Maralynn Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 I said good-bye to my little dude today. In the last day it became clear that, while his heart was still willing, his body was failing. So I helped give him the easiest way out of the fight he was loosing. He was just nine years old and I only had him for seven and a half of those years. Way too short. He was supposed to work a couple more years then enjoy a long retirement chewing nylabones, harassing the cat and just hanging out being my buddy. When I went looking for Border Collie #2, I wanted a traditionally marked, rough coated male puppy. I came away up with a small, adult, smooth coated male (at least I got the male part!) But there was nothing small about his attitude. He was always ready to take on whatever life brought. Even when that was just hanging out being my buddy. He was frustrating, amusing, challenging, fun and had the most.expressive.face.EVER. When I ended up choosing to train for SAR work instead of herding trials my little go-with-the-flow dog took it in stride and became a wilderness search dog (though I'm sure he would have preferred working sheep). The dog who had rarely been off the farm in his first year of life happily traveled thousands of miles in the back of my car. I honestly don't think he ever intended to loose the fight with cancer. He was a determined, persistent little dog loaded with try and that really shone these last couple months. I was in and out of the vet's office numerous times and several times I wondered if it was the final trip. But he kept bouncing back and making me smile. Even with a red blood cell count down to 13% he still wanted to follow me around the house, go for rides, play tug and tried to figure out how to slip past me to go work sheep. Thanks Little Dude for challenging me to become a better trainer, letting me fulfill a dream of being a SAR dog handler and making me a better person in the process. I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you at the end. You deserved so much better than that stupid cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach BCs Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Rest in peace, Kip. I'm so very sorry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OurBoys Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 I am so sorry for your loss, Mara. Run free, Kipp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simba Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 It's amazing, isn't it, how the spirit can hold things together past limits the body should have... I'm very sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy in AZ Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 I am truly sorry for your loss, Mara. You did the best you could for him while he was sick, and more than that, you provided him with an end to his pain when that was what he needed most--truly the most selfless and loving act we can bestow upon our beloved dogs. Rest in peace Kipp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mdaniels Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I am so sorry for your loss of such a great little guy with such a great big heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I'm sorry Mara. The letting go is always so hard, even when we know it's the right thing to do. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjones Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I'm so sorry. Just remember all the good time you spent together. Samantha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufftie Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 such a face, what a guy. my heart breaks for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Boots Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Cancer sucks. I am so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Awe shoot! Came looking for a post about Kipp perking up. Mara I am so sad for you. Very sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chene Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I've followed Kipp's story, all the updates and pictures, more meticulously than I have any other posts on this board. He is quite the dog - I wish I'd heard about him before all this. Regardless, seeing his expressions in pictures and hearing about his perseverance made me want to meet this beautiful breed even more. I have no words of comfort, only my thanks for sharing bits and pieces of a dog that has touched me, somehow, without even knowing me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Rest in peace, brave boy. I am so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin's person Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Godspeed, Kipp and so sorry for the hole in your heart, Mara. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I am so sorry for you, Mara. I know you did all you could, and that Kipp has had a loving home with you. The grief we feel when we lose them is an indicator of what a wonderful presence they were in our lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnewe2 Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Your posts show your deep love and devotion to your special boy. He lives forever in your heart. Run Kipp run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly's Handler Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Sorry to hear that Kipp has passed Dan & Tilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I'm so very sorry, Mara. I know what a huge hole he must be leaving in your heart. It can never be filled, for sure, but perhaps at some point you can find a new space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloria Atwater Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I'm so very sorry. What a beautiful little dude he was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbear Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Mara, I am so sorry for your loss. Kipp lived a full life but it's never long enough, is it? I hope he and Missy are having a happy reunion. Hugs to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Love those photos of your boy. Good dog, Kipp. Ruth and Agent Gibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Mara, his little face says it all. Undying devotion and loyalty. I am so sorry that his body gave out. I am ever so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Mara, I am so sorry. Run free Kipp, godspeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilyfalk Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Always enjoyed your posts about him. I'm so sorry to hear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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