The vet says it's time.
He'll be here tomorrow between 12 and 2.
It's not like we didn't know this day was coming. It's been a year since he told us the end was near.
We expected it. We imagined it. We feared it. Some days, I even longed for it.
So what do we do, on a last day that won't stop raining?
Go to some favourite parks.
Sing some Rufatso songs.
Dwell on memories.
Ponder the future.
Eat lots of treats.
Tell him he's a good boy.
Have regrets.
Have a cry.
Have a lamb shank bone.
Take one. long. deep. breath. after. another.
Ask each other if it could wait till the weekend. Or till next week. Or the end of next week.
If it really is true, that it's better to be a week too soon than a day too late.
What else is there left to do really, but say goodbye?
It isn't goodbye -
ReplyDeleteIt's bye fur now -
Not furever...just fur now -
Mom keeps that Uncle Tupelo song khlose to her heart -
Our khandle will be ready -
But listen to him - his tail - his eyes - they will tell you -
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Oh goodness. I am so sorry to hear this. Hugs for all of you tonight!!!
ReplyDeleteJen and the Black Dog Crew
Oh Rufus B. Thumper, how I shall miss you. I only met you a short while ago, and then only in the virtual world, but I am in tears as I read this.
ReplyDeleteGeorgia Little Pea's typist, my thoughts are with you and your family. Bless you for caring for him through his long, long life' bless you for holding him as he passes in his own home. It is one of the hardest things to do, but one of the most loving.
Hugs,
Jean
My thoughts are with your family! Big hugs.
ReplyDeleteMy heart sank this morning reading this... I know it's an eventuality but I secretly wish the day would never come for dear Rufus B Thumper. It's been over a year since I met Rufus in blogville, and he has been in my thoughts a lot lately... this is going to be one long day for me, teary-eyed and with a heavy heart. Please give Rufus a big hug for me, please.... and tell the big guy I'll see him again.
ReplyDeleteLicks, hero
Oh sweetie... sending lots of hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteKnow you are doing the right thing out of love and you will have wonderful memories always. Hugs from all of us.
ReplyDeleteOh..... how so very sad, this has be one of your worst days ever!! Typing through blurry, tear filled eyes, wishing I could make him better for you and ease your pain. You have to have been the worlds, two most caring and loving doggie parents ever. Please be kind and gentle on yourselves. You know your darling Rufus with every fibre of your being and only want the best for him. We love you Rufus and will be with you one day.
ReplyDeleteLicks and hugs from Tara and Sammy, xoxoxoxo
My heart hurts for you! I know it isn't easy, and I know exactly where you are. It's just so darned hard, no matter what you do. He's led a fantastic life with you, and he knows you love him! Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteHe's stood by you. And you'll stand by him. A good dog. And a good family. I think we're all giving our pups a hug tonight in honor of Rufus.
ReplyDeleteOh Rufus. We will miss your furry mass and soulful eyes. How loved you are and how loved you will always be. All my love LBxxx
ReplyDeleteThinking of you guys. Take care. Not too sure what to say. I would think in Buddhist way and see life is like a water bubble at the end of a grass leaf in the morning. Think of good times and you guys done the best possible for Rufus.
ReplyDeleteWell, he'll be in doggie heaven with all the others that have gone that way.
ReplyDeleteKeep him in your heart forever.
Si
We are sorry this day has to come so soon. Our thoughts will be with you and your family. Hold him close.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know what to say. I'm hurting with you even though I don't really know Rufus B Thumper as I only found you guys recently. But I've been where you are quite a few times and it's such a damn hard place to be. We will give our hearts to dogs to shred though and we've got to take the bad with the good. And letting Rufus go isn't all bad as it's good for him, which is no consolation:( I wish I could give you hugs and cry with you but I can't so I'm crying for you ...
ReplyDeleteJersey & I are giving you hugs.
ReplyDeleteI remember coming to see you a while ago in Balmain and stroking beautiful brave Rufus, we may have even managed a walk around the block. He is part of you and CK and you have loved immensely and gained by knowing him. We are sending our love and thoughts. Im & Vinny x o x
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs to you both & to Rufus.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts are with you, X & rgds STeve
PS. Just a thought, when final farewells are finished, when everything is done & what needs to be done is done, maybe you 2 might consider (taking Georgia with you for a dog friendly) weekend away. You'll need a break & some distance may ease things.
I'm so sorry. I know it must be painful for you, but if it helps, think of it as a relief for Rufus rather than a loss for yourself. Your life has been richer because of him. A big hug from me...
ReplyDeleteBing
Good bye Rufus. Kenzo, Viva and me I wish you and your family strength. You are all in our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Bunny's blog. We never had the opportunity to meet Rufus but we can tell he was loved. We will keep you and your family in our prayers and thoughts. Lots of hugs. Sniffs, The HoundDogs
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye, beautiful boy. You will be missed by more than you could ever know.
[sigh] Rufus - you big-hairy-stubborn-comedian - how you make me smile. :) Be free from pain and wishful thinking. Run free, light as a feather. Nap in the sun with a cool belly. Have steak and pigeon. Give pap the finger. Get the cat. Hump as you wish. (I can't think of anything else, but that's quite a good list.) You will be missed by many who've never even met you. What a lucky dog.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts are with you during this difficult night... be strong Georgia's typist and CV, I bet Mr. Piglet would be waiting for Rufus at the rainbow bridge tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time, in Furryland, there lived an out-at-work-human, a stay-at-home-human, and a BIG old dawg named Rufus B (what else) Thumper. They took me in and gave me a lonnnggg name, G Little Pea Ratatatata somethin'-or-other. I'll always be grateful that Mr. B didn't EAT me, he could've. ... And now it's time for last licks (and a bit of liver). I'm glad I'm not going to be alone...
ReplyDeleteWe are newcomers to your blog, so obviously we don't know you, but anyone who has ever faced the end of the journey with a beloved dog could not fail to empathize with the depth of your grief. I have faced that "last day" myself - and it really defies description. Just remind yourself that what you are doing is the last, loving gift you will give Rufus on this earth. It's what all of us deserve - the opportunity to leave this earthly life with our dear ones around us, sending us on our way with a last, gentle, loving touch - and what so few actually experience. We will be thinking of you and your family today.
ReplyDeleteTucker's Mom
MayzieMom here. I'm just so sorry. It's the hardest thing in the world, even when you know it's the right thing. Our thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry that you have to go through this. Our thoughts are with you during this awful time.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry- hugs to you. I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you. I know how hard it is to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteI discovered this wonderful, beautiful, adorable blog on a such a terrible day. The first post I ever read here made me fall in love with Rufus only to realize the bitter reality that awaits him and you. I hope you get all the strength in the world. Dear Rufus, you have has filled 4 hours of my day today when I was trying to read and see as much as possible about you, with many smiles. Thank you and God bless. Juhee
ReplyDeleteIt's always the saddest day, when we say goodbye. I try to balance the sadness by remembering all the happiness my pet (in my case, hamsters) has brought me. Maggie and I will say furry little prayers for Rufus.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that this day has come. Take comfort in knowing that he has had a wonderful life because of you & remember in heaven he will have no more pain. Sending good thoughts your way.....
ReplyDeleteI've just returned from traveling and to say I'm sorry to read this news doesn't begin to express my sympathy.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Los Angeles, I visited the last place that I saw Daley and I while I was there I told him that it was looking like a dashing dog named Rufus B. Thumper would soon be attaining angel status. I know it's been a long while since RBT has been able to really run and it was the same for Daley - I had forgotten what he looked like when he ran. I remember now and often I think of him running, totally unrestrained by physical problems, and it makes my heart feel good. Today, I will tell Daley to be on the lookout for RBT, and Jordan, and to invite them for a good long run.
Your love and your care carried Rufus through this life and it's truly special that he'll feel that love and care surrounding him on his last day with you.
My thoughts will be with you and your family as this day unfolds.
Rufus, I will think of you running and it will make my heart feel good.
-c at ddy.
This must be so hard. We're thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteBig, big hugs coming your way, human and furry. We love you, Rufus!
ReplyDeleteI came here with hope in my heart but half knew the time was nigh, and therefore there is still hope in my heart, as I know you and Rufus have both really loved and better to have loved and lost than never loved at all - not original words, I know and I apologise for plagurism of the one phrase - the other words are mine, and the thoughts. I emphathise so very much with you, and you just have to cry - I would. God bless Rufus, your baby FOREVER and you.xx
ReplyDeleteHi there, I'm a newbie to 'littledogsonlongleashes' and I regret not having stumbled upon your blog earlier so that I could get to know the lovable Rufus a little better.
ReplyDeleteRufus will today, and forever, be a cherished member of your family. May you always find strength, peace, and happiness in your memories of Rufus.
Words don't seem enough at times like this. Just know that we're holding you in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. :( I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better, but I don't know of anything that magically takes the pain away.
ReplyDeleteHi guys, just wanted to say I'm thinking of you all tonight and hope, well, I don't really know what I hope. Anything I write would probably sound trite but anyway, I'm thinking about you.
ReplyDeleteA gentle journey dear one
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for you. Rest assured though, you gave Rufus the best home a dog could have. You gave him a long and happy life. We'll all remember him.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've visited your blog and what a sad time. It sounds like Rufus was such a special boy and had found the home that recognized and loved his special "Rufus-ness." Your post was beautiful and captured that final time so well. My heart breaks for the sadness you feel.
ReplyDeletethinking of you all ... big big hugs.
ReplyDelete-c at ddy.
Just wanted to tell you how sorry I was to read that you had reached the end of your time with Mr. Thumper. You gave him such a good life that was all a dog could want. I hope that is some comfort to you even as I know his loss will leave a big hole in your life.
ReplyDeleteYour writing is so evocative and I'm sure I'm not the only one who will miss reading about Rufus in Georgia's blog.
Give a big hug to everyone you love, and especially Georgia.
That's life, ready or not, here it comes.
ReplyDeleteIt wd be "nicest" if he fell asleep and didn't wake up.
Although I've never seen either of the dogs, your emails & photos over the years, and now the blog are so evocative I feel I've hugged and tugged and petted them both, and been nuzzled in return. I hear them breathe.
Sad with you both, Lin.
Sending prayers and thoughts and luv your way tomorrow. And hugs all the way around.
ReplyDeletewhere the fuck have I been?
ReplyDeletewell, in NZ actually,
I am bawling already.
Just wanted to say I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a family member is so very painful. We just went through this with our 14 year old black lab. My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteJust Ramblin'