Just wanted my friends and followers to know I am going to be sporadic at best for a bit. 2014 has not started well in health in our household. My own situation and now we have just learned our cherished, beloved seven year old bullmastiff, Huckleberry Howard (aka Huckie Baba) is going to be crossing over to the Rainbow Bridge in the next few days. His lungs are full of cancer. We are shocked, devastated and gobsmacked beyond belief. He is the healthy one. The happy, gigantic, greets the world and everyone he meets with joy, one. Our 'once in a lifetime' dog. This photo was taken last Sunday - just before we watched the Super Bowl. He was chasing Rhoda and catching cookies. Happy. Healthy. A few nights ago he vomited, and then was fine the next day. The following night he ate dinner as normal but woke us up at 1am to go out. In and out all night and a bit restless. We thought he had eaten something that disagreed - he has some food allergies. At 6am in the morning he collapsed. We got him into the truck and rushed to the emergency clinic - over an hour away, What we learned there, after x-rays, MRI and lab work was that he has a primary tumor of unknown origin meaning they couldn't find a tumor - but his lungs are filled with nodules and his liver enzymes are so high the lab couldn't get an exact reading - it was higher than what they normally screen to. He rallied at the clinic and we decided to bring him home to spoil and love and will have a local mobile vet come in this week to euthanize him. Last night I boiled a batch of lean beef and skimmed the fat off and have cooked some sweet potatoes for him. He likes it and has enjoyed his walk in the snow, and sniffing around. You wouldn't know to look at him with his healthy glossy coat, not a grey hair in sight, that he is so gravely ill.
I will catch up when I am able. Sorry for the sad posting but I wanted my friends/followers to know I hadn't abandoned the project - just need to spend some family time.
Hi Jan. So, so sorry to hear your news. Shots really don't matter much at times like this but it is so sad to know that you are going to lose this amazing fellow - Huckie Baba x
Ugh! I have tears streaming down my face! I am so sorry for your situation! I had a similar one five years ago and I literally said some of the same things...how could he have cancer (lymphatic)...look how healthy he is! He was our once in a lifetime dog as well!! I LOVE all my animals with all my heart, but he was different...an old soul! He came into our lives when we needed him most! My heart breaks for you! You will be in my thoughts and prayers!
@luvmynynix - thanks so much for your kind words, Laurie - Huckie is the same way - an old soul. He loves little kids, and older people and everyone in between. When he was two we were at a farmers market with him when suddenly a very elderly man fell to his knees and threw his arms around Huckies next and started weeping. His son (a fellow in his later 30's) and grandkids were a bit embarrassed. Huckie stood there wagging his tail, perfectly fine. Apparently when the older fellow was a lad he had a bullmastiff that was identical to Huckie. It was so touching. We are the same as you - we get deeply attached to our pets. Huckie has so many people who love him I have over 70 comments on my Facebook page from friends. Everyone who knows us is shocked. My other bullmastiff, Rhoda, who is five, is the one with health issues. Huckies visits to the vet clinic besides his routine check ups have been with Rhoda just to tag along.
I am so so sorry to hear this news, it's heartbreaking I know, been in the same situation as you.....poor Huckie and poor you. Sending lots of love and cherish the next few days you have together xx
@macromover@byrdlip@twistergirl@cindy_k@mzzhope - thank you all for your kind words - they are deeply appreciated. People who love animals understand how hard this us. Huckie never heard a harsh word in his life. Only in mock firmness when he was a stubborn puppy and I was reprimanding him while trying not to laugh. He was always so good, even though he had to repeat his intermediate training class three times. He always wanted to play vs focusing on learning to come or sit. He did get trained, and even got his CGC - Canine Good Citizen - certification.
Dear Jan, I can't believe what I am reading. Huckie looks so healthy. I am so, so sorry you and Huckie are going through this. I have grown up with dogs and pets and it is completely devastating to lose them. Thinking of you and your family at such a difficult time. He is clearly a beloved and cherished part of your family. Sending lots of love and sincere wishes. Take care x
@jankoos OMG that must really have been such a shock then...I am worried then about how she will take this...my little one was devastated when Harley died. We got our current boxer mix soon after to help her heal as well as ourselves! It would be impossible for any dog to take his place, and even though I was leery about it, it ended up being a very good thing! There are just no words...it is such a painful experience...I might add that my mom died unexpectedly two days after he passed!! It was a truly devastating time in my life!
@luvmynynix - Laurie - we had called ahead to the vet clinic to let them know we were coming in with an emergency and the vets too thought the receptionist had pulled Huckie's chart vs Rhoda's in error. We have had several emergency trips with Rhoda over the years but never Huckie. We have lost all our mastiffs to cancer. We love the giant breeds, and because we live in such a remote place and my hubby often has to travel for his job, they also give a feeling of security. I have always felt safe here alone with Huckie watching out. There was a creepy guy in our driveway a couple of years ago and his hackles went up - it was enough for the person to leave. Funny how they seem to know when people don't have good intentions.
My heart is breaking for you! He is a member of your family and the pain of impending loss must be excruciating! You have great courage to do what must be done to keep him from suffering any more than he already has. Thanks for letting us know. Take all the time you need.
How devastating for everyone in the family! Nice to know that HH won't have any idea - dogs just cope with whatever happens. Unless you are in tears and he would then get upset with you! Thanks for sharing!
Jan, I'm sorry to hear to hear about your boy. We've been through the loss of two of our animals in the past few months- both age related but still difficult. I grew up with a St. Bernard and have always loved the giant breeds. Sadly they don't live as long as other dogs. But finding out as you have that they have advanced cancer is a huge shock. Take care and love him well for the rest of your time with him. And know that you will be doing what is best for him even though it is incredibly painful for you.
My heart goes out to you. Remember to think of all the goodness your wonderful friend has brought to your life. Thank you for sharing this most difficult news, and thank you for showing us this beautiful photo of Huckleberry Howard.
"Being human is most likely a much lonelier endeavor than being a dog. Of course, many dogs spend a great deal of their time in solitude, waiting for someone to come home, for the world to begin again–but they live in a state of connectedness, it seems, that we have lost, if indeed we ever possessed it. Is that why we turn to them, they who are always ready to receive, to join in wholeheartedly, as we so often cannot? To be human is to be a watcher; sometimes even at our moments of great joy or great grief there is a part of us conscious of our being, observing that being. I do not think dogs have such a part; they are all right here, involved in whatever it is, and therefore they are a sort of cure for our great, abiding loneliness. A temporary cure, but a real one." -- Mark Doty, from Dog Years
Oh, Jan, I am so, so sorry to hear about your dear, sweet Huckie. I totally understand you taking time to be with him and to process this in your heart and mind. You are doing what is best for him and the best you can for him. We lost our Springer Spaniel almost 10 years ago and have not gotten another dog because we did not want to go through the pain of losing another. I am happy that you have other animals to help you through this loss. My heart goes out to you, take care and take the time you need.
Dear Jan, I'm so very, very sorry about Huckie. It must have been such a shock for you, with Huckie so apparently healthy. The one down side to having companion animals is that their lives are so much shorter than ours, but it seems Huckie's life is being cut short much too early. He has such a sweet face, and I love that brindled coat, if that's the right word for it. But I think, when the end of an animal's life is near, the most important thing is to prevent suffering if we can, and you are doing that. I've been through a number of cat euthanasias over the years. After one of them, I remember my Chief Librarian, an animal lover, emailed me that "it is the last, best gift we can give them". It's so hard for us, but at least we know we are doing the best we can for the animal. You and Huckie and your family will be in my thoughts.
What a very sad situation, we are big dog lovers, and lost our family chocolate Labrador to cancer last year so I can appreciate what you are going through. Our thoughts are with you, and at least he hasn't been suffering.
My Teamorra was 18 last February, a year ago. She fell ill 2 years ago with a liver disease that continued to progress and was debilitating. She would sometimes just wander the house with a blank look in her eyes. Her quality of life grew worse and worse. She would have accidents in the house, sometimes many per day. We would walk her and then just minutes later, she would make a mess in the dining room. Then she would go for months at a time as care free as ever, only to regress back into the illness. We Googled Doggie Dementia and found 6 of the 10 symptoms were her to a "T". Her mom and I wanted her to be pain free. We called Peaceful Companion after seeing the business card at PetSmart. September, Friday the 13th, 2013 I held my 18 1/2 year old puppy in my arms and she took her last breath. It was HEARTBREAKING but I can still smile knowing that she is pain free, and as a friend put it, she is now "chasing squirrels with wings." Peace and Love to you, Jan, I certainly know how their unconditional love can make an impact on your life.
@macromover@cazla@tristansmum@zambianlass@stevied@lisatork@sansjuan@dakotaburns@terryvet92@maggiemae@joemuli@maggiemae@swilde@grammyn@kathysview@timandelke@luvmynynix@andrina@byrdlip@cindy_k@mzzhope@twistergirl - Thank you all for your lovely, kind and thoughtful comments, and for sharing your own stories. My precious Huckie went to the Rainbow Bridge tonight. He ate well today and ten developed some swelling in his front leg and was unable to put weight on it. After some discussion my husband and I decided that his quality of life was diminished. He was just sleeping and his breathing became labored. We took him to our vet tonight. Everyone in the clinic was so kind and many of the techs who knew him came out to hug us. My vet cried too and told us my two bullmastiffs are her among her very favorite patients and she will miss him too. We couldn't have asked for a better companion for the past seven years, but oh my goodness, will we ever miss him!
Oh dear, I am so sorry to hear this news. I feel for you, I really do because last night we had to have our poor little grey girl eased out of this world. Heartbroken? Every time it happens.
So sorry Jan, what a terrible loss for you. Huckle Baba was a gentle soul, and I loved seeing photos and hearing about him. Thinking of you and sending hugs xx
Such a sad story, Jan. I feel for you and your family for I know how it feels to lose a pet -- just like one of the family. Will keep you in my thoughts.
Oh, Jan....I have tears in my eyes and feel for you. I know you've seen my photos of Nutmeg and read my postings. Having a dog is the most wonderful experience, but the minute they enter your lives, you know you'll have this heartbreak. To lose Huckie Baba long before his time is absolutely heartbreaking. I'm so so so sorry to read this. I'll be thinking of you and wishing you and yours well at this difficult time.
@taffy - thanks for the kind words, Taffy. I do remember so well your beautiful stories of your lovely Nutmeg and the sadness of her passing. It's so hard with all our pets but these 'heart dogs' are so much more difficult to lose. We have so many great memories and shared stories tonight. We laughed when we remembered silly things like the tiny 4lb fluffy in one of his training classes that he fell in love with. She was so little he would lie on the floor and she sat on his head. He would lie there with his tail wagging, very still so as not to scare her off. It made us laugh. So many pictures too. I became aware of an artist today, who does lovely cheery paintings of dogs and is very reasonable so I am going to have her do one of Huckie for my husband for Father's Day.
I am so very sorry to read your sad news. Huckie looks so beautiful and loved in this photo. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
I am so sorry that I am late reading this Jan. My heart goes out to you and I hope you are feeling a little better than when you wrote this. Our animals are our family and losing one of them hurts just as much as losing another member of the family. They know we love them unconditionally and they love us back too. I am so glad you have your photos to look back and remember. I lost my cat Brian about 4 years ago but I still think of him constantly and I have photos hanging on wall that I can look at. Take care and I am sending you a hug. x
February 22nd, 2014
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Beautiful portrait of him
"Being human is most likely a much lonelier endeavor than being a dog. Of course, many dogs spend a great deal of their time in solitude, waiting for someone to come home, for the world to begin again–but they live in a state of connectedness, it seems, that we have lost, if indeed we ever possessed it. Is that why we turn to them, they who are always ready to receive, to join in wholeheartedly, as we so often cannot? To be human is to be a watcher; sometimes even at our moments of great joy or great grief there is a part of us conscious of our being, observing that being. I do not think dogs have such a part; they are all right here, involved in whatever it is, and therefore they are a sort of cure for our great, abiding loneliness. A temporary cure, but a real one." -- Mark Doty, from Dog Years