Saturday 15 March 2014

Saying Goodbye To A Friend!

WOMBAT - 1999-2014


This post may take me a little while to write, but I really want to do it. The time-consuming part will be reaching for tissues from time to time. You see, today we had to make the hard, heart-breaking but necessary decision to take our 15 year old brainless-but-loveable Border Collie, Wombat, for his final trip to the vet. He had been struggling with bad arthritis in his back legs for some time, was deaf and going blind, slept a lot and missed a lot of happenings, but he still seemed to darn cheerful that we put off today's decision. But in the last week, he's been in increasing discomfort and we knew the kindest thing was to let him go to doggy heaven. But oh, it has been so hard today to let him go!

Wombat joined our family about this time of year 15 years ago when we visited a friend who was breeding Border Collies ... she had just one puppy from the litter left needing a home. I said no (we already had a dog at the time) but my soft-hearted Beloved Geek Boy said 'yes' and Wombat came to live with us. I might add here that we didn't name him ... my friend did. Apparently he looked like a fat, furry wombat when he was a day-old puppy. I would have renamed him with something that sounded a little more dignified ... but it wouldn't have suited him! :0)

We were renting a house on a farm at the time Wombat came to live with us and he was definitely GB's dog ... he went to work with GB who was working on a cotton farm and Wombat would spend hours every day running along beside the tractor (he ran for MILES!!) or riding in the back of the ute ... wherever GB was, Wombat was nearby. When most people think of Border Collies, they think of sleek, intelligent, hard-working sheep dogs full of grace, poise and skill. We have always joked that Wombat was hiding behind the door when all of those attributes were handed out, because he has always been a bit of a clumsy goof-ball ... but oh-so-loveable! :0)



He LOVED to chase the ball and play on the beach ...

He loved to swim and chase the splashes and waves were even more fun cos he didn't have to make the splashes himself before he chased them! :0) When we lived on the farm, there was a small dam that he spent hours swimming in, but he really liked to have company. So he would tease our small flock of geese to make them chase him, gradually leading them down to the dam where he would swim while they sunbaked. He hated storms, skateboards and green peas (I swear he licked them clean then spat them out again!) , loved his ears and tummy scratched and he loved when his 'Grandma' visited, cos she spoiled him with scraps and treats when she was cooking. :0)

He was so good natured and loved everyone, that we always joked he was a 'watchdog' ... that he would watch burglars come and he would watch burglars go! :0) But he proved himself to be a true guard dog a few times when we moved into town.

He hadn't moved quickly for quite some months and slept a lot of his days away in the sun or at the back step so we'd trip over him as we went out and let him know something was happening. It was so very hard to say goodbye to him, but we couldn't stand to see him in pain any more. It would have been selfish to let him keep deteriorating as he was. I couldn't face the vet's office, so said a tearful goodbye to him in the backyard ... I think he knew I was distressed, cos he just snuggled in for a cuddle and an ear scratch. GB told me he was fine until he was coming out of the vet's clinic from leaving Wombat behind and saw a Border Collie puppy in the waiting room that looked just like Wombat did 15 years ago when he came into our lives. Even tough guys cry when they lose a friend. But it was sort of a comfort, too, showing the wheel of life turning - as the world lost one lovely Border Collie, another was just starting his life's journey. I hope that little puppy is as well-loved as Wombat!

So ... this is my little tribute to a loyal, funny, loving friend who will be very much missed. There is a vacant bed and an empty dish in our laundry ... and a doggy-shaped hole in our hearts. Goodbye old friend, sleep well and enjoy being a bouncing, energetic puppy again in doggy heaven.



KRIS



23 comments:

Elizabeth said...

That is so sad. We had to do the same with our old cat several years ago. When my husband bought this house (before I came on the scene) one of John's nieces said that "now you have bought a house you have to have a cat"' so, her and her siblings gave John a little ball of fluff, john had her for 19 years and I will never forget the day we took her to the vet for the last time. John held him while the vet gave him the injection, then he brought him home to bury him in his favourite patch in the garden. He spent ages alone with
Toro in the garage and when he came out his face was so red and tears streaming down his face. So, I know how you are both feeling. Love and sympathy to you and your GB.

Marilyn said...

Such a lovely tribute to Wombat, Kris. It is a difficult time isnt it. Thinking of you as you adjust to this change.
Our border collie is just a year or so behind in age, is quite blind and quite deaf, and her back legs are going. I watch her carefully, knowing we have to make that decision too one day soon. I am fearful that the winter may be too much.

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

I am so sorry, Kris. Losing a pet is hard and Wombat was a beautiful friend.
It is almost a year since we had to say goodbye to our two dogs and I still miss them - but the heartache changes into fond memories of all the funny things they did.
Love and hugs to you and your husband.

Maria said...

What a lovely story about your dear furry friend Wombat...
Thinking of GB and you at this sad time.
A hard decision but Wombat is now happy in doggy heaven...
Lots Huge Hugz Maria

Christine said...

I'm so sorry to hear your news. Our pets are our family and tear our hearts out when they have to leave.

Jo in TAS said...

Now I'm bawling, such a beautiful tribute to your furbaby. Big hugs to you and Geek Boy, it's so hard saying good-bye xxx

KimM said...

My heart goes out to you. I understand how you feel. Letting go is so hard, but we all know it's a loving thing we do to help them over to Rainbow's Bridge. Know Wombat will be waiting for you.

When we lost our two girls less than a week apart, I thought my heart would shatter. I found this poem - I hope it is of comfort to you and GB:

"Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you. Twas heaven here with you, I loved you so." Isla Paschl Richardson

Lurline said...

I hope Wombat has found my Angels in Puppy Heaven - they will look after him - lots of big hugs xx

Gari in AL said...

OK, so the tears are still streaming as I tell you how sorry I am that you have had to go through this. We have been there and our hearts have been broken and currently are looking at being there again as our Shih Tzu is on that downward spiral. But oh how worth this pain the years we shared have been. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Melody said...

A beautifully written tribute to a wonderful friend. I'm sure he is in doggy heaven, rest in peace sweet Wombat.

KERYN B said...

Kris sending you and your family an enormous hug at this very sad time. So hard for us to let them go but how lucky he was to have such a kind loving family - I bet he would not change a thing. Xx

Christine M said...

It's always so sad to say goodbye to a special member of the family. We had to make the same decision last September with our beautiful Ginger. It would be nice to think that Wombat is now comparing stitching talk with Ginger up there in Doggy Heaven! Hugs, Christine xx

Michelle Ridgway said...

Oh Khris my heart goes out to you both. It is the hardest journey to make. How wonderful that Wombat found folks to appreciate him fully.
Sending big hugs xxxxxx

Polly said...

Oh, Kris! I am tearing up as I read your post and write this comment. I am so very sorry for your loss! I know you will miss dear Wombat so many times to come. But know you did the right thing by ending his pain and discomfort! He had a wonderful life with a family who loved him and appreciated him for all his goofiness!! He is still with you and is watching you guys from heaven!!

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

My darling girl...what a beatiful tribute to your fur baby,,,huge hugs to you and GB xxxxx

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I remember you sharing with me about Wombat when you visited, Kris...so very clear how much he meant to the two of you.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Love
Jenny
xxxxxxxxxx

Susan In Texas said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sweet Wombat had a wonderful life full of love with you; he'll be sorely missed!

Take care,
Susan in Texas

Brenda said...

Oh Kris, my heart goes out to you and your GB. The absolute hardest task we humans must bear! Wombat knew love, life and laughter, may your joyful memories bring comfort!
Hugs,
Brenda

Narelle said...

Just reading your sad news Kris and in need of tissues. So sorry that the time came for such a hard decision but one that must be made. Our furry companions become a true part of us ... you have written a beautiful tribute to Wombat and he will be forever etched in your memory xx

Judy S. said...

So sorry to hear about Wombat, Kris, and sending lots of hugs your way and to GB, too.

Fiona said...

Oh Kris, I know I am late to say how sorry I am... Such lovely words but I know how heart sore it is ... Big hugz my friend and I'll give you a big squeeze soon...
Hugz

Stina... said...

Oh... So so sorry to read this...our beloved furry friends are so loved,and missed and it hurts... When they have to go ...they love us and we love them with full power...and that's the way it should be...happy your Wombat was a happy dog who had you! Hugs....

FloS said...

I'm sorry Kris ! I read your post only today and I want to tell you that I'm deeply sorry for you… It is so hard to loose a furry friend … Lots of hugs !
Florence

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