Rest in Peace Dudley, My Dearest Lifelong Friend

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Today, I had to have my good and faithful friend, Dudley put to sleep. It may be too much for some to understand but I am honestly heartbroken about it and frankly holding back tears as I type this. You may wonder why?... but maybe you'll understand if you read on.

Dudley turned 14 years old only last weekend. He was a Labrador/Dalmation mix and was as true a friend as I have EVER had in my life. 14 years ago my childhood sweetheart wife, two small children and I were on vacation and got him from someone with 11 black Lab pups in a box at Riverside Park in Kernville, CA. The kids took turns holding his sleeping, fat little 9 week old body on their laps all the way home. Dudley never whimpered, never ever had an accident. He was housebroken from the very first day.

The years passed, my kids grew up and Dudley was there for all of it. He would run like the wind to beat my then-12 year old son, Thomas to the flyballs I would hit him everyday after work in the summer. Thomas is a week short of 26 now and his wife is pregnant with his own first child. Dudley would sit for hours on my daughter Katie's bed and let her dress him up. Katie is 24 now, a recent law school graduate and studying for the bar exam later this month.

My childhood sweetheart wife? She came home one day, a month short of our 20th anniversary, almost 9 years ago and told me she wanted out. To this day I could not tell you in a sentence why my marriage ended. Dudley was there to lick my hand when I shed some tears over that. He sat right by my side when I sat alone and raged at the ceiling about the end of my marriage. When the house we lived in was sold and all our belongings split up on the front lawn like so much junk, Dudley was with me. He jumped into the moving van as we drove away. I eventually made a new life and Dudley was there for all of it.

My unsolicited advice to those of you with loved pets is to enjoy them everyday. Be more patient than it is your first reaction to be. Indulge them with a few more minutes of ear scratching; and oh hell, get off your butt and take them for a walk; it isn't much to ask.

Here are some of the last pictures I took of Dudley only a short while ago. With him is Sooner, my 3-1/2 year old Labrador. Sooner will never help me raise children, but I am sure he will be a fine pet. I hope Dudley forgives me. I feel like such a low down rotten louse for putting him down. If "all dogs go to heaven" I hope Dudley puts in a good word for me and gives me a bark and a lick when I see him someday. Rest in Peace my friend. I will never forget you.

trekkor · 07-10-2007, 05:03 PM

Thanks for sharing your story.

It's not hard to love our pets.
You were good to treat him so well.

KT

pwd72s · 07-10-2007, 05:05 PM

Ahhh Geeze Dan...you did the right thing. Not that this makes you feel even a little bit better.

DavidI · 07-10-2007, 05:06 PM

Dan, it is difficult to explain to people without a devoted dog to understand the bond between a man and his best friend. From your narrative, he was an exceptional friend. Godspeed Dudley, David

notfarnow · 07-10-2007, 05:11 PM

Sad news, thanks for sharing.

My old dog is holding strong, but these threads make me think of the inevitable. Every time I read about someone's dog passing on, I spoil him a bit. He's going to get icecream cake tonight, in honor of Dudley.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Thanks all you guys.

Jake, if he's an old timer, make double certain you give him some love for me. Right now, I wish I could take it back so badly...... I can "feel" Dudley under my hand.

JCF · 07-10-2007, 05:17 PM

Damn !
What the hell is going on here ? !

Paul and targa911S saying goodbye to their cars today and now this ?

So sorry .
After the pain of loss dulls, the warmth of the memories will begin to fill the void.
Those we Loved never leave us, they become us.

John

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by JCF
....Those we Loved never leave us, they become us.

John

Thanks John. I like this sentiment, I agree its true. It's how my Dad lives on in me.

I will never forget Dudley.

notfarnow · 07-10-2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena

Jake, if he's an old timer, make double certain you give him some love for me.

He is, I will.

I just woke him up and gave Chance a bowl of Icecream cake. He doesn't know who Dudley is, but he says thanks & Godspeed.

rouxroux · 05:49 PM

Dan, I am so sorry for your loss. Dudley will be waiting at the bridge. After hearing you and Tabs talk about your losses, I know that mere words can't begin to touch the love you had for your friend. I have felt that same loss too often with dear pets, and as I look at my old greying Cocker Spaniel I want to give him as much love as I can. They HAVE to go to Heaven, otherwise I don't think God would pull such on us. Our thoughts are with you.

targa911S · 07-10-2007, 05:53 PM

Dan I SO sorry to hear about your loss. You were so supportive when big Henry was so sick. I wish I could say something to make you feel better. I'm sure you are devistated. Here is a copy of the Rianbow Bridge, maybe that will help.

Rest in peace big guy.

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

"You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Rot 911 · 07-10-2007, 05:59 PM

I just gave Max, my soon to be 12 year old mutt an extra dog biscuit in honor of Dudley!

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Man, you brought me to tears again!

Ever seen the few-years-old Robin Williams movie, "What Dreams May Come"? It is a small part of the movie but when he goes to heaven his old Dalmation is there - young, healthy, full of life and overjoyed to see him. I thought of that immediately when I read this. God, I hope it is true. I don't mean to be maudlin or a drama queen but I am hurting as though a family member had died....check that, a family member HAS died. I miss you Dudley, I really do my little man.

VINMAN · 07-10-2007, 06:03 PM

Dan, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hate seeing stuff like this

My 14 y/o Husky Nacoma is my best friend. I know that soon, I'm going to have to do the same. It is something I am not prepared for.

Ronbo · 07-10-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
I hope Dudley forgives me. I feel like such a low down rotten louse for putting him down. If "all dogs go to heaven" I hope Dudley puts in a good word for me and gives me a bark and a lick when I see him someday. Rest in Peace my friend. I will never forget you.

Rest assured that you did the right thing for him. It's never easy.

holtjv · 07-10-2007, 06:44 PM

Dan: I am on my way to give Ben-dog, my 14 year old heeler/lab mix a dog biscuit in honor of Dudley.

Your story and those of others, have made me appreciate Ben a lot more in his elder years--he's getting deaf, blind, and more senile, and I need to give him some good years as he has given me.

Thanks for the story.

Jack

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Rotten news - don't know what's with all the best friends getting called home lately, but it's very unfortunate. I think Roy Rogers said it best - if there are no dogs in heaven then when I die I want to go wherever they went.

Peace and strength - it's losing a family member - nothing less.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
.... if there are no dogs in heaven then when I die I want to go wherever they went.

God, me too. Were they go has to be the best.

Jack, Scratch those little ears for me. Dudley's eyes had grown blue with cloudiness and his hearing was leaving him... but his enthusiasm for me and for his "sister and brother" never left him. He only saw them a few times a year the last couple but would be thrilled to death when they petted him and fussed over him.

My friend, my friend, I can't believe you won't be there tomorrow.

BlueSkyJaunte · 07-10-2007, 08:24 PM

My condolences. I had to have our shepherd put down last December and the part of my heart she took with her still aches.

Most dogs are better than most people I know.

Evans, Marv · 07-10-2007, 08:49 PM

Dan,
I also offer my condolendes. As I said in a recent similar thread, it seems like a lot of us are loosing pets lately. I had my 20+ year old cat put to sleep the 11th of last month. It seems like I still hear her walking next to my bed at night wanting me to pick her up & put her there, since she couldn't jump or climb up anymore. All we can do is give them the best life and the most love we can, which we all know you did for Dudley.