A BIT OF CANINE NOSTALGIA: Ricoh passed yesterday at 11:10 AM, two days later than I figured. A full five days without water - he wouldn't touch it, try as I may. He always was a tough little monkey, and was never in pain. As he physically deteriorated, he of course did the loud yelping, which is a cry to predators and scavengers that "come and get me - quickly, please!!" that we've all heard before. And they'd come and oblige.
Yet when I went to him as he yelped six or seven times a day when he didn't understand why he wasn't functioning, I'd simply touch or rub him under the chin or on his neck, and he'd purr like a cat or coo like a dove, and go back to sleep. By yesterday morning, he couldn't even crawl, and only his voicebox worked. I picked him up, held on to him as he purred for about five minutes, nuzzled my hand, and expired.
If he had have been in pain, I would have known. He was simply incapable of understanding why his body no longer responded. As I said last time, no regrets. It was his time. If he had have demonstrated agony, I may have taken him for a ride. But he never did, and I never thought he would. The last week was one of the most inspirational and treasured time of my life. Won't say more - you'll all know. Selected three snapshots to show Ricoh to you, of him in better times.
I'll be leaving for my 4 day Triduum stint in Vanderhoof this coming Tuesday, rather than yesterday as planned. I've got a few things now that I have to take care of, and will probably do a few posts before I leave, catching up on comments as well when I can. Much work to do now, and I'm slower than the ace of spades.
At the Nechako Cutbanks - his favourite walk in PG
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In Vanderhoof, at our two day a week teaching stint at Joe and Thea's where I stayed and they spoiled him while I taught at the studio:
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And finally, en route to Calgary. He was ticked because he wasn't included for a lunch break lol.
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Oh yeah . . . . celebrated his passing with my best cigar. Seemed appropriate.