Hobbs: October 31, 1999 – February 15, 2013
My heart had been heavy, for quite a few weeks, my mind laboring intensely about what was the “kind” thing, the “right” thing to do. I’d read so many articles about euthanasia, understanding not only what it was, but when it was appropriate, and, like most things, everyone has an opinion. Actually, I had probably already made the decision as I watched the decline of my good friend, Hobbs; however, I wanted validation about my decision. Eventually, I ran across a short article by a vet that said she has simple criteria: Think of 3 things that your dog really loves to do, and when he is no longer interested in 2 of those, it may be time to consider euthanasia.
Hobbs’s 3 things, in order were:
1. Eating – This dog would eat all day if you let him. He LOVED to eat.
2. Walking – In his better sighted days, if he saw me grab the leash, it was time for the Hobbs happy dance, spin move, of course, accompanied with much barking!
3. Chasing – He loved to chase anything that moved fast, or heck, that moved for that matter. His specialty was squirrels and rabbits – His overall record, though, was an unblemished 0-1000, or whatever. He never caught one, but then it was always about the chase for him. 
Last moments in the sun
As many of you know, I found out in October of 2011 that Hobbs was diabetic. After a bit, we finally got his diabetes under control, somewhat. It was always a struggle, as his body seemed resistant and his numbers were consistently high. Eventually, the first thing to go was the chase. We’d see a rabbit on our walks and he’d make a perfunctory move towards the rabbit, or squirrel, but it was more reflex.
Next to go, or decline sharply, was walking. We used to walk 5 miles / morning. Eventually Hobbs would walk every other day with me, then every 3 or 4 days, eventually once a week. He was down to about 2 miles, but still happy to go. Around December of 2012, he was down to 2 blocks. Yesterday, when I gave him his final walk, it was all that he could do to make it a 1/2 of a block.
Finally, eating. When I would make a move towards the kitchen, Hobbs was always on my heels. Always. Until about a month ago, that was the case. Then, though he still had an appetite, he was less interested in following me. About two weeks ago, he lost all of his appetite, only smelling the food and walking away, preferring his water bowl instead. The doctor prescribed eating stimulants, which worked to a point, but ceased to function about 3 days ago. He just wasn’t interested in eating. He was eating about 4 cups of food per day (his chicken, brown rice, broccoli that I made for him). In the last 3 days, he probably ate about 2 or 3 cups, in total.
I decided that he’d had enough, that I would not subject him to further tests, additional medicines, poking or prodding. On Thursday morning, I called Lap of Love, a veterinary hospice, and scheduled an appointment for Hobbs for 4:00 PM on Friday. During all of Friday, I doted on him until he got tired of my petting and went over the corner to be by himself. He’s never been a lapdog. It was a beautiful day, mid-60s, sunny, a little breezy.
I took him for his 1/2 block walk, spent about 20 minutes in the back yard with him, then went to buy him some lunch. Lunch was 12 Chick-Fil-A nuggets, which he ate immediately. It was not with his usual watch-your-fingers-gusto, but he seemed to enjoy them, then he went right back to sleep.
As he had been a part of Vera’s life, too, I called her to let her know about it. She rearranged some of her meetings to make sure that she could be with me to support me and to help send him off. The procedure was quick, painless, and quite peaceful. I cried. I missed him terribly, but knew that I had done the right thing.
Afterwards, I went to my friend James’s house and we had a party to celebrate Hobbs’s life. James used to watch him for me when I’d go on various trips. We both knew that had Hobbs been there, he would have been looking at each of us, waiting for “the hook up”, in other words, something from our plate. We laughed a lot about his antics. It was a nice release.
This morning, I awoke about 4:00 AM, the time that Hobbs would awaken me for one of his bathroom breaks. He’d come into the room, shake, making noise with the ‘bling’ on his collar, then walk out of the room towards the back door. My job, of course, was to follow, open the door, wait for his return, open the door again, close it, then go back to bed until needed again. I was well trained! 
For sure, I’ll miss my friend. There’ll never be another like him. For now, I won’t have another dog. I’ve decided to wait at least a year and see how I feel about it. It was great being able to spend 13 years with such a special guy!!!
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Paul,
I’m so sorry to hear Hobbes’ work here on earth is done, and my heart hurts for you. Thank you for sharing the story of his passing here… I’m sure it will help others who are struggling with the same decision. He was a very special dude and will be missed.
Thanks, Anna. He was a very special guy and I will miss him, but just thinking about him brings a smile to my face, always.
Beautifully written, Cuz. That was one lucky dog, and vice versa. So sorry you had to make the decision, but it’s good you felt it was the right time to do so.
Thanks, Micki! Yes. I was lucky to have had the pleasure of his companionship for 13 years!
I’m sorry to hear the news of Hobbs but I believe you made the right decision at the right time. He was truely a friend you’ll never forget.
ken bello recently posted..Irondequoit Bay (& angry birds)
Thanks, Ken. He was the best!
Paul, My heart goes out to you on making this hard choice and the resulting loss of friend and “family” member. Hobb’s will live on in warm and happy memories with the knowledge he’s no longer suffering. You made the right and most loving decision.
Thanks, Earl. I remember that you had to make the same decision a not so very long ago, with Foster.
Paul… so so sorry to hear about Hobbs. I felt like I knew him from your writings here, which was always a well deserved tribute to a great friend. I know how painful the loss is. You certainly have a lot of great photos that celebrate what a great life and friend he had in you.
Thanks, Mark. I most certainly do have a lot of photos.
He’ll have his own little space in my office so that I can look at him whenever I want to. I sent Vera home with a framed photo of him, too. It was an absolutely wonderful life!
I was looking at a photo you tweeted showing the unusual weather you are experiencing in Charlotte and I laughed, thinking how much you would dislike such cold. I had a vision of you and Hobbs, two best mates, keeping warm in your house and it brought a huge smile to my face. And then, a few tweets further down I saw another tweet from you and no sooner that I read it, a chill went straight through me as if the winter wind in Charlotte had made its way to me across the oceans and my smile instantly turned to tears. Memories of my own dog came flooding back. I always thought of him a little whenever you wrote about Hobbs. I too had to make that dreaded choice. I’ve been fortunate in my life to have had few occasions when my heart has ached but my heart is aching now. A part of me had known this was coming as I am sure you did but it doesn’t make it any easier. I am deeply sorry for your loss Paul.
Cedric Canard recently posted..Comings and goings
Thank you so much for those words, Cedric. I appreciate them. I find myself, throughout the day, going between happiness and sorrow in a matter of moments. From smiles to tears, then back again. Nothing unusual, I’m sure.
As I watched the snow come down today, I thought of how much Hobbs used to enjoy burrowing through the snow, using his nose like a plow. I thought: Were he feeling better, he would have loved a day like today, romping around the yard, enjoying life as he was wont to do..
Yes. I had known this was coming for some time, yet, I looked and looked, hoped and hoped, to see any sign that I wouldn’t have to make the decision, but that sign never came. I, too, have had few such decisions where my heart was aching so, and for that I am pleased.
Hobbs was a lucky canine to have you to lovingly look after him all of his life. I know it was hard to let him go. I salute your courage in doing what you knew was the right thing. You will be fine, with Hobbs forever “regulating” over you, thankful for your kindness and love. Best buds til the end of time…
Thanks, Deb. I think that I was most certainly fortunate to have such a cool dog “regulate” my life. He was there through everything. In a way, though I miss him terribly, I was glad that I could summon up the courage to do what I thought was necessary.
Just like you, I cried. I am sorry for the loss of your friend and member of the family. I remember the time I met him in your car. He was startled to see a stranger get in the car but after a couple of sniffs he allowed me to give him a few scratches. And, those tears are a sign of a man touching feelings and part of our healing. I cried.
Monte Stevens recently posted..My Little Pony
Thank you, Monte. I’m glad that you got to meet Mr. Hobbs. As you know, he knew no strangers, so if you ever were a stranger, it was for about 10 seconds, then you were buddies for life, as far as he was concerned.
Hi Paul. Sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like you made a merciful decision at the right time. Sounds like you had a long friendship. Did you say recently that you made a photo book about him? May his memory be a blessing to you.
Regards,
~Eric
Eric Jeschke recently posted..Split image focusing makes a comeback
Thank you, Eric. I’ve not made his book, yet, but I will probably start on it in a couple of weeks. I’ll probably print 4 of them, one each for Vera, Tony, Pedro, and myself. I think that it would be a nice memorial.
Paul, sorry to hear about Hobbes.
When you’re my age, you’ve gone though this at least one time.
You did right by your friend.
chuck Boyd recently posted..48-Hours…Just 2 days…
Thanks, Chuck. This was my first time, but truthfully, I’m sure that it would be just as hard any subsequent times.
Paul, I am so sorry. I read this through my tears and like so many others, I cried for you, for dear Mr. Hobbs, and for all the times I have faced this decision. All that saves us from crippling grief and, yes, some guilt is that they do have a way of letting us know that they are ready to go. Thank God for that blessing. If only they didn’t leave such a gaping hole in our hearts. Ah, but if they didn’t fill our hearts with all that love and joy what a blessing we would miss.
You and Mr. Hobbs were lucky to have found one another. Each tear you shed is a small price to pay for all the laughter and love he gave you. I know he knew somehow how grateful he was to have you as his protector and companion. Be well, friend.
Anita Jesse recently posted..When Two Is Better Than One
Thank you so much, Anita. I don’t know if he was ready; I sure wasn’t ready for him to go, doubt that I ever would have been, truthfully. I just couldn’t subject him to more and more, especially giving the diminishing returns. He was not improving, nor even remaining stable. And yes, there is a HUGE hole in my heart, but that’s, as you stated, as a result of him filling it up so much!
Sorry to hear of Hobbs leaving, Paul, but it was the right decision. It’s been a month and a half since I lost Allie and not a day goes by that I don’t think about it. It hurts – and it hurts longer than I thought it would. But, as they say, “life goes on” and it will get easier. And maybe one day you’ll be ready for another friend to liven up your day and create new memories.
John – Visual Notebook recently posted..Flash! Photographer Takes a Walk in Snow!
Thanks, John. I’m sure that I will continue to think of him often. I’ve moved most of his stuff around, gotten rid of the medicines, cleaned up the water and food bowl and put them away, but his bed remains there, by the fireplace, were he spent so many hours. I like to look at it as I walk past it and remember seeing him curled up right there. Eventually, I will put the bed in the closet waiting, perhaps, for a new guest.
I’m a big time dog person, so I’m sure that I’ll have another one in due time. For now, time for a little time off.
Paul, I am very sorry for you about that loss of your companion for such a long time. This certainly was an awfully hard decision, certainly inevitable after that diagnosis but not a bit easier – the right thing to still does hurt tremendously in that case.
Giving the remembrances time for presence in your days sounds perfect, and with their fading over time new companions can find a place in your heart. In our age we don’t need to rush things any more but can cherish slowness, I guess.
Markus Spring recently posted..Nightly Encounter
Thanks, Markus. It was a difficult the decision, but one that I was pretty certain of, even though it was very difficult. Nothing but good memories, though.
Paul, I’m truly sorry for your loss! And it was certainly the right thing to do, at the right time – although that might not have made it easier I guess.
But all in all, it really sounds like a happy ending. I mean, can we aim for more than happy memories when we part?
Thomas recently posted..A walk in the snow – and some thoughts on a recent episode from “The Grid” by Scott Kelby
Thanks, Thomas. It was a tough loss, but I have nothing but happy memories of my good friend, Hobbs.