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Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Dog,
and his name was Yeti.
On Friday, April 18th, Yeti left us. He was 8. He had been getting creaky all winter, had an increasingly difficult time standing up, but started a real nosedive this week. He whimpered off and on on Tuesday. Wednesday, when I got home from taking Paul and the boys to the airport he barely lifted his head, and didn’t get up when I arrived….very unusual. On Thursday, I called Paul and the boys (in California collecting mom’s car to drive it cross-country to Maine while I’m teaching in Paducah), worried about Yeti. At 2:36 a.m. Friday, I came downstairs to Yeti whimpering again, asked if he wanted to go out. He didn’t, but was panting horribly. Since he didn’t seem able to get up I brought the water bowl to him, and he could barely lift his head enough to get water from the bowl, which he eventually drained.
Here’s Yeti snoozing by the fire this past winter, with his buddy Pigwidgeon:
On Friday morning, it took over half an hour to get him on his feet; I immediately took him out, but he wobbled like a drunk he was so unsteady. I knew he needed to see the vet, so rather than take him back up a couple of steps into the house, I tethered him outside near the back of my car. Since he is (was) 150 pounds-plus, I tried but failed to hoist him into the car. I called the Camden police (station is about a mile from my house) and asked, saying I thought my dog was dying but I couldn’t lift him into the car alone, if an officer wasn’t busy could they possibly come help me (nieghbors are either old or have a bad shoulder). Officer A. Smith did, and while I was waiting for him to arrive, I noticed two very small spots of blood on Yeti’s extremely furry leg. Under them was a large, hard growth and the skin wasn’t pale, but florid red and nearly black. Hmmmm….not good. And thanks and blessings (once again) to the Camden police. (Reminder to self: write thank you note today!)
I got to the vet’s and said I was worried this might be the last day of his life, and the nice vet said gently “it should be.” Sob. Turns out the growth was a tumor…. larger than my fist. And the discolored drool was bloody (internal bleeding of some sort). Worse. She figured it was probably a malignant tumor that had metastasized. It was about 6 am in San Francisco, Paul’s cell wasn’t turned on, and I didn’t recall which hotel. I dashed home for the number and returned to the vets to hold the cell phone to Yeti’s ear so Paul and the boys could say goodbye. Sob some more.
When we first got ‘Widgeon, Yeti was so patient, letting the little guy play
and harrass him,
and even sleep on him:
So Yeti, the dear dope, is gone. He doesn’t hurt any more, and I was able to stroke his head and muzzle as he died. And he knows we love him. Sob.
One of Yeti’s favorite things here in Maine was to romp in the snow, and bury his face in the snowdrifts, eating bites of fresh snow. Just last week, he was still trying to nibble snow… despite the fact the remaining bits were hard, crusty, covered with road sand. Here he is a couple of winters ago, happy as a clam while I shoveled and the boys played:
Yeti may have sometimes been (said affectionately) a large, hairy, loud-barking misery, but he was ours, he was sweet, and we loved him and will miss him. He’ll be cremated, and we’ll bury his ashes or some day take them back to the island where he romped and scatter them there. It’s weird not hearing him plod about the house, his claws clicking on the floors, or his enormous booming bark. Bye-bye, Yeti-Yeti Dum-Dum. Sniffle. Going for more kleenex.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Oh Sar, I’m so sorry.
An aptly named big galumpf, how your family loved him so.
Many, many hugs.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:27 am
So sorry to hear about Yeti. He will be in your heart always, but still so hard to lose a pet you love. Your post made me well up with tears too, hugs to you and I hope Yeti will be looking to play with my dog Daisy who is already there waiting for him!
April 19th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Sarah, I’m so sorry about your dog. It’s so hard when our beloved pets leave us. I’m glad you were able to be with him as he passed.
April 19th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I too feel so sorry for you and your family!
Yeti was a nice dog and he will be always remembered so!
Hugs from Antwerp/Belgium
April 19th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. We love them so much because they love us unconditionally. Remembering all the little loved ones we’ve lost, I’m going for more tissues too.
April 19th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Oh Jeez:
What a way to have to begin your “vacation”.
Poor baby.They leave us too soon.
April 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Sorry you had to deal with all that by yourself and what a kindness for the police officer to help you out that way–one of the benefits of small town life. Even more sorry you have lost your sweet companion. What a dear face.
April 19th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
i am so sorry… it’s hard to loose a beloved pet, i still mourn my large beastie and it’s been almost seven years…
April 19th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
So sorry to hear of your loss – what a lovely gentle giant of a dog to have blessed your family all these years. (((hugs))))
April 19th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Sarah, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so sad to lose a member of the family, and even worse that P and the boys were gone when it happened. Thinking of you all~~~~~
April 19th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Sarah, so sorry to hear of the loss of your dog. You have some wonderful photos of him. What a lovable galoot. Tough to deal with on your own, but you handled it so well, even giving the boys a chance to say good-bye.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Sarah, I’m so sorry to hear that you have lost your Yeti. I’m sure all your memories now are good ones and he will live on in your heart.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
So sorry Yeti had to leave. What a face! The photos of he & the puglet are precious. It’s been 10 years & I still stick my hand down at my side waiting for my Phoebe to come up & put her nose in it. Love & hugs to you & yours & lots of puppy kisses from the 2 “little boys” here, Kelly & Casey.
April 19th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Sarah,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I thought it was wonderful you were able to have Paul and the boys say good-bye. Your loss reminded me of the way too many times we lost a beloved fury family member. I had to get Kleenex too!!!
Hugs to you all.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Oh Sarah, I’m so sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful tribute you have written for Yeti. He was much loved by your family and I’m sure will be fondly remembered for many years to come.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I’m so sorry, Sarah, losing a pet you’ve had for years is losing a member of your family. I’ve enjoyed yours posts about Yeti in the past- never heard of the breed before then! Yeti may be gone, but he won’t be forgotten, and he knew how loved he was.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Sarah, you have my sympathies for your loss. Yeti was a big beautiful boy, his loss leaves a big hole in your life. I’m glad you have the little guy to give you doggie kisses until your human family returns. Sorry you had to go through this without them by your side.
So sorry,
Jan
April 20th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Sarah —
Yeti was one of a handful of memorable dogs I have met and I am so sorry that he is no more. Having lost two cats within the past year I can understand how empty the house will seem without him. We still have three but they are not the same personalities.
Signing off as T2 has come to demand petting…
April 20th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Sarah Ann, I am so sad to hear about Yeti. I am so sorry.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Sarah,
I want to tell you how sorry I am about Yeti. It’s so hard losing a member of the family but you have all those great photographs and the memories that go with them. I am sorry you were alone when this began. That must have been hard also. What kind of a dog was Yeti? He had a very nice face.
April 21st, 2008 at 1:37 am
Sarah,
Your Yetti was such a big gentle giant…
Big dogs have that way about them. I am so sorry that you had to deal with his passing on your own. Just remember that the really special ones never truly leave us, they are always held in a special place in your heart.
A big hug and doggies kisses from my house to yours…
Lutra
April 21st, 2008 at 3:13 am
So sorry to hear this Sarah. You have lovely pictures of him to remember him by. I was crying too when I read it.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:18 am
Oh Sarah. I’m so sorry. Even though it was time for Yeti to go, that doesn’t make it any less sad for all those who loved him.
April 21st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Sarah I am so sorry for you but glad you had eight wonderful years. Memories will always be there.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
This breaks my heart. I’ve loved Yeti since the first day I saw his picture. May he rest in peace. No reply please — it will only remind me of all the pet losses.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Sarah and family,
I am sorry to hear about Yeti… He was obviously a well loved family member. Hope all else is well with you and the rest of the family.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Sarah, just read about Yeti – I am so sorry! What an adorable big fluffy guy. I am in tears for you and your family.
September 20th, 2010 at 7:46 am
[…] cetera, we are getting the house spruced up. The dear, departed Yeti-dogbeast (read about him here and here) left his marks on the house literally: major scratches on the door from the garage to […]