“You know, when I lost Malcolm I cursed god and was alone. Murphy carried me through that hard sad time in my life. Then god gave me this amazing mission which I could have never undertaken without my beautiful boy by my side. Yesterday I carried Murphy back to god.” Luke Robinson (2dogs2000miles.org)
Pictured is Luke Robinson carrying the lifeless body of his beloved dog, Murphy, after being humanely euthanized last Wednesday. A very sad ending to a wondrous journey Luke embarked on after losing another dog, Malcolm to cancer.
It was one year ago on Sunday, June 19th, when Luke and his “boys”, Murphy and Hudson traveled from Austin to Boston to create awareness of canine cancer. One year ago on June 19th, I and many others traveled to Boston to see this part of their journey come to an end. And this past Sunday, Luke spent his last Father’s Day with Murphy knowing it would be their last.
Shortly after their walk ended in Boston, Murphy was diagnosed with nasal cancer. Luke came to realize it was a matter of time before he would lose yet another dog to cancer.
The irony may be the hardest part to swallow. A man made a promise to Malcolm to create awareness about canine cancer only to have one of his dogs on that journey succumb to this wicked disease.
I do know and understand what Luke is feeling. So many people have been sharing their sympathies with Luke on different Facebook pages and his blog. Thousands of people have reached out to Luke during his time of bereavment.
But this entry isn’t just about Luke. As I had written to Luke, no words can ease the pain of losing a beloved pet but so many of us “animal people” can and do know exactly the feelings he is experiencing. While Murphy’s story may be sadly ironic, the end result with Murphy’s untimely death is not.
I so feel Luke’s pain. I love animals with all my heart and soul. I always have since I was a little girl. Animals were and are an integral part of my life. My heart breaks for Luke. The above picture says it all for me. I know that familiar feeling all too well. All of us dedicated pet parents have to face that ultimate decision at some point.
As I sit here, my Shadow is lying nearby. I watch his breathing. His respiration rate. Since he almost died from pneumonia and still recovering, it has been a tough journey. His collapsing trachea, enlarged heart, heart murmur and allergies have made the recovery that much harder not only on Shadow but on my husband and me.
If his respiration rate exceeds 30 breaths per minute, we will be dealing with congestive heart failure. Now I’ve been told that Shadow has been possibly experiencing heart failure for years. Well, I knew Shadow better than anyone! Sorry, docs! He has never shown any signs of it and I knew he didn’t have it. Even with all of these health issues, Shadow has always played and run like a nut! I take Shadow’s respiration rate all the time. Have been for years. It is an astounding 9-13 breaths per minutes. That’s my boy!
I know some dogs never recover from pneumonia and I’ve had my doubts about Shadow’s recovery. He has always bounced back from other health issues. This time, it’s different.
I asked my husband a few weeks ago if he thought Shadow was going to “make it” and my instincts told me he felt what I was feeling. It has been a day to day recovery.
I simply cannot bear the loss of Shadow at this time in my life. I know I may not have control over the outcome but I will do whatever is in my power to prevent it. My dad only died months ago. A dad to whom I was his “right-hand man”. A huge loss for me. I couldn’t even begin to explain the loss of Shadow.
Just as Luke and so many other pet parents do, I’ve read so much information on all of Shadow’s health issues to gain a better understanding. And I truly believe I have. As I said I know him better than anyone including any veterinarian. I’ve seen the changes in him when he is no longer on antibiotics. And it ain’t pretty. His coughing becomes more incessant. He pants more. He looks and acts exhausted.
I feel I’ve finally found the right mixture or cocktail of meds for Shadow with the help of my wonderful vet. Don’t always leave everything up to the vet. Do your own investigation. Shadow’s cough has decreased dramatically. He started playing with his ball again. Try and grab that from him- no, thank you. He’s only playing but he sure can hold onto that ball! He also played with our dog Jazz last week. I had to videotape that! He even runs at times. But, I moderate Shadow’s activities. I need him to still stay calm because I know if he indulges too much, his coughing resumes. Heat and humidity are troublesome for dogs with collapsing tracheas but for Shadow it is more so. So he needs to stay in the comfort of a/c as much as possible.
With alot of TLC and meds, I feel safe to say at this moment in time, Shadow will be okay. He may never go back to the very active dog he was, but still ok. But I know I will be facing the time Luke faced last week-as a pet parent does every single day of the year.
This entry is for all of us who have or have had a pet. We know the joys of having them in our lives. Our lives have become richer and more fulfilled because of their very presence in it.
For me, having a pet in my life is a gateway to my soul. For their piercing eyes can reach deep into my heart and soul and soothe away pain that no medicine can touch. It is the living, breathing furry creature they are that makes me want to cuddle up with them at any given time. Not only are they social beings and need us but the same is true of us. I have held onto my pets during difficult times as well as fun times.
For those who have never had the pleasure of having any pet, you have no idea what you’re missing. I don’t feel pets are for everyone. Unless you can make a lifetime commitment to an animal, I say a pet is not for you.
For those who have lost a beloved pet, know that you’re not alone even though the pain is yours and yours alone.
I feel unless one looks into the deep pools of the eyes of a dog, one can’t realize or understand what unconditional love is. I have and I do. When one can feel the purring of a cat and the joy you bring it, one can understand the depth of love one can have for an animal.
I love animals. Plain and simple. I make no apologies to anyone. Do I think they’re human? No, but they sure can act like it sometimes! I know Luke’s pain. One never forgets about their pets. And Murphy’s memories will keep him going and will live on. Murphy reached thousands of people during their journey. He is sorely missed. Just as all of my pets are as well!
But let us not forget all who have lost their lives. May they all rest in peace.
My sympathies, Luke, on the loss of Murphy. And to everyone who has felt this tremendous loss.
To see a tribute video of Luke, Murphy and Hudson made by my friend, Erich Trapp, of 2dogs2000miles, click here. Great video!