For the last 12 years I have had a near-constant work companion. Whenever he could, Hector spent most of his day somewhere not far behind me in my office. And now he won't anymore. Over the last couple of months it became apparent that he was suffering with heart failure. He got weaker but was still obviously enjoying life, even if he spent most of it asleep, like the old man he was.
This week, however, he deteriorated rapidly and this morning he made his last visit to the vet.
Hector was an enormously charismatic dog. He was the runt of his litter and came to us a frightened, confused and very dejected pup when maybe six months or so old. But once we had won his confidence he rewarded any affection from us, or anyone else, with much love in return.
No one could claim Hector was bright, even by the standards of a cocker spaniel. He never worked out what a ball was for. He was frightened of rabbits and most white dogs. His only defence was to bark once, whilst walking away, backwards. But he was amazingly obedient and could be trusted without a lead because he always came when called and never crossed a road without permission. More than anything, he was the biggest softy on earth who simply loved life. And now he's left a mighty big, Hector shaped, hole in life that will take a while to come to terms with.
RIP Hector. You heard more conversations about economics, tax and accounting than any dog should reasonably suffer and never once complained as long as another walk came along sometime soon afterwards. I will miss you.
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So sorry to hear this. Dogs leave an enormous hole in our lives when they go.
Indeed
That’s such bad news, Richard. He sounds like he was a great companion. Your description of his characteristics and attributes made me smile. That’s a good memory for you to have. Hector RIP
Thanks Ralph
I’m sorry for your loss.
We tend to outlive our cats and dogs, so all pet owners know there is always a lot of grief at the end. The only consolation is to know that you gave them a good life while you could and didn’t allow any unnecessary suffering at the end.
I think we hit the end right. He wagged his tail for the vet even though he was so tired
A very difficult time, I know. My condolences. In a few weeks, you might want to consider adopting one of the many small furry folk abandoned after lockdown, or just abandoned.
Not for now
We’ll see
Hey ho Richard, the big disadvantage to dog ownership, their short lives compared to ours and the subsequent heartache when they have to go. I’ve been there a few times myself. Our oldest dog, a Bassett, is now 8 or so years old and fine for now, but in a few years time, which will pass all too quickly…..
My commiserations. But he obviously had a fabulous life he might well not have had if you hadn’t taken on the ‘runt of the litter’, as we used to be told not to do.
The earliest dog I can remember was Peggy, a minature shetland sheep dog. Also a runt of the litter dog, timid and quiet. Chosen by my Mum, who was the kind of person to pick the runt, out of sympathy for the underdog. Which were reflected in her politics.
He was the best dog I’ve known or had
Unsure if there will be another
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear
Read that today….
Fabulous dogs (not surprisingly we have one aswell) they are all completely bonkers and all the more rewarding for it. My sympathies.
Wishing you and your family well – this is always a moment to grieve, but you know that Hector will have no more pain or indignity, and can rejoice that this is so.
We take it for granted that animals don’t have the same emotions and responses that humans have – but the evidence is mounting that all living things can experience loss and know some form of sadness when one of their number is ill or dies – that goes for plants as well as animals, and we forget the unity of life at our peril.
All the best for you and yours!
Peace and love
Jeni
Thanks Jeni
I also have a little dog who is not very bright and barks at any passing dog but is very gentle and affectionate.
My sympathies to you and the family at a difficult time. As they say, grief is the price we pay for love.
Thanks to you and all who have commented
Appreciated
Commiserations to you and your family, Richard.
I echo the comments of my fellow correspondents.
Our canine friends occupy a special place in our affections because they show us an unconditional affection in return. They thus teach us an important life lesson.
Agreed
And he was the dog of my sons childhoods
For me the best dog I have ever had
Ach, so sorry to hear this Richard.
There’s something about dogs, they get right under your skin…
They do
Big family reminisce about him tonight
We did the right thing for him today
But it’s still sad to not have him around
Sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear this, we have experienced similar. Give it a while to come to terms and I think you will realise Hector would have wanted you to share your life with another.
Desp
I am not convinced as yet. As he overlapped with our previous cocker, Rosa, it’s many years since we did not have a dog. But it’s a very big commitment and will need to be thought about. I don’t rule it out though.
So sorry to hear this. I understand how you feel. Our last dog, the sweetest of gentle hounds, died before his time, having developed bone cancer (which apparently blue greyhounds are prone to). It was very hard to do the right thing by him, but necessary. Thinking of you.
Beforehand I found this really tough. The house is going to be very empty. But I feel very sure his time had come and we had to say goodbye. The vet was brilliant as well. I must write and tell her.
Ah Richard, I’m sorry to hear this – his name suited him btw.
Our dogs live on in our memories I find, proving that they were indeed part of our lives. And you were brave to let him go because you also loved him. You did the right thing by him, that’s for sure.
There’s no agreement in the family on where the name came from. I thought he was Hector the Inspector from an HMRC advert. My wife thinks it was Hector from Hector’s House, and the eldest thinks it was Greek mythology which was reading about. Either way, it suited him.
Pets are family members and deeply loved and mourned as such. Sincere sympathy for your loss.
Thanks
A lovely wee spaniel. I’m very sorry you lost your friend, but you gave him the best kind of life any dog could ask for, and I reckon that really matters.
Hector had more walks than most dogs. Whenever I needed a break to work out how to solve a problem, or sometimes to just make a long call I had only to pick up a lead and we were off. Not that we used the lead much. He learned that when I pointed to my feet he had to walk to heel and did. In fact most instructions were hand signals, not words, and he always obeyed. I doubt I will have a dog who does that again. And like a sheep dog his great pleasure seemed to be in obeying, so long as a lot of fuss was made at some point, which it always was.
Sorry to hear about poor wee Hector. Your tribute is almost making me miss him and I never met him.
It’s very odd not to be met by a wagging tail this morning. Even yesterday he managed that, even if he was almost too tired to get up.
So sorry for your loss. The loss of a beloved pet really is an awful thing, even though we expect it.
Thanks
My condolences on your loss. Every death is a tragedy, no matter how inevitable it is in the long run.
It is part of dog ownership, but it’s still a big blow. Some tears were shed yesterday. And there is no wagging tail this morning.
Bringing tears to my eyes when I read your about your loss. I lost my beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel,, Skye last year. She was the only dog I had ever had, and when she died unexpectedly I was devastated. So sorry for your loss.
I admit I’ve been through this before. But that doesn’t prepare you
Thanks for your comment. Are you thinking of having another dog?
We still have another cavalier thanks Richard, so she keeps us going.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. My heart aches for you and your family. They stay with you always; but still leave a huge hole when they leave. You always know it is the price for having them and the joy they bring to your life; but that doesn’t make it any easier when the time comes to pay it. Much love. X
Thank you
So sorry to hear that. Pets are much loved members of the family. My condolences to you.
Regards,
Craig
Thanks
It is truly true that no one who has not had a dog will be able to know how much we loved and miss them when they finally disappear. Much encouragement Richard.
Agreed
Sorry for your loss. In general, dogs are so much better than people.
I would choose people overall, but he was great at being a dog who existed to give and accept affection
Aww, RIP dear Hector, what a lovely soul indeed. Animals as we humans like to call them, are the real angels.
🙂
Sorry for your loss Richard. Let’s hope reincarnation exists and he is putting all your economics and political knowledge to good use.
🙂
Beautifully written tribute, Richard. Our canine friends bring such enrichment to our lives and you express so clearly our feelings when we lose their companionship. Thank you for sharing.
🙂
My condolences, Richard. It is always painful (I sometimes think disproportionately so) to lose a treasured dog. They make such good companions.
Thanks Andy
RIP Hector… hope you’re doing all right, Richard.
Thanks Howard
Out with younger son today
Talked about Hector and both agreed we cut short his last few days which may have been very uncomfortable for him
We’ll miss him, but he will always be a legend in our family
Really sorry to hear about the loss of Hector, It’s very hard to lose a pet, they are so entwined with our everyday lives. The compensation is that the leave us with lovely memories.
He has, thanks
[…] small part of this my be reaction to losing Hector last week – some sleep was lost in his final days and I need to catch up. During this week I have […]
I’m so sorry, Richard, and for your family too. It’s such a hard decision to come to, and knowing you did the right thing is not much help at this point.
Sending you all big hugs.
Thanks
There remains a Hector shaped hole in life
We’ve had other dogs. But he was something very special