Saturday night we, unexpectedly, had to say goodbye to our handsome boy, Decatur. When we returned home in the afternoon from taking my sister and niece to the airport, Decatur was lying in his bed, awake, but unresponsive to us. After about an hour of pleading and coaxing, trying to get him to sit up or show any sort of normal behavior, Jon finally took him to the emergency vet where, after a lots of tests, learned that Decatur had blood vessel cancer. In the short span of the afternoon, his spleen has ruptured and he was bleeding internally, absolutely draining him of any of the life that he was so full of. Our last moments with him were absolutely excruciating as we tried to reassure him with lots of love and comforting phrases he knows so well, while feeling like our own hearts were breaking. As I took the kids out of the room, I said to him the words that I've used every single time I've left him to run errands, or whatever, during the day: "You wait, Decatur, Mommy will come back."
We bought Decatur as a 2 month old puppy in 1998, having wanted a Weimaraner since falling in love with the breed having seen one on Decatur Island in the San Juans. Our hope was that he would be good with the children we planned for our future, and he was. Oh, sure, in his 100 lb dog way, he occasionally bumped into one of the kids, but he had a very gentle disposition and tolerated whatever they threw his way. He tolerated us too. We thank God for you, Decatur.
We bought Decatur as a 2 month old puppy in 1998, having wanted a Weimaraner since falling in love with the breed having seen one on Decatur Island in the San Juans. Our hope was that he would be good with the children we planned for our future, and he was. Oh, sure, in his 100 lb dog way, he occasionally bumped into one of the kids, but he had a very gentle disposition and tolerated whatever they threw his way. He tolerated us too. We thank God for you, Decatur.
He loved this little girl from the moment he laid eyes on her. The day we brought her home from the hospital, he trotted right over to her infant car seat and placed his beloved stuffed animal right in her lap and sat waiting, wagging his tail. As if to say, "it's about time you got here!"
We made him put up with several other pets along the way, and he rolled with all of the punches. He was our Decatur, Mr. Handsome, and Sweet K.
Havalah loved to sit and read the Bible to him.
He was the boy who literally wore his (white) heart, right on his chest. How we are going to miss this velvety soft chest and sweet soft face.
In our last moments, he couldn't even lift his head, but oh, did he try. Such a loyal and strong boy.
saying goodbye...
DecaturMarch 4 1998- April 3 2010
You have filled up our hearts, all these years and we will love you forever Sweet K.
***I'm planning on uploading more photos of Decatur on my Flickr account, as well, as things comes to mind that I'd like to record about Decatur, I will be updating this post.***
14 comments:
Oh, Kristen, I'm so sorry to read this today. He sounds like a wonderful dog and part of the family. I know your heart aches for him. We lost our sweet cat in 2006 in much the same unexpected way. I hope your memories bring you much comfort. A hug and a prayer to you.
What a beautiful boy he is. I'm crying for you and your loss and praying for comfort for your family.
The blog brought more tears to my cheeks. He was such a gift from God. He had a noble spirit and had a gentle heart. He always wanted to be seen, his intelligence and his enjoyment of life and desire for fairness. Such a look he could give you! I can't help but smile when I think of him. The tears will stop in time but the smiles will last. He was a pleasure to know. Whenever you see another person walking a "Blue" Weimeraner, Decatur will playfully jump, in your heart, and you will share your memories of him. He will ever be nearby.. ~N
Such a dramatic, post, I know! Thank you all for your sweet, sweet words. ♥ I am really missing his presence today...I guess I didn't realize what a hold he had on my heart.
Oh I'm so sorry! I remember when you got Decatur, how excited you were. He was your first baby. Sending a hug your way dear friend!
What a beautiful boy and a sad loss. I am sorry you had to say goodbye.
Oh Kristen, I sit here, tears streaming down my face as my heart aches for you and Jon and your sweet children tonight! I'm so sorry to hear this. There's nothing like the love of a dog...I'll leave you with words a friend left for me when we lost Woody..."I've lost many dogs, but the good times always outweigh the single painful one."
Oh Kristen, I am so sorry. We are crying here too...those pictures are so precious. Bless you and your sweet H's today, friend!
So sad for you. As we have quickly learned, pets become a very big part of the family. Hoping the memories are comforting to you.
Kristen, I am so so sorry. Tears coming down right now, heatache too, seeing what a wonderful part of the family he was. I hope your family is healing OK. So hard for young ones to understand. Thinking of you and your family.
lisa
Blessings to all of you~
I'm so sorry for your loss. We said goodbye to our dog last summer and it was really hard. We still miss him of course. Thank goodness for memories and photos!
Precious friend, I am so sorry. My heart is so broken for you.
As I read your entry I cannot help but weep with you for you and your loss.
He sounds like he was perfectly wonderful. What a BEAUTIFUL dog too!
Thanks for sharing the pictures, especially the ones of you with him at the end. I feel like I was in the room with you.
I am so, so sorry.
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