On 7 June 2021, Gun writes:
BIGBOYHARRY
16 JANUARY 2013 - 7 JUNE 2021
We lost our Gentle Giant BigBoyHarry today.
He started feeling under the weather last week and didn't enjoy his walks;
in fact he sat down and didn't want to move.
However, on Saturday he was fine, eating, drinking, going for a short walk.
Sunday morning he refused his breakfast and it was downhill from there.
I kept a close eye on him in case we needed to go to the emergency but he settled down.
This morning before we left for our vet appointment,
Harry had a huge pee . . . blood. X-rays and ultrasound
were done and the news was very bad:
Hemangiosarcoma with wide-spread tumors into liver
and wherever they got a hold.
We could have taken Harry home and loaded him with painkillers for a few days,
but didn't see whom this would benefit - certainly not our Gentle Giant.
Our walking buddy Terry went with us to say goodbye.
Terry had opened Harry's eyes to the fact that there was a world
of kind people who liked you and wanted to go for walks with you.
Harry came from such an abusive background that he was afraid of his own shadow.
His foster mom in NC did a wonderful job with him,
but the abuse had started so early (he arrived in Rescue at seven months)
and was so severe that there just weren't enough years to rewire his brain,
although he did become much more self-confident.
I haven't mentioned Harry a lot here,
but some of you have followed Harry on my Facebook page.
We went for his six-month checkup with full panel in March
and everything was fine. This was a dog who didn't have a day's illness,
except a nervous system in tatters and a sensitive digestion.
BigBoyHarry never quite got over his anxiety,
but he had times when he looked like he thoroughly enjoyed life!
Here he is walking out on to the deck - he never felt quite confident
out there even though he liked being there, once he was out.
Going through the door was the problem.
He played at our off-leash park, Shaggy Pines,
which he enjoyed immensely. He is there with Callista & Winnie.
BigBoyHarry's famous 'profile' . . .
He liked to sit and watch the neighbors walking past.
Harry had his heart on his sleeve - when he liked somebody, he really showed it!
Here he is with our walking buddy, Terry - Harry ADORED her.
MARE MOORE
in Canada:
Oh Gun, the tears are falling again today, this time for the loss of your gentle giant, Harry. Bless you, though, for giving him all the love and care he so rightly deserved all along!, Sending comforting cyberhugs your way.
MARGIE HIRSH:
So very sorry for your loss of Harry.
JANE DAVIES:
I'm very sorry for your loss, Gun.
BECKY HAWKINS:
My heart goes out to you. I am so very sorry for your loss. His improvement and courage under your care was a beautiful story to follow. May his memories be a blessing.
ANDREA SHAFRAN:
I'm so sorry. Harry had such a great life with you! I'm sure he loved every minute of it. Run free, Sweet Harry... Until we meet again at The Bridge.
LIBBY KARIER:
So very sorry to read this. I hate the "H" word with a passion; it is insidious. You gave him such a good life, I hope those memories bring you peace.
CHRISTA FIORE:
So very sorry about your precious Harry. One of the very hardest days. Hugs.
DEB DelGUIDICE:
I am so sorry to read about BigBoyHarry. At least it was somewhat quick so he didn't suffer a long time. You will see him again with all the fur kids that went before him. Perhaps he will rendezvous with my Ariel up there. I still cry for her and miss her terribly. Sending healing hugs to you knowing they take a piece of our heart with them when they leave us. I feel your loss.
JULIE HERRIDGE:
RIP & RUN FREE BIG BOY HARRY!
PATRICIA YARNOT:
I'm so sorry to hear of BigBoyHarry's passing. I have a Cairn that was abused for four years. It's a tough road to help them cope. What a wonderful life you gave to BigBoyHarry! I'm so sorry for your loss. Run free over the Bridge BigBoyHarry!!
CINDY BIRMINGHAM:
What a handsome boy.
LIZZIE HURTT
in Australia:
That romping in the park pic has 'happy' bursting out of the screen.
RAINBOW BRIDGE
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills
for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine
and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing:
they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.
They all run and play together,
but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver.
Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass,
faster and faster. You have been spotted,
and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face;
your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into those trusting eyes,
so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together . . .
Author Unknown
On 31 August 2021, Gun writes:
Artis - our new family member
Some pictures of our new family member.
We gave him the name 'Artis' which is an old Celtic/Scottish
word for 'Bear'. All our 'dales have had bear names
so why change?
Artis has landed, 25 August
Artis is eight years old and was operated on for a mast cell tumor;
they did not manage to get it all out so we are not certain how long we have -
the operating surgeon guessed two+ years - our vet said
things can progress slowly so we will just keep an eye on possible development.
Winnie & Artis after morning walk, 27 August
At the moment Artis is full of vim and vinegar;
Winnie is delighted to have company again.
She had started to sleep her days away -
and now she sleeps through the night instead as her days are occupied
by checking what Artis is up to.
Artis is wonderfully affectionate and dog-friendly,
and is my Velcro™ dog, so I suspect he lived with a woman in his former life.
We have a very sketchy idea of his former life, but my imagination
can conjure up several scenarios.
Artis and some toys having a rest, 27 August
It was interesting to see how he settled so quickly -
in our bedroom he took a look at all three crates
(he cleaned Winnie's Kong™ she had left behind)
and then he decided to try out BigBoyHarry's crate
he decided it suited him just fine! He goes in and lies there
when I work on the work station in the bedroom -
otherwise he goes upstairs to my office and lies on a dog bed there.
Artis & Winnie watching Jean-Pierre preparing dinner, 27 August
He has visited behind my desk to see what I was up to -
something Harry never did. So far no destructive tendencies . . .
but I have not forgotten the old 'Teddy Principle',
so this might change. More to come as I get to know Artis better.
LIBBY KARIER:
CONGRATULATIONS! This is wonderful news. Artis looks and sounds like a lovely boy. Wishing you a continued smooth integration and a longer time together than any vets give you.
LORI NELSON:
It sounds like a awesome match.
SUE FORRESTER
in Australia:
Looks like the perfect match to me and being somewhat fond of bears, I love his name.
V'LOU OLIVEIRA:
He looks like a fine boy. Glad he's settling in well.
CHUCK RUSK:
Thanks for taking in an older 'dale.
CHRISTA FIORE:
Wonderful! Congrats!
LYNN O'SHAUNNESEY:
Hold him close, Gun! He looks like a sweetie.
LYDIA ROSS:
Lucky Artis! So glad you have a new Aire boy! And WOW . . . Winnie is still going strong! Amazing.
KAT McMAIN:
So happy for you for all of you! And Artis is the happiest!
JACKIE McGUINNESS-PARKER:
How lovely of you to give Artis a home and love. I like the name; it suits him; he is very handsome.
DEB DelGUIDICE:
Congratulations, Gun. Artis is a handsome lucky boy to have you take him in for the last leg of his journey. I hope with your experience, he thrives and outlives all expectations.
LIZZIE HURTT
in Australia:
What great news, Gun - Artis looks thoroughly at home. Fingers crossed for a long stay . . .
MARE MOORE
in Canada:
Congrats, Gun! Bless you for giving Artis a FAB new name, home & sibling, Winnie. Here's to making many happy memories together and also that Artis proves the vets wrong.
Artis
21 August 2013-14 December 2021
On 16 December 2021, Gun writes:
Artis went in for surgery for a growth on his tail.
He had cardiac arrythmia during the surgery,
but they got him out of it with medication.
Later on he went into arrythmia again and scans showed
that his heart was not working properly.
They suspect he had had heart disease for a while and
the surgery just brought him over the line he had straddled.
By 5:30 pm he was gone.
RAINBOW BRIDGE
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills
for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine
and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing:
they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.
They all run and play together,
but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver.
Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass,
faster and faster. You have been spotted,
and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face;
your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into those trusting eyes,
so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together . . .
Author Unknown
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