Friday, April 10, 2015

Eddie hikes to the Rainbow Bridge

Eddie
August 24, 2003 - April 6, 2015

Last Monday,  just four days after we lost Sweet Shiloh, Eddie followed her to the Rainbow Bridge.  Cluster seizures – seven or eight within 36 hours - were doing permanent damage;  once the meds kicked in he had respite from them but quickly developed an adverse reaction to the medication.  Frenetic agitation and hyperactivity were too much for his already compromised heart, and he kept losing consciousness.   In consultation with my vet, and keeping his quality of life foremost in mind,  I made the heartbreaking decision to let him go.  Bless his vet for coming out Easter Monday morning – Eddie was able to leave this world in the safety of our home, in the comfort of my arms, and his leaving was quick and peaceful.  
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Eddie, dear boy, you were not the easiest dog to love – which is, I suppose, a strange way to begin my tribute to you.  Your over-the-top food obsession, your barking, and your many anxieties earned you the nicknames of Annoying Eddie, Excitable Eddie, and Anxious Eddie.  But your good points redeemed you and you wormed your way into the hearts of all who knew you. You were a good companion in so many ways.

Of course I was!
I graduated from school!

You were a friend to everyone - human, canine and even feline.  You loved picnics on the beach, especially if egg salad sandwiches were involved, and parties in the back yard.  You heard the sound of the cookie jar from three houses away, and no crumb on the floor escaped your attention.  You had a big personality yet you could settle down quietly when your needs for food, exercise, and attention had all been met.  And you were unique - there was no other dog quite like you!

Didya remember the
egg salad sandwiches, mom?

Eddie and a few of his
many friends and family
Party Animal!

We had such great times hiking – your very favourite activity next to eating – and you quickly earned the privilege of being off leash.  Liver treats sure helped with reliable recall.  This week as I went through the thousands of photos of our hikes together, one image occurred over and over and over – a very happy dog running back to mama!

I'm coming, mama, I'm coming!

Travelling to visit friends and family was another matter.  The journey was great;  going into unfamiliar buildings not so much.  Still, you wanted to please me and you wanted to be with me, and so you braved trips to the lower mainland and the Okanagan, put up with being carried up and down stairs, hesitantly slunk down apartment hallways or into strange houses.

Road Trip!!

Eddie on the shores of
Okanagan Lake

But if there were bumper stickers for dogs, yours would read “I’d rather be camping!”   If you had to sleep away from home, a tent was your shelter of choice.  I wish we’d done more camping together.  You owned the tent from the moment it was set up, slept happily in your crate, paid no heed to the sounds of the forest. By day we hiked, or lazed around the fire visiting with friends.  If you’d had access to the food supplies, I’m sure you’d have been roasting hotdogs and making s’mores.

Camping out at Emory Creek, BC
and visiting with
King, Molly Dawg, and Lady May

But hiking?  That was what you lived for.  It was as if you wanted to cram into the short time you had with me all the fun you missed out on during your first eight years.  So hike we did.  Maple Mountain and Mt. Richards, Grace Road Park and Swallowfield, Chemainus Lake and Crofton Lake,  Osborne Bay Park and Mt. Tzouhalem,  so many walks and hikes with so many good friends. Those places won't be quite the same without you.  Your friends and I will miss you.



Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

Happy trails, my little hiking buddy.  Happy trails.

Love, Mom. 

19 comments:

Dom said...

O no.. Jean, I'm so sorry. Two big losses in such a short time must be devastating. My heart aches for you. Rest easy, Eddie.

Anonymous said...

Sending gentle hugs during this very difficult time -- Gayle

Elle Clancy said...

Dear Jean: I am so sorry to hear about Eddie and Shiloh. I know you must be heartbroken but what a good life and much love you gave them both. Our dog Murphy passed away Easter night, so we know what you're feeling. It is so hard but we keep in mind the good times. Elle.

Black Jack's Carol said...

A fitting and magnificent tribute to your beautiful Eddie, Jean. I am so sorry!

Sheryl said...

So much loss! I'm so sorry.

What a great life he had with you, though. When he came to live with you he must have thought that he'd already come to Heaven.

Rest in Peace, Eddie. Good Boy!

Erika said...

Lovely photos and a lovely tribute.
I am so sorry.

Cathy said...

Lovely tribute to Eddie. He surely left a big paw print in your heart. He was lucky to have had this golden time with you.

CarolineA said...

Dear Jean, This is too much heartbreak. Our thoughts go out to you, Allie and Mitzi.

ruth said...

So sorry to hear about Eddies passing, too!

Kate D. said...

I'm so sorry Jean that you have lost your Eddie, this is just so heartbreaking, thank you for sharing all their wonderful stories, they are so precious. Rest in Peace Eddie and Shiloh

"... what we have enjoyed, we can never lose ... all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." ~Helen Keller

take care of yourself ((Hugs))

Marie said...

So sorry to hear about this, rest in peace Eddie.

Anonymous said...

Jean that was a beautiful tribute to Eddie. His personality really came through in the pictures. I know you will miss your hikes with him, he was such a good hiking partner.
I will miss being greeted my his hoarse bark.
This has been such a sad time for you with first Shiloh and now Eddie.
Take care my friend
(((( HUGS )))) Else.

Jean said...

Thank you all - the house is very quiet and empty now, and your words of support mean a lot to me.

Elle Clancy, I am so sorry to hear that Murphy also passed away Easter weekend - Eddie and Shiloh and Murphy together at the Bridge.

Brigid said...

A house that is quiet and empty - but a heart full of lovely doggy memories. The pain of losing our friends is extreme - but that pain is a measure of the unconditional love they gave us. Eddie and Shiloh are waiting for you at the Bridge... Thinking of you, Jean

Janice Gillett said...

your tribute was a beautiful walk threw your lives together ..so very sorry for yet another huge loss jean... your house must seem empty even with the three of you now.

Anonymous said...

Awww .. Another heart break & loss of a dear, warm friend & soul.
We sign up for it with our loved pets.. but it's wrenching to say good bye.
I had the privilege of meeting you and sweet Eddie at your house.
It was the end of the day so all of his needs had been met. Therefore..all I saw was Eddie's very lovable & quiet charm!
It was the night before you set out on what I think was you're first camping trip with him...
You weren't sure if he'd like camping or not? However, it turned out to be a successful & happy experience. You found one of his niche's!
What a great life you have given to Eddie and all you're lucky furry kids ... You've done so well by these sweet deserving souls & made the remaining time they had here in this life on earth 'right'. Bless your heart.
Wendy

Mark said...

Oh Jean, We were so sorry to hear of Eddie's passing especially so soon after Shiloh. We were glad to be able to meet up with you at Emory Creek, it was Eddie that we spotted first when trying to find you. Thank You for taking care of him when he needed someone, Hugs to you, Mitzi and Allie.

Mark, Del & the Royals

Anonymous said...

So sorry to read about Eddie and Shiloh. I feel your pain as last week I said goodbye to my trail riding buddy, Slim, the big gelding we saved from the life of a pack horse. I feel like there are some hurts that will never go away. Hugs to you. Kimberly

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry to hear of Eddies passing , but am happy to see the many pictures of him happy with you. I know in my heart that I made the right decision in sending him to you. He obviously loved you very much.
Celine