Sorry for your loss man. As ready as we think we are, it's never easy. I feel for you.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
View attachment 385153
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:
View attachment 385154
And finally, en route to Calgary. He was ticked because he wasn't included for a lunch break lol.
View attachment 385155
Oh yeah . . . . celebrated his passing with my best cigar. Seemed appropriate.
Well done choosing an awesome pipe.Yes it is! I only buy meerschaum pipes with particularly interesting block quality, for my pipe smoking habits can be rather sporadic and I don’t want to have to wait until I’m 300 to have any color show up. Oh, and 47 grams, however, due to the way it hangs from the mouth to me it is as light as anything. I hope it’ll color up as well as your Tekin in time, which may be one of the most beautifully colored pipes ever shown on this forum IMO.



I life well lived and loved is something to mourn and celebrate. Thank you, Gord, for sharing.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
View attachment 385153
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:
View attachment 385154
And finally, en route to Calgary. He was ticked because he wasn't included for a lunch break lol.
View attachment 385155
Oh yeah . . . . celebrated his passing with my best cigar. Seemed appropriate.
Thank you for sharing the news and memoriesA 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
View attachment 385153
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:
View attachment 385154
And finally, en route to Calgary. He was ticked because he wasn't included for a lunch break lol.
View attachment 385155
Oh yeah . . . . celebrated his passing with my best cigar. Seemed appropriate.
