R.I.P. Wilson

[JDupuis]

As some of you may know, I have had a travel buddy with me for the last 16 and a half years. Wilson.
He was a blonde cockapoo with a I'll go anywhere you go attitude. For the past year and a half he had been in a wheelchair, as his back legs had failed him. His eyesight also diminished in the last few months, but his hearing? Well he also lost that about 4 years ago. But, fire up the lawn mower, the atv, mini bike, snowmobile, antique car, and he was good to go. As he rode on the snowmobile, his paws on the handle bars, he would keep hitting the kill switch. I had to adapt to his driving techniques with all my toys. The fuel tank of the atv is scuffed up from his paws jumping into his special carrier that I had adapted for him. He even rode the bicycle with me.
He got to enjoy camping with the Model A last summer, plus a truck ride with me to Prince Edward Island. I became his full time custodian for the last year and a half, which has kept me house bound last winter, as well as this winter.
I had to make a decision just 2 weeks ago, to put my travel mate to rest. I still well up, as I write this. But I know many of you here are also animal lovers and will understand the loss of a beloved pet.
I miss him, but am learning to sleep through the night again. He usually had me up at night so he (and I) could have pee in the back yard.
We still have another dog in our lives, who is a rescue. Sammie, will take Wilson's place on some of my adventures, but it won't be the same. She and I will create our own memories, that I am sure of. I certainly hope she likes cruise nights.
Rest In Peace Wilson...I miss you already.
Jeff

[JDupuis]

[BNCHIEF]

I have felt your pain many times, I have had trained german shepherds my whole life in the military as well as everyday here at home, Bronson goes with me everywhere so I understand. I have never had two alike and they have personalties all their own. cherish the great memories my idea of heaven is getting to see them all some day.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

So sorry, Jeff,
It's like losing a kid, been there, done that, 4 times.
Bill W. & Buster T.

[JDupuis]

Hey Bill, Give Buster T an extra cookie for me.
BNCHIEF, Thanks, also hug Bronson for me.
Thanks guys.

[GoldstandardX]

Jeff,

Thanks for sharing Wilson's story. Losing anyone is always difficult yet, it becomes that much more challenging when it is your best friend. I have always loved dogs sometimes more than people, and the unconditional love is one of the best aspects. It may be difficult to look over and see the seat empty. However, I am sure you gave Wilson a great life, and in return, he provided you all the endearing qualities that you've shared. Hopefully, the pic of Bruno brightens your day.

IMG_4446.PNG

[JDupuis]

GoldStandardX, Thank you. Your picture of Bruno, does tug at the heartstrings. A forklift, is one of the few pieces of machinery that Wilson didn't get to ride on. Your Bruno looks very much at home there. Thanks for sharing. Jeff

[copgib]

Jeff I know exactly how you feel. When I was a Deputy in the Florida Keys we owned a dog that did everything with us. He was part of the family. One night when we let him out to pee he must have come in contact with a poison frog. They have them down there. For an animal, just getting the frogs juice on them is dangerous. When my dog didn't come back into the house I look for her and found her walking around in circles in the back yard. Blind, confused ect. She died in my wife's arms the next day while I was working. That had to be one of the hardest times to deal with, we still miss her alot. So thanks for sharing. The memories never die! Hugh

[JDupuis]

Thanks for sharing Hugh. That must have been very hard for your family.
We don't have poison frogs here. But we do have skunks.
Our dog before Wilson, was named Beauty, she was sprayed at least 6 times by skunks in the 15 years she was with us. And always during the night.

[Grit Kid]

Jeff....I lost my little girl a year ago last Christmas, the 23rd. I couldn't decorate this past Christmas remembering last year but she was a puppy mill dog rescue when I got her at 8 yr old and she almost made it to 16 and she went the way I was hoping for, in my arms. I have her ashes that will be mixed with mine so I know exactly what you're going through. She will not be replaced because there can never be another Polly. This house has hasn't been the same since...........

All my best to you..........

Ed

[Grit Kid]

BTW, her pillow is now in the bag that is strapped to my luggage rack on Sarah and the key chain has all her dog tags from her first year to her last. She is with me when I'm out and about.

[JDupuis]

Thank You Ed. I am sorry for your loss as well.
I don't know what we'll do with Wilson's ashes yet. It will be fitting when we make that decision.
I had to hide Wilson's bed, as seeing it on the floor beside my side of the bed, is hard to accept.

[Grit Kid]

I understand exactly.....she was always here next to me when I was at the computer. She loved her pillows and was very protective of them. Probably because for her first 8 years she had no pillows, just a wire cage.

[BudP]

So sorry, Jeff. Kahlua, pictured below, was my rescue. One day last August she was off her feed: I took her to the vet who said she had cancer. Was going to bring her in for exploratory surgery the next day. Took this picture when we got home from the vet. She just doesn't look sick in the picture. Yet that night within three hours she died with me holding her head. She is the fourth dog I have lost in the last 40 years: it's never easy. Time heals.

[JDupuis]

Thank You BudP.
Kahlua was a beautiful friend. So sorry for your loss. Jeff

[Mitch]

Jeff I am sorry for your loss, but take comfort in that you gave Wilson a great life.

[JDupuis]

Thanks Mitch.
The VFF has become my haven. I truly appreciate your condolences, and your hard work to make this forum a sanctuary and a safe place to escape to. Thanks again.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Mr. Dupuis,

One (1) Senior Opinion. (Why?)

1. My sincere sympathy to your loving family. Dogs are so very precious. And, who really knows the spiritual locations of the loving Spirits that have departed the Created physical bodies on this one planet called earth?

2. Appears all religious ministers today recommend and conduct money collections.

3. Also, we hear Ministers stress that charity removes a multitude of sins; however, Ministers do not want human charity rendered in sweet potatoes, they always want charity in Gold or Cash.

4. Cash or Gold comes from humans and not dogs; however, seems if dogs started earning and donating Cash tomorrow, Real Estate promised in Heaven by Ministers may immediately be for both humans and dogs.

5. No cash is placed in a human coffin or grave, because we hear God is about Love and is not about money; give your Cash donations and make your will out to the Church Minister ..... no sweet potatoes please!

6. Now, we hear God is all about rewarding loving, innocent beings, and does not want Gold or Cash; then why wouldn't God love, hug, and reward the Spirit of little loving Wilson after he departed?

7. Also, Saint Francis thought dogs went to Heaven; like Jesus, Saint Francis had taken the vow of poverty; and in my opinion, Saint Francis probably would have preferred to receive sweet potatoes in lieu of cash to feed the birds, deer, horses and cows. Remember God wanted all of His frail creatures on the Ark .... not just humans.

8. Just sincerely hope you and your family experience solace after your serious loss.

[JDupuis]

Merci. Henri.

[Twiss58]

Sorry about the loss of Wilson Jeff. Although not the same, Sammie will help fill that void.

[JDupuis]

Thanks Steve. Hug Stirling for me.

[SeaSlugs]

Its always hard to loose a pet, I even got attached to one of my chiclid fish who had his own personality and favorite people and animals. Got to be about 8" long, was a black and white bumblebee variety and if he was mad would turn himself nearly jet back, if you spooked him or he was scared he would turn white and hide. Loved one of our cats and they would be nose to nose thru the glass for hours staring at each other peacefully- the other cat it would hide from it as it was curious one day and broke the top and fell in...fish never forgot. If you sat next to his tank he would be there staring at you but only me or my dad he would be calm - everyone else he would be fins flared and black. Would scoop up all the gravel and spit it at the other half of the tank for no apparent reason (30 gal tank and ALL the gravel from half was mounded in the other half) and unbury his plants. He would let you bury them again but would nip your fingers if he didnt like where you were putting them. Tried to have tank mates. After several murders i got a catfish. As soon as i put the bag in the tank he tried to push the bag out. After getting barbed in the mouth by the catfish a dozen times he finally stopped trying to hurt it. Catfish was one fish that would go in a sunken piece of 4" PVC tube and sleep upside down. Nocturnal creature so everyone thought he was dead when they saw him. Had 2 snails that the chiclid successfully murdered. Kept biting at them but eventually figured out he could bury them in the gravel instead. Every christmas id get him 4 or 5 of those ghost shrimp things as a treat and he loved them. If you forgot to feed him he would scoop up rocks and spit them at the filter tube and jam up the filter making ungodly noises.

Weve always had cats growing up and always strays off our own porch. Ours always seem to have a peronality like no others. One we have now is the loudest most vocal cat ive ever been around haha.Our other who passed away after 17 years the last year or two we think he got dimensia - would roam around the house at 5-6 am crying untill you yelled his name then was fine all day. Ive always loved dogs too and someday when i get a house i want a german sheppard or aussie or collie (or mix of them). I borrow my friends 2 aussies and go hiking and wading thru the creeks and carrides.

No mater the creature they may only be a small part of our lives but we were their entire life to them.

[JDupuis]

Thanks SeaSlugs.
Your heartfelt and touching story, is very enlightening. I never knew fish could have a personality like that.
I have a ferral cat that that I've been feeding this winter. Can't get close as she is quite skiddish. But I'll watch over her, just the same. Jeff

[H. L. Chauvin]

Mr. Dupuis,

Might add, in trying to help, that in my opinion, regardless of all positive and/or negative ecclesiastical human opinions on who goes to a Hereafter today, (even after the latest positive Papal Franciscan type message) ........ when coupled with repeated often heard "Infinite Love", there appears no reason why "Infinite Love" cannot include your later experiencing Wilson's wonderful trust in you again, and your being able to give him a big hug after he runs across that beautiful green pasture to greet you.

My Model A owner vote, like that of today's Pope, is that Wilson, (and many others like him), are patiently waiting for us .... even though they did not put anything in the "other" negative minded ministers' collection plates!

Peace!

[SeaSlugs]

Its always hard to loose a pet, I even got attached to one of my chiclid fish who had his own personality and favorite people and animals. Got to be about 8" long, was a black and white bumblebee variety and if he was mad would turn himself nearly jet back, if you spooked him or he was scared he would turn white and hide. Loved one of our cats and they would be nose to nose thru the glass for hours staring at each other peacefully- the other cat it would hide from it as it was curious one day and broke the top and fell in...fish never forgot. If you sat next to his tank he would be there staring at you but only me or my dad he would be calm - everyone else he would be fins flared and black. Would scoop up all the gravel and spit it at the other half of the tank for no apparent reason (30 gal tank and ALL the gravel from half was mounded in the other half) and unbury his plants. He would let you bury them again but would nip your fingers if he didnt like where you were putting them. Tried to have tank mates. After several murders i got a catfish. As soon as i put the bag in the tank he tried to push the bag out. After getting barbed in the mouth by the catfish a dozen times he finally stopped trying to hurt it. Catfish was one fish that would go in a sunken piece of 4" PVC tube and sleep upside down. Nocturnal creature so everyone thought he was dead when they saw him. Had 2 snails that the chiclid successfully murdered. Kept biting at them but eventually figured out he could bury them in the gravel instead. Every christmas id get him 4 or 5 of those ghost shrimp things as a treat and he loved them. If you forgot to feed him he would scoop up rocks and spit them at the filter tube and jam up the filter making ungodly noises.

Weve always had cats growing up and always strays off our own porch. Ours always seem to have a peronality like no others. One we have now is the loudest most vocal cat ive ever been around haha.Our other who passed away after 17 years the last year or two we think he got dimensia - would roam around the house at 5-6 am crying untill you yelled his name then was fine all day. Ive always loved dogs too and someday when i get a house i want a german sheppard or aussie or collie (or mix of them). I borrow my friends 2 aussies and go hiking and wading thru the creeks and carrides.

No mater the creature they may only be a small part of our lives but we were their entire life to them.

cats will eventually warm up to you - if you can get within about 3 feet sit down on the lowest level to them (they like to feel superior on a height level) and hold a piece of lunchmeat out with your hand - they will come get it eventually haha. Dont try to pet them just let them sniff you and get your scent. Eventually they will allow you to touch them. We got an old doghouse for free and put a 60w light bulb inside for warmth. Cats would go inside at night and stay warm all winter. Never had a mouse chipmunk or squirrel problem when they were around.

Yea some fish have personalities - mine used to be behind my bedroom door and at night my dad would be in the living room watching tv with the lights off. The fish would be in the corner staring at him thru the crack between the door and frame haha. I told my dad and he locked eyes and slowly walked towards him as he got closer the fish started flaring its fins holding his ground. Now goldfish? ehh thier thoughts are more like food food food, is this food?, probably not food, and food food food haha. Oscar fish usually have an interesting personality as well. One of the bass pros we were in i was just admiring the huge tank of native fish. The feeder guy was just about to feed them and said to watch this one white perch. As soon as he opened part of the lid the fish swam right up and he could pet it like a dog and would keep coming back for more. He would push him away and the fish would come right back into his hand. I like pretty much all critters.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Many earthly creations have complicated electronics, permanently lubricated moving mechanical joints, blood pumps, oxygen sensors, sensitive brains, completely functioning with no batteries, all of which humans cannot mechanically reproduce.

Then, beyond our earth & solar system are other solar systems & planets in all directions which stretch out light years away forever and ever ...... infinity? ..... very deep subjects!

[JDupuis]

Well a full year has passed since Wilson's passing.
Time has helped heal this feeling of grief. We also have another dog in the family, that got to share 4 years in our home with Wilson as well.
Sammie and Wilson shared the same food dish all the time they were together. If the bowl was empty, I filled it.
Since Wilson's passing, Sammie only eats her share of the food.
She always leaves Wison's half. A year later, this is how the food dish looks after Sammie is done.
Jeff

[Mitch]

Wow I can't believe a year has passed us by from this original posting. Wilson was a good loyal family member

[Bobm90]

Sammie is a great dog, she knows Wilson is present and wants to leave him a share in case he needs it, no such thing as a "dumb" animal.