He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.
But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the Old One was there
And would follow him where he was bound.
We are early-to-bedders at our house–
I guess I’m the first to retire.
And as I’d leave the room he’d look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.
He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I’d give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I’d fish it out with a smile.
And before very long
He’d tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner
In no time at all.
And there were nights when I’d feel him
Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I’d pat his head.
And there were nights when I’d feel this stare
And I’d wake up and he’d be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I’d feel him sigh
and I think I know the reason why.
He would wake up at night
And he would have this fear
Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he’d be glad to have me near.
And now he’s dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.
And there are nights when I think
I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair,
But he’s not there.
Oh, how I wish that wasn’t so,
I’ll always love a dog named Beau.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:25 am
Hi Jeff,
I’m very sad reading this bad news; I never had a dog but I had many cats during my life. I know perfectly that a cat is not like having a dog but all the times that one of them is dead was always a very sad moment.
Give Samson a caress for me!
73,
IZ1KSW
Gabriele
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:58 am
time, the subtle thief of youth… (and best friends.)
milton may bot have been speaking of dogs in his poem, but ’tis be the will of heaven that we lose those close.
it is amazing how animals get into out hearts. we rescued a dog from the shelter, and i thought i would hate having a dog again (esp. with the two cats) - but this canine has wormed her way into mine.
i am sad for you and samson - jeff. my hope is you and he spend his last days together peacefully and with out pain.
-johnny
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:00 am
Jeff,
What can I say? I have a Brittany (Jesse) who will be 9 years old in August. My father-in-law, before he passed, used to say of Jesse, “This dog doesn’t have a mean bone in his body”. We got Jesse as a pup after we lost our first dog when she got hit by a car. She died in my arms as we were rushing her to the vet. It’s very, very tough - the price we have to pay for loving our pets. But as Garth Brooks sang, “I’m glad I didn’t miss the dance.”. My thoughts are with you and Samson. Take care my friend!
Larry W2LJ
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Feeling for you Jeff. Been there. Still miss them.
73
Steve
K9ZW
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Hi Jeff
Thanks for sharing your true and deep feelings and thoughts. I have been down this path and it is very long and sad. When the day comes you will do the right thing. My thoughts and prayers are for you and your pal Samson.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Jeff, thanks for reminding all of us about the important things in life. Live out in the high desert area of Calif. We have a small Yorkie named Kobe (after the city) we get lots of coyote action at night here. He will always get up on the bed and back up as close as he can to the wife. An bark and bark at the coyotes when he hears them yipping and howling. At first I thought it was because he was scared…no he is protecting his mama. They truly do just want to be your best friend. I am shutting down the computer now and going to go find his ball and take him out back.
Again thanks for the reminder, you and your blog are important to allot of us out here…even if we only peek inside and don’t leave a note.
73
Jim, K6CEF
June 1st, 2008 at 7:54 am
Jeff, It will be a very sad day when it comes, lost our collie/retiever Biggles but he made it to 17 years old, got another rescue dog from Birmingham dogs home here in England called him Beau! before we relocated into North Devon he loves the beach & follows me everywhere like yours. ours thoughts are with you for that sad day keep your chin up & just remember the good times my xyl still crys everyday for old Biggles.
73s Phil G0BVD North Devon England.