Yesterday, our ever loyal friend, protector and companion passed away. We have known since October that he had a tumour that was pressing on his spine. As a result, his back legs would go out on him and he no longer was able to go on the long walks that he loved.
We thought the best way to handle it was to just let Nature take its course. That da Wolf passed away six days after my brother passed, seems cruel. But, sometimes life is just that, cruel and unfair. His name was not da Wolf, his name was Sir (as in, he’s so darn big, people have no choice but to call him Sir).
He started off having a good day yesterday. In the morning he lay under a tree in the backyard. Graham took him for a very short walk, and Sir got quite a few cookies in the afternoon. He lay down on his rug, and had a bad stroke. Graham was in the room when it happened, which is a comforting thing.
We cuddled with him until it was time to call the vet.
We had hoped that Sir would make it home to the Valley, so he could be buried under his favorite tree. That was not meant to be, and so we will bury his ashes under that tree instead. It was one of his favourite places to be, as he could watch both the barnyard and the house from that spot.
We are so grateful that he didn’t pass away while we were in Saskatoon, saying good bye to my brother. We are thankful that we were able to be with him at the end of his life. Sir would have been 13 years old in April and he was half wolf and half malamute.
We will miss him terribly. We simply could not have asked for a better companion – he was one of a kind. Goodbye, friend.
I’m so very, very sorry. What a great loss. Hang on to your precious memories. He was a beauty!
Annie, I am so sorry to hear da Wolf passed. You do have company in your sadness and loneliness, by Bichon passed yesterday too. I understand the feeling of loss and again, I am so sorry!
Darn it is so hard losing a beloved pet… tears are flowing. It must be super hard with losing your brother recently also. I am so sorry.
Hi Annie, I’m sorry about your pup. It sounds like he had a great life with you.
What a beautfiul dog and what great memories you must have of him .
So sorry for your loss – on both counts.
I sympathize. Its strange how it always seems to happen this way. A month after my father passed away, our very special male Main Coone passed away from an unexpected seizure at far too young an age. I was fortunate enough to be there for him in those last moments (although it didn’t feel that way at the time).
Awwwwww, Annie, so sorry to hear this news. He was a good boy.
My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear about the double loss in your life, there are no words that will take away the pain but I am sure you have many happy memories to comfort you in the coming days.
Da Wolf did real well to make it almost 13 – you obviously did a good job of looking after him and I’m glad you were with him at the end.
Oh, Annie, my heart is with you. I am so very sorry for your loss of your dear brother and for the loss of your dear companion and friend, Sir. You are such a remarkable lady to show the side of life that brings such pain with grace and hope. Sending love and prayers of comfort to you Graham. Kari
I just found your website and have been enjoying your writing and envying your lifestyle. However, I don’t envy your loss. It’s so hard to lose an unconditionally loving friend. I hope you have many happy memories of your special friend to get you through this time of grieving. Peace, Sophie
Thank you all for your kind words. We were so fortunate to have him, what a wonderful dog he was!
He worked so hard, running fences, watching over the chickens and pigs, up the porch stairs, down the porch stairs. Always on the job 24/7.
He really started slowing down this last year. We truly knew he had retired from work, when he would see a deer in the yard. Instead of even getting up, let alone chasing it away, he’d just go “meh, whatever”.
He enjoyed his retirement, just like us after a life full of work!
He was fortunate to have you, and you him in your lives. Life isn’t cutting you a break lately, is it. I’m sorry for all you’ve lost, you’ve been through and deal with as a result. ((hugs))
Annie, I am so sorry! It seems unfair that you would lose him, your brother and your aunt all at the same time. I hope this is the last of it for you. Death of our loved ones is the hardest thing we must handle in this life. I know how hard it is. Prayers for you and your family.
I’m truly sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. Our lovable, huge mutt of a rescued dog passed away a few years ago, and I still can’t believe it’s been that long. She was so much a part of our family, and the childhood of my little boys, now in college.
I still look for her at times, around the house. And there are so many wonderful memories.
This must be an especially hard time for you, with a family loss as well. My sincere condolences.
Thank you, I appreciate your comments. It is going to take some time to get used to Sir not being here, that is for sure.
I’m so sorry. It’s a very sad time for you. I can’t imagine what it would be like without Canda. As Tim told you, we are looking for a dog to breed with her, and will let you know if we are successful.
Annie,
Our Malamute/Husky/Wolf is eleven this year. Our big guy, Thunder, is a 110# lap dog and another loyal companion. The breed is just that way, aren’t they?
I am sorry to hear of the sorrows you and your family face, yet I am happy for the many joyous moments you have to carry you through your healing. Such memories are what allowed me to remember a previous family pet we had to put to sleep due to a paralyzed larynx… He, too, loved to take long walks with us, until his body no longer let him…
What a beautiful boy, da Wolf was. He lives on in your hearts…
Thank you both…
Annie, I just got caught up on your blog … I bawled and bawled the other day when I saw from Graham that Sir was gone and now am crying again, I loved that dog so much ….. he was such a great dog …. He will always be remembered with love. So sorry you guys have suffered two losses in such a short time, my heart goes out to you!
Hi Michelle, it has been so hard for us. Coming home was pretty tough, being here without Sir. What an awful way to end an awful week for us. GRaham and I were having a laugh because we remembered when Sir got out of his pen and Cal was running down the street after him. Remember that? It was at the dinner the night before our wedding….
Annie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I wish I had read this earlier. ((HUGS))
Thank you Krystal.