spider image

Wes Dies

07-17-04

dearone.jpg

We went to Montauk for two weeks and left Wes with our friends who farm. We said he was going to doggie farm camp where it would be his job to chase deer and woodchucks. He loved going to the farm.

While we were gone, he got sick and died. We got a call about a week into it that he was throwing up a lot and seemed listless. Then he stopped eating. We made an appointment for the vet but our friends found him dead the morning he was supposed to go. They didn't think he was going to die. He was six years old.

They buried him at the farm and we left Montauk that morning. Now we're here at the house and his absence is conspicuous. It's hard to accept that he's dead because we had no experience of it. He was buried by the time we got here. It's like he just disappeared. Poof - gone.

Not knowing why he died is driving us crazy. I also feel terrible that he died without us. The people he was with were very fond of him but I wonder if he felt abandoned. I know that if I had been with him I would have recognized the severity of his situation. From a distance I thought he might just be throwing up from eating dead things at the farm.

We got Wes the day that I found out I was pregnant the first time. I miscarried and got pregnant again and Aidan was born a year later. Much of Aidan's babyhood consisted of the three of us lying in bed, me nursing Aidan and Wes pressed up against the other side of me. I have always wanted to make a quilt that depicted our cozy bed like this.

It's so hard to imagine our lives without him. I see him everywhere I look in and around this house.

Dear one, Dear one
can I tell you what I know?
you have given me your treasures
and I love you so

Comments

I am so sorry. What a terrible shock. I wonder if you all could have a ceremony of some sort to have some closure for his loss. *Hugs*

A.J.
Sat 07/17/2004 10:58AM e-mail home page

Wes was a treasure to have loved. He kept me company on many visits and always had time for a talk and a walk. Here is a list of lessons Wes was good at teaching:

1. If you stare at someone long enough, eventually you'll get what you want.

2. Don't go out without ID.

3. Be direct with people; let them know exactly how you feel by piddling on their shoes.

4. Be aware of when to hold your tongue, and when to use it.

5. Leave room in your schedule for a good nap.

6. Always give people a friendly greeting. A cold nose in the crotch is effective.

7. When you do something wrong, always take responsibility (as soon as you're dragged out from under the bed or from the chair).

8. If it's not wet and sloppy, it's not a real kiss. BOY, could he kiss!

Love and Sad, Mom

Mom
Sat 07/17/2004 1:20PM e-mail home page

i'm so sorry christy. he sounds as if he was a wonderful part of the family, and so handsome too. again, i'm sorry.

santosha
Sat 07/17/2004 7:34PM e-mail home page

Hey...
Just wanted to say that I hope you guys are doing better. I sympathize completly. I never thought I would want a dog again after Tyson died but when I saw Wes I told Bill a "wes like" dog would be it. He was such a great dog. Hope your doing better. Bye

Jessica

Jessica
Sat 07/17/2004 8:19PM e-mail home page

I had to read that like six times because my brother's name is Tyson.

Christy
Sat 07/17/2004 9:31PM e-mail home page

Oh, Christy, I'm so sorry to hear that Wes is gone. I never met him, but I loved reading about his misadventures in your blog. I'm sorry.

Maria Wood
Sat 07/17/2004 10:52PM e-mail home page

Hey Christy - so, so sorry to hear this. Hugs!!! I dont know if it helps any, but it sounds like he was poisoned (e.g. ate a poisoned rat ro got into soem other sort of bait)... We almost lost Harri the same way a few weeks after we got him. Again, so sorry!!!! -Shannon

shannon
Sun 07/18/2004 10:03AM e-mail home page

oh, mama. That is so so sad. I'm sorry for your loss.

drublood
Mon 07/19/2004 12:26PM e-mail home page

no worries, chris, your brother is the cockroach of the family. I ain't going nowhere. I had to read it a few times myself. I keep thinking about that picture that I took of him looking out the window in Elmont. I wish I had loved on him more when I had the chance. Lesson learned. Wes will be missed. I love you. -t

tyson
Mon 07/19/2004 1:09PM e-mail home page

I'm so sad to hear about your pup. He was lucky to have had you and your family to care for him.

Jen
Wed 07/21/2004 5:50AM e-mail home page

Oh Christy,
I'm so sorry! It's so painful to lose a beloved pet. I'm thinking about you all.

xox M

Maia
Fri 07/23/2004 12:30AM e-mail home page

Haven't stopped by for awhile.

So sorry to hear of Wes dying. Oh, I hurt for you. I have a dog I'm SO close to, who is nearly 10, and I just have to put the thought of her passing out of my mind every time it enters. I get so sad.

Cori
Fri 07/23/2004 7:53AM e-mail home page

Hi, Christy, Aidan, Steve and Will,
I'm glad we got to see Wes - and the rest of you -last month. He was a fine dog and friend. Now he's romping somewhere in another plane with Mokka. I hope you'll feel better soon. How's Aidan doing with this?
Alexa

Alexa
Sat 07/24/2004 2:51AM e-mail home page