Funeral director says goodbye to dog that changed his life

[Are_grits_groceries]

Funeral home director Tom Dobies of New Port Richey kisses his dog Lucy in his back yard in March. Lucy was a grief therapy dog at his funeral home. Now, Dobies has planned her funeral.

NEW PORT RICHEY — Tom Dobies dreaded this day.

He had comforted thousands of grieving families in 34 years as a mortician, but nothing could ease the burning in his throat Monday as the doctor arrived at his house.

Dobies had done everything to keep Lucy alive after the brain tumor. He had spent thousands of dollars on sophisticated medical procedures. For a man so familiar with the death business, he pledged to cheat it, to keep Lucy by his side as long as possible, as long as she wasn't suffering.

Lucy, shown in March, underwent brain surgery to have a tumor removed. She died this week in the arms of her owner, funeral home director Tom Dobies.

Friends wondered why he would spend so much money trying to hold onto a 14-year-old dog, a mixed-breed Labrador. His answer: "I love her.'' But it went even deeper.
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Much more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/funeral-director-says-goodbye-to-dog-that-changed-his-life/1245803

Man, do I have something in my eyes!

[KurtNYC]

1. Caring for 2 Lab mixes is the most spiritual thing I do every day.

They are like 2 Buddhist monks in fur -- peaceful, loving and always in the moment. They love everyone and will go to anyone who is crying or in pain. We were walking and my female went up to a guy who looked sad. She licked his ear. He said he had been having a terrible day and THAT was the best thing that had happened to him. They do this all the time. It is so beautiful and inspiring.

I know this man's pain though; all too well.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. ...

[Zorra]

11. The best dog that ever lived with me was a female lab German Shepherd cross.

We roamed together for 14 years. I cried for days when she passed.

"peaceful, loving and always in the moment. They love everyone and will go to anyone who is crying or in pain"

I called her Harmony, and that is what she was.

[SouthernLiberal]

17. We have something in common

My best ever dog friend was a male Lab German Shepherd cross, who also lived for 14 years. He was a member of the family, and we often joked about him being our 'furry brother'. He was the only family member who had the patience to listen to all my teenage drama.

To this day, some 30-odd years later, a portrait of him hangs above the mantelpiece.

[xchrom]

2. ...

[malaise]

4. All dog lovers understand why he spent that money to

to keep her alive and without discomfort.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. I think that

all animal lovers understand.

[malaise]

8. MeowMeow!!

[catbyte]

12. meow meow prrrrrrrt x 1000

[riderinthestorm]

6. I'm in a blessed hiatus with all of my pets right now, all of them healthy

and within a normal age span (knock on wood!)

I've certainly been in Dobies shoes though and my heart just breaks along with his. Its always a terrible day when I lose one of my "kids". Even just thinking back on some of my greatest friends and their passing....

[riverbendviewgal]

7. A good man

lost his dog, who made him a better man...sweet and sad story.

[nolabear]

9. What a gift our relationships with animals are. Cross easy, Lucy.

[MarianJack]

10. My doggie Spencer went to "doggie heaven" in 1993.

Until the deaths of my mother, sister and father in law, putting my friend to sleep was the hardest thing I'd ever done in my life.

The last physical motion he made was to put his head next to mine as I was hugging him. I'm still fighting tears as I type this nearly 20 years after. When we make closing on our "for good" home later this month, Spencer's ashes will finally rest in the yard. I still love and miss that dog.

The most upset I've EVER seen my wife in 14 years of marriage and 15 years together (since 1997) was when our cat had to get a few inches of his tail removed.

Perople who've never had pets will never understand how much of a vital and important part of the family they are.

PEACE!

[grilled onions]

13. Another Political Qualification

You must understand animals...must be willing to share your world with them. This must go on beyond just owning a pet. Anyone could own one but it's the loving one that counts. When one respects wild animals it means you also respect "their" home and will do what you can to preserve it. A person who is attuned to the connect between the human world and the animal one knows there should be room for both,that we have no right to take their land away and that not all wisdom comes in the form of the printed page. Animals can teach us plenty. As for the domestic varieties they also give love for free as a huge bonus.

[WinstonSmith4740]

14. Can't explain it...

But even among us animal lovers, (5 cats/3 dogs) there's just something special about the bond between a man and his dog. Hope your crossing was peaceful, Lucy. Go find my husband & our pit-bull mix, Josie. Mike will rub your belly, Josie will share her treats, and they'll show you around.

[Smilo]

15. There is a reason that God

is dog spelled backwards.

The unconditional love any pet (whatever species) gives a human is amazing and all we can do is give a portion of that love back. Animals are special and deserve to be treated with love, kindness and respect.

May Mr. Dobies find some comfort soon and may his memories of Lucy be happy.

[RoccoR5955]

16. I keep telling people to remember that

But unfortunately, they never do.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

18. If Only ...

We could replace people brains with dog brains.

All this shit would be over!

Learn to love each other as a dog loves you!

They forgive us our trespasses.

They don't care about color or sex preferences, a lot are neutral.

They live completely in the moment.

I have had a dog for most of my days, (21,900 at last count) I can train them, but they all have taught me.

[Third Doctor]

19. I'm really sad for his loss

Pets can be a god send. I've learned that more than once.

[Progressive dog]

20. "If there are no dogs in Heaven,

then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers
But, dog lovers want to keep their best friends with them as long as possible.

[hifiguy]

21. Nothing in the world is as hard as saying the final

goodbye to our furfriends. Something about unconditional love has that effect. Safe journey, Lucy.