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Bobby NERR&R #1324 (1998-6/18/2004)
Special thanks to the following sponsors of Bobby's Memorial:
Harry LaFond
Rebecca Schroth
Bobby's Story
I collect the owner surrender calls from the hotline. There isn't a single excuse for
getting rid of a dog that I haven't heard before so I have developed something of a callous nature in dealing with
these calls. I'm not sure why this particular call affected me so much. I rarely find compassion for people who dump
their dogs. Perhaps it was because the caller was crying and obviously distraught, maybe it was the crying children in
the background but for whatever reason, I took action on this call and labeled it a hardship case and made it a priority.
Frances followed up on the call, her story checked out so she went to evaluate the dog and that's how Bobby came into my
life.
I brought Bobby home with me on June 5th for his second evaluation and his medicals. Bobby was
to stay with me through the week and move on to Harry's house for foster care but he was never to make it there. Bobby
was very attached to his family, so deeply attached that he was very depressed. He wasn't eating well, he didn't move
much and he barely acknowledged the existence of anyone around him. I spent a lot of time trying to reach through his
depression and reassure Bobby that his family still loved him and that other people too loved him. After several days
I was successful; Bobby began to eat and interact with the people and dogs around him. He played in the pool and romped
with his tennis ball.
I take something away from each dog that I foster. Most dogs give me my lessons willingly and
openly; they are usually lessons in patience and trust. And then there are those lessons that I must work hard for or
which leave a deep and lasting impression on me. Bobby was one of those harder discoveries. It was very humbling to see
how attached Bobby was to his family and watch him fall so deeply into depression and not be able to reassure him or
provide him comfort. In my persistence to pull him from his depression, Bobby and I formed very strong bond.
On June 10th I was having a quiet moment with Bobby massaging him and I noticed the lymph node
in his groin was swollen. Upon thorough examination, I discovered that all of his lymph nodes were swollen. With a heavy
heart, Bobby was taken in for testing and radiographs and biopsy was scheduled for the 12th. I feared the worst; we are
all aware of the Rottweiler's susceptibility to many types of cancer. Bobby's renewed vigor for life and our intensifying
bond gave me the ability to hold out hope. How could a dog so ill have climbed out of deep depression to zoom around the
yard and eat with great gusto?
The last three days waiting of waiting were painful for me but nothing was so painful as watching
while my new friend slipped back into his depression. He stopped eating his kibble and had to be coaxed and fed chicken
by hand. He still had bright moments of chewing on his tennis ball and he never stopped wanting to be with me, I was never
out of his sight. The medications weren't helping him and I knew even before the lab report came in yesterday that my
friend was dying.
I had wanted to share the photos and biography of an incredible Rottweiler with you all as he
was welcomed to the website for adoption. Instead, I share his eulogy and beg you to never forget that each and every
Rottweiler that we foster has a message to share with us. No matter how long or short the time you spend fostering each
of these special dogs, know that you have been blessed with a life lesson. Listen closely and learn it well. Some lessons
are more painful than others. We can only assume that we are chosen to endure these difficult lessons so that we may spare
other the pain. Today I spared a family the pain of choosing to end the life of a dog they have loved for many years. I
spared a single mother of four young children the emotional and financial burden of caring for her failing Rottweiler.
Today, I lost a friend. He gave me strength and humility and he renewed my humanity. I won't forget your lessons Bobby.
1998-6/18/2004
With a sad heart, Tracy
If you wish to make a donation in memory of Bobby, you may do so in two ways:
Send a check made payable to NERR&R, P.O. Box 510, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or
Click below to send a donation via PayPal.
Please be sure to indicate that your donation is in memory of Bobby #1324.
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