This page is dedicated to the memory of our loyal companions.
"Kitty was such a sweetheart and I'm sorry to have lost her.
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EULOGY TO MY GREYHOUND
Rugby 1993 - 2002
Lost a special friend yesterday and I miss him. It may seem odd that I would be sitting here early in the morning writing these thoughts but maybe it is my way to mourn.
Sherry brought Rugby into our lives about 6 years ago after visiting a rescued racing greyhound at the farm of a friend where she boarded her horse. She tracked down the couple that has championed bringing these special dogs into Ontario from the States into this area. Rugby was one of the early arrivals but now; I’m told that over 500 have been adopted since they started this special initiative.
She met with Freddie & Bill Cowan at their small farm and was introduced to several potential adoptees. The one whom she was immediately drawn to was Rugby, a large male in a brindle colour with a wonderful disposition.
As was her way, Sherry brought this idea to my attention after the fact but when Bill delivered Rugby to our home for a trial visit, I easily bought in to the new addition. This was a true adoption process. Bill left him with us for a couple of weeks after an hour’s orientation, then came back to visit our home to determine how Rugby was doing. He was clearly satisfied that Rugby had found a good home but I sense that if he had any misgivings, he would take the dog back with him as they are zealous about ensuring that these wonderful dogs who have been typically mistreated at the Racing Tracks enjoy a loving home. They do such wonderful work to help these dogs find good homes.
We signed the papers, paid an adoption fee, and arranged for Rugby to be neutered - part of the fee and the agreement. We got to know him easily - large, elegant, shy, sensitive, lean, and affectionate. He loved to walk and run but also was the ultimate “couch potato.” Watching him run circles in the large back yard of our country home in St. Agatha with Pooh, our crazy Jack Russell terrier, left everyone howling.
He always wanted to be near Sherry and I - if we were downstairs, he’d sleep on the couch or floor of the living room; if we went upstairs, he’d follow us up the stairs and sleep on Kevin’s bed (unless Kevin was visiting). If I sat on his couch, he’d walk back and forth until I made room for him (a lot of room as he loved to stretch out).
Several separate memories come to mind. When we first brought him home, he wanted to follow us upstairs but had never gone up stairs and was frightened. I’d love to see the video (if there was one) of my alternately pulling him and lifting him (at about 60 gangly lbs) up two flights of stairs. It took a while, but he finally overcame his fear of stairs.
Rolling back just over four years, I vividly remember bring Rugby up to visit Sherry in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Mary’s hospital. Sherry was dying after a 6 years battle with breast cancer. The staff encouraged me to bring the big guy to visit, and I’ll never forget how delighted she was to see him. I lifted him up onto her bed, and he just laid beside her while she rubbed his ears and hugged him.
Being the kind of person she was, Sherry encouraged me to take Rugby around the floor to visit other patients and I was amazed at how they responded to him - including one older gentleman with advanced Alzheimers who was totally uncommunicative. He petted my dog, and rubbed his ears in a way only a pet lover could understand.
She wanted me to find him a home after she was gone as I traveled a lot in my work, but our Doctor, Donna Ward, cautioned her that I should not be losing so much at one time - at that point, I had 2 dogs and 3 cats. I’m glad I could care for them over the time I have. Sherry and I had been married for 32 years and I was really upset for quite a while after her passing. I think those pets helped me with my grief and provided a connection to her.
Rugby had a cute habit, which always made me smile, and our visitors laugh. He had four favourite small cushions (all burgundy for some strange reason) which he carried around the house. Sherry had made three of them. He always had one beside him on the floor, couch or bed. When he visited his favourite kennel, I always took one of his “pillows” and one of his blankets with him. When he left a room, he always grabbed a “Teddy” in his big mouth, and dropped it wherever he settled. If it was the bed or floor, Rugby would inevitable rest his head on it - the portable pillow.
Glen & Shirley Culp run a kennel near Wellesley and this became Rugby’s home away from home whenever I traveled and certainly during Sherry’s illness. This special couple knew Sherry, and were very sensitive to my situation during her final illness and since her passing. I could drop the big guy in any time I needed it for as long as needed, and he had his own reserved room and run, and Glen walked him every day and obviously spoiled him (as if I didn’t). Rugby loved to ride in the car and was just fine about visiting Glen & Shirley though still excited when I picked him up. He was there last weekend, and when I opened my car door, and let him out off lead, he spotted Glen and ran down to greet his friend and strolled into the kennel without much urging. I know that both Glen & Shirley had a special feeling for “Rugs” and I know they will be very sad to learn of his passing. I can’t thank them enough for being such caring friends to my buddy, and myself.
Rugby’s passing was sudden and unexpected. I had noted some minor diarrhea and anticipating an intestinal infection, took him to my Veterinarian, Dr. Michele St. Pierre. She did a routine exam but was concerned about some distension and sensitivity around his abdomen. An X-Ray suggested fluid in that area and Michele used a hollow needle to draw some fluid which turned out to be blood. She thought he might have a damaged or potentially malignant spleen. His lungs were clear so it could be isolated and we can all live without a spleen. She was also candid about the risk of metastatic cancer. She recommended exploratory surgery.
I took Rugby home for a couple of days before scheduling surgery. Some quality time was needed together in case a worst case scenario unfolded. Ironically, he was showing no symptoms or discomfort. I wrote a letter to Michele indicating that if she found significant malignancy, she should put him to sleep. I was hoping for a more positive outcome but would not let him suffer.
Took him in on Wednesday morning after we went for a long walk. Surgery was in the early afternoon, and Michele called to inform me, with regret,that Rugby was bleeding from cancerous nodules on his liver, and there was also involvement in the stomach area. She ended the surgery on my direction and initiated euthanasia.
Michele handled this communication before and after surgery in a most sensitive manner. She was aware of my having lost Sherry to cancer, and knew the pain this loss would cause me. Her thoughtfulness is really appreciated.
This morning I walked the route Rugby and I walked each morning and evening. It was strange and sad to walk alone. Again, I experienced the “hollowness” of loss. I keep thinking he’ll run to the door when I arrive. There are items of his that I want to give to Freddie & Bill at Greyhound Recovery & Adoption to use with new arrivals.
Visiting their farm will be tough. Rugby and I attended a picnic there this summer to raise funds for the cause and there were easily 200 rescued greyhounds and their owners strolling around calmly.
Those who have not owned a dog may not understand how attached we get to them. They offer this unconditional love, and always are happy to see you. I’m not putting down other pets - we miss them too; I’ve have and still have cats. But they are more independent; they do things on their terms. A dog gets very attached to its owner; and it works both ways.
I retired from Manulife two years ago - friends often said that Rugby and I made a good pair; retired racing Greyhound and retired Insurance guy. And since I lost Sherry four years ago, I have really valued his companionship.
But I know he’s gone where good dogs go. And somehow I can picture him laying down in the grass in the sun with a burgundy cushion under his chin, and Sherry sitting by his side.
Rest in peace, big guy. I’ll miss you.
Barry
7 March, 2002