summer of tears

[KenC]

I hope you will indulge me while I tell a short story about my beloved whippets. If you don't want to read about sadness and the inevitability of life, feel free to skip this post.

Not long ago I introduced myself with a photo of my whippets, Masque (short for Masquerade) - the little white whippet girl, and Breezer, my brindle boy - posing in front of the Calgary skyline.

Shortly before her 14th birthday Masque began to feel poorly, and we had to say goodbye to her on June 5 as the lymphoma was progressing rapidly. That was the hardest day for me in a long time, she was the sweetest little soul. The 3 of us spent many hours over the last decade+ running, playing, biking in the 2700 acre natural grassland park nearby, the memories are plenty and the photos numerous. Breezer and Masque were not a breeding pair, but they were inseparable. When other dogs got overly eager and wanted to chase/play with Masque, who was a little shy, Breezer would put himself between the other dogs and Masque to shield her - he was her knight in shining armour.

A few days before Masque left us, Breezer wasn't eating and seemed to be feeling poorly but the attention was on Masque to keep trying for a recovery (the diagnosis was difficult) so we attributed it to being depressed about Masque. After Masque died, Breezer spent quite a bit of time moping and lying in the front room intently looking at the front door. Obviously he missed his companion deeply. When his appetite didn't return we got concerned and had a blood panel done. The condition was found to be non-regenerative anemia, in other words he was not producing red blood cells and slowly dying of anemia. After many tests and 2 blood transfusion, the cause for the condition was never found, and the condition was not treatable despite trying different regimes.

Yesterday, 6 weeks after Masque passed away, we had to say goodbye to our beloved Breezer, who was only 11 1/2 years old. The night before the dreaded house call from the vet, he staggered to the front door and once again stared at it intently. We knew what he wanted and out of love and duty, amidst many tears, we told him we loved him and to wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge.

Thank you for listening.
Ken

[dc2]

Beautiful dogs and a sad touching story. They really are mans best friend.
I have lost dogs before so you got my full sympathy.

[Shortie]

sad story

My thoughts are with you

Shortie

[camoncrow]

Man that's tough, but we have the good times so they are always with us.

[Stormdancing]

I remember your post. Great shots and great dogs. We become so attached to them. They are like our children.
You have given them as many joys as they have given you. A partnership that does not end with death. You will have fond memories of your beloved pets and the many pictures to look back on.

[hskersr1]

Beautiful dogs and the story was truely a tough one to read. Thank you for sharing

[KenC]

Thank you everyone for your understanding and kind replies. Rather than make this an ongoing sad thread, allow me to tell part 2 of the story and show a couple of photos that will be more upbeat.

The day that little Masque died, I got an email from the dogs' breeder saying there was a lady in Toronto who had one of her boys and couldn't keep him. The dog's name is Bailey, he's actually a great-great grandson of Masque's (for those who believe in coincidence) and will be 2 years old in Oct. and of course I said I would take him. When he arrived that Saturday night, Breezer's tale wagged for the first time in ages, he insisted on leading everyone for a brisk walk around the neighbourhood (it was midnight) and started eating again. They got along very well and engaged in the ongoing leather chew games, etc.

Attached are a photo of the boys together on the bed, and one of Bailey in flight - the pupply's arrival was a blessing for everyone.

Thanks for listening.

Ken

[dc2]

Thats nice
By coincidence his name would not be David Bailey
Click here: http://www.pdngallery.com/legends/bailey/bio.shtml

[Blacklynx]

My thoughts are with you it is incredibly hard to loose those so close to us. They now of course running free again indeed together forever.

thankyou for your story and take care.

[LadyPhotographer]

my deepest sympathes on your loss.