Bobby Lee, 1995-2005

[Kelvin Mace]

Just got back from the vet where I had to let him go. He was fine Monday, sick Tuesday and they found a softball-sized tumor in him Tuesday afternoon.

He was rescued from the pound three years ago after a pretty hard life and was the official office dog. He was loyal, staunchly protective of his family and the office, and incredibly bright. He annoyed the office cat no end, which he saw as part of his job. UPS men were suspect and watched like a hawk, Airborne ladies were family.

Even on his last day, he rose to greet his friends making them feel, as always, that his day was now complete since you were there, jumping and dancing even as he struggled to catch his breath.

He was better company, more compassionate and certainly more intelligent than some people I could name, people who hold positions of power and prestige and never are troubled a moment about the suffering of others.

If it were in my power to switch the fates of this dog and such a person, I would do so without hesitation or remorse. If this makes me a bad person, so be it. The world would be a better place with more Bobby Lees and fewer smug humans.

[progmom]

1. i am so sorry

:cry:
:hug:

[JimmyJazz]

2. I'm sorry for your loss.

Damn. I seem to be typing that way too much lately. :hug:

[Wetzelbill]

3. my condolences

I was a farm kid, raised around many great dogs, cats and horses. It's never easy to see part of your family go. You and Bobby Lee are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Kelvin Mace]

39. Thank you...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Awww...my heart breaks for you, David

:hug: Our pets are family...if anything happened to my boy, I'd be devastated...so sorry.

[ewagner]

5. I'm so sorry for your loss

I still can't get another dog after a year-and-a-half....

[Kelvin Mace]

21. They seem to find me...

Mostly they show up on my doorstep, in the middle of the road on a rainy night. I think they have a web site with my name on it. The Office Cat, Tonks, showed up a minute after I explained to a friend of mine how animals just "appeared" in my life.

She was crying in the hedges, half-starved, so small we thought she was a kitten instead of a one-year old cat.



I even gave them their own web site, though I have been woefullly neglectful keeping it up to date.

http://fourfootedmafia.com

[ewagner]

28. Same here

My first dog (after I was married), Winston came running up to me in the parking lot, sat by my door and offered me his paw....that paw shake lasted 13 years....

Misty showed up on the shipping and receiving dock of my workplace and started conning me out of my lunches by being "cute".

sigh.....both great dogs....I miss them greatly.

here's Winston


and here's Misty

[Kelvin Mace]

40. What is it about that "look"

they give? It speaks so much far more eloquently than mere words can manage.

[Missy M]

6. What a wonderful story and what a special dog!!!!

Rest in Peace Bobby Lee

[hippiechick]

7. Blessings ...

:hug: O8)

[Hugin]

8. Sounds as if you've lost a friend...

Every now and again a special animal comes along and
touches a heart.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Kelvin Mace]

34. He was a character

I have the blessing/curse of having animals with "personality". They are always different, always endearing.

Here's the whole mob:


Watson - (1983-2004) Walked into my apartment one day like he owned the place.


Bobby Lee (1995-2005) Rescue from animal shelter


Trelane (1986) Rescue from vet


Mulder (1995) Abandoned on road about 4 weeks old.


Birdie (2001) Retired from a breeder


Jubal (1997?) Abandoned on road


Jitterbug (2003) Pet shop resuce, spinal injury.


Tonks (2002) Abandoned beside my office, now Office Cat for
Plan Nine Publishing

[hlthe2b]

9. Oh, I am so very sorry.... My love to you and all the DUers

who share their lives with these most wonderful companions. Losing them is so very difficult, but the time you have with them is a special miracle. I'm glad he didn't have to suffer. May your memories sustain you....

And, yes, the world would be a better place with more Bobby Lees and fewer smug humans. Most definitely. Bobby Lee is surely in good company, with my dear ones who've gone before. Enjoy that doggie paradise, Bobby Lee.

[livetohike]

10. My sympathy to you and RIP Bobby Lee

:hug: I hope the good memories you have will help ease the grief. He sounds like he was a sweet boy....

[jedicord]

11. RIP Bobby Lee

Now you've got me crying. My animals are my family, and there are no words for the pain when I lose one.

HUG.

[Kelvin Mace]

42. Thanks

It helps to know people understand.

[ronnykmarshall]

12. What a cute pooch.

I'm so sorry. It's hard losing our babies. I'm so sorry.

[MN ChimpH8R]

13. Very sorry for your loss

It sounds like he was a great dog and a real character.

[Zomby Woof]

14. Goodbye Bobby Lee

:cry: He was a very lucky pup to have you as his companion all those years.

[Straight Shooter]

15. "... his day was now complete since you were there."

Awwww, man, why did you have to put such a tear-jerking line in there?

Bye-bye, Bobby Lee. :cry:

[montanacowboy]

16. What a wonderful boy

I am so sorry for your loss - but he has crossed over the rainbow bridge to a better place without pain or sickness.

The first moment we bring them into our lives we dread this time we know will come - and we ask ourselves is it worth it? and the answer is always a resounding yes because the pain is worth the love they give us.

Peace.

[Kelvin Mace]

30. That is the part that tears on me...

I've lost my long time companion of 15 years, Watson a black cat who was 21 back in December. My other cat, Trelane I have had since he was a kitten (1986) is getting frail.

I keep saying I can't take the heartache of losing them and I will cut down on the number of animals, but I just don't have the heart to turn them away.

[nini]

17. So sorry for your loss

It's so hard to lose a beloved pet. You have my sympathies. :(

:hug:

[Shell Beau]

18. Aw, I'm sorry. Poor baby dog. But

you and your office gave him a wonderful last 3 years!

[Kelvin Mace]

22. I keep that in mind

He was a very happy dog these last years.

[Shell Beau]

26. And that is very important!

:hug:

[havocmom]

19. Deepest sympathy for the loss of such a great friend.

What a cutie he was. He must have been so happy in his life with you all. Yes, the world would be better with more like him.

H5N1 posted yesterday about what a child said about the shorter lifespans of dogs and cats

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3908835

"Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good
life like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old
continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't
have to stay as long."

Though you all will miss the touch, sight and sound of the good dog, know the love does not end when the vessel breaks. Watch that cat. There might be clues to knowing love is eternal and old friends might be closer than we think.

There's a book I found very helpful at such times. Might be a good addition to the office resources. Goodbye, friend by Gary Kowalski is a lovely collection of how many deal with the loss of a beloved pet and celebrate the shared devotion.

Peace and strength to you and the crew.

hm

[xultar]

20. Sounds like a great friend. I'm sorry for your loss. He'll welcomed

@ the rainbow bridge by many other cherished friends.

[ET Awful]

23. RIP Bobby Lee

He sounds like a wonderful dog. I too wish there were more Bobby Lees around.

[ps1074]

24. I am very sorry for your loss

:hug:

[myrna minx]

25. Aww..,RIP.

[Cathyclysmic]

27. So sorry

:hug:

[no name no slogan]

29. Oh, I'm sorry

losing a pet is so hard. :cry: :hug:

[Terran]

31. Poor Bobby Lee

I'm so sorry to hear this. It sounds like he had a good life while he was with you and your office-mates. Your post was very moving.

[BQueen]

32. They find you, too?

You do him proud in your tribute here - what a great soul you took into your life. All animals give great love, but there is nothing like the way a dog rescued from a hard life regards you.

At least it was quick, and I tend to agree that he will still be around taunting the cat...

:hug:

[I Have A Dream]

33. I'm so sorry for your loss, KM.

:cry:

[Flaxbee]

35. I'm sorry - Bobby Lee looks like such a sweetheart

I lost one of my cats that way - he'd been with us 18 years, was fine one day and then two days later, gone from a fast-growing tumor that had burst through his stomach wall.

Sounds like you two had a great time together, though, and I'm sure he understook all of your kindnesses and love for him.

rest in peace, Bobby Lee.

[Kelvin Mace]

38. he is mourned by quite a few people...

June
Bruce
Linda
Katy
Alexa
Lisa
Richard
Betty

and now the kind folk here.

[smbolisnch]

36. I am so sorry :(

:hug:

[Kelvin Mace]

37. Thanks to all for the expressions of comfort

It is appreciated.

[Left Is Write]

41. Oh...I'm sorry.

He sounds like a very special friend. It's hard to lose a beloved pet. :(

[hunter]

43. Good dog!

I too once had a dog who felt it her sacred duty to keep the UPS guys honest.

"Drop the package right there where you usually do, UPS guy, and no funny business... I'm watching you. Hand the clipboard over, that's right, now take the clipboard back and go, go now, before I'm forced to TAKE YOU DOWN!"

I have loved all my dogs, especially the dogs who were troublemakers.

Even in the most dire circumstances dogs can find some way to be joyful.

[Kelvin Mace]

44. Bobby Lee wagged to the end

which made it so hard.

[hunter]

49. oh...

:cry:

[Kelvin Mace]

53. Yeah,

You know you are doing the right thing, but somehow you feel like you are betraying them.

[merh]

45. So very sorry. :-(

:cry: If it were within my power, I too would make that switch, without hesitation or guilt.

:hug: May your memories give you comfort. :hug:

[KitchenWitch]

46. Tinkie, my cat, has greeted him on the other side!

She loved dogs!

[polmaven]

64. And my beautiful psycho kitty

Teddy is with them as well. His brother Tigger and I lost him to conjestive heart failure 2 weeks ago tonight. DU democats and dogs are, I'm sure, finding each other at the bridge, and will be ggod company for each other.

[miss_kitty]

47. I am so sorry for your loss

these little rascals never stick around long enough, do they? I'm glad you found him and gave him probably the best life a dog could have, filled with food, shelter and lots of love.

And your wishes don't make you a bad person. I know several people....

[calico1]

48. I am so sorry!

Its always hard to lose them but I think its especially hard when they seem fine one day then get suddenly sick and they are gone, just like that. That's how I lost my boy in January of this year. I hope you can find comfort in knowing that this dog, who led such a sad life was able to find love and happiness and the good life he deserved. You gave him love, companionship and security and he was able to have that. :hug:

[Kelvin Mace]

55. Thanks, that was the shock

He was very vigorous and there was no warning.

This reminds me of David Sedaris' essay on the dogs his parents owned and his own cat. He talked about how parts of your life become defined by your animals. I look back on blocks of my life as between a furry set of parenthsis.

[calico1]

59. That is how I felt with my boy.

And he was only 3 1/2 which made the loss more painful. He seemed to be perfectly well but apparently he was sick. My vet says animals hide their illnesses. You are so right about having your life defined by your pets. They are a big part of my life and no matter how many I have had, none of them can replace any of the others.

[BrklynLiberal]

50. BobbyLee sounds like he was a much better soul than most people I know.

I am so sorry that you have lost him.
It was wonderful that you were able to spend his final years together. To BobbyLee that was his true lifetime, I am sure.
He looks like he was a sweetheart, and knew how much you loved him. Treasure the good times, and know that he will always be with you..buried where all good dogs are buried, in your heart.

[CornField]

51. Aw, man... I'm so very sorry

I wish I would have read the posts today before my petty post about the obedience trials. So sorry... wishing you peace.

[bigwillq]

52. Very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[cssmall]

54. I certainly agree with your last statemtent.

That being said, like someone told me when a kitten I had just received died: "He'll be there and watching over you. He'll lead you to someone new when the time comes." And, he will. I know that it's true. :hug: I am sorry for your loss.

[AussieDave]

56. I'm sorry to hear about Bobby Lee

it's always hard to lose a loved friend and companion - bless you both.

[greatauntoftriplets]

57. I am so sorry about Bobby Lee....

He was a good friend to you, and you to him. My deepest condolences.

[flamingyouth]

58. I'm very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Reciprocity]

60. So sorry, please excepted my condolences.

[Mikimouse]

61. KM, I am sorry ot hear about Bobby Lee...

Sounds like he a fine friend. Hugs.:hug:

[Darth_Kitten]

62. He sounds like a great dog

:( I'm very sorry.

[yellowdogintexas]

63. so sorry for your loss. This is a sad doggie day on DU nt

[steely]

65. heartfelt sympathies, KM

I'm sorry for your loss

[fortyfeetunder]

66. Sorry to hear about your furbaby!

What a cutie pie. May he rest in joy at the Rainbow Bridge! :hug:

[driver8]

67. That is one of the sweetest tributes I have ever read...

I am so, so sorry for you loss. Bobby Lee sounds like quite a pooch and quite a friend. You were both lucky to have had each other.

[UrbScotty]

68. Awww, so cute.

My love to you.

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

69. I am so sorry...

Sounds like he was a wondeful companion.

I miss my Nikita dearly, she left us 2 years ago after 13 years.

RL

[philosophie_en_rose]

70. :hugs:

It's so hard to lose a beloved dog.

:hug: