Sunday, January 23, 2011

My Quincy pug has crossed the bridge

Sometime during the night, Quincy passed in his sleep. 

Quincy came into rescue in March of 2009 with Isabelle. They both were in pretty bad shape. 

Three out of four nails on every paw had grown so long that they curled into a circle.
He was blind in both eyes from PK, a condition that could have been treated with proper vet care. 

He weighed 24.75 pounds, far too much for a short pug. He weighed so much that he couldn't even lift his leg to pee like a boy dog.
He had arthritis so bad that he shuffled around instead of walked.
His teeth were so rotten that all but two had to be removed. 
His skin and coat were in horrible shape, dry and lifeless.
He had a mast cell tumor about the size of a thumb tip on his neck and two other smaller tumors. 

But Quincy was a fighter. He did well during his surgeries and through three months of chemotherapy. He lost about 8 pounds and his coat came back to life. As he lost weight, the arthritis improved, and he loved to wander around the back yard, sniffing everything. I can remember being so excited the first time he lifted his leg to mark an azalea bush because he was finally able to pee like a boy. 

I also remember the first time he stood up on his back legs, wanting to get on the couch with me. That was about a year after he came to me. He had lost enough weight and gained enough strength in his legs that he could do it. It's the little things. 

Since he couldn't go for walks, he exercised by swimming. He loved to swim. 


 He was part of the family, enjoying birthday cake


and having his picture taken with Santa.



This woman came to a party, just to hold Quincy and love on him.
He was on television, for a story about our dog park. 
He was in the parade in November.
He presented thank you certificates to volunteers for Pugapalooza, after I snuck him into a meeting covered up like a baby. 
I bought a stroller for him so he could be included in walks around the neighborhood. He would sniff the  air, sometimes standing up in the stroller as if to look out.

Quincy loved his food, like pugs do. When it was time for a meal, he got so excited that he ran laps in the kitchen and barked until I put the food bowl in front of him. When it was time for bedtime treats, he would sit, curly tail wagging, with his head up, waiting patiently for that treat that came from above. 

He loved to sleep with his chin on someone's foot.

He and Isabelle were rarely far away from one another. I would find them snuggled together in one bed, usually the smallest bed on the floor. 

In the last few months, Quincy developed signs of canine cognitive disorder or doggy dementia. He sometimes got "lost" in the house and would bark until I went to bring him back to his bed. He forgot his potty training and had to wear bellybands all the time. That didn't stop him from trying to mark wherever he felt it was necessary to say "Quincy was here." 

Lately, he started to sleep with his chin on my shoulder, snoring softly in my ear. Until it got really loud and I had to move him further down the bed. On cold nights, he liked to start out under the covers, but then he would get hot. Wherever he slept, he liked to be close to me and Isabelle.

Every night after bedtime treats, he would climb in my lap. I held him close, told him I loved him and that he was my Quincy pug. I guess I knew that he and Isabelle would probably never be adopted. Few people are willing to take on a pair of bonded senior dogs with health issues. That was okay, though. He would always have a home with me. After the life he had, it was the least I could do to make sure he was loved and cared for, for as long as I could. 

I would do it all again, even knowing that it would end like this. 

Photo by Erin Kass

Run free, my little Quincy pug. 
Where you are, there's no more dementia, 
no more cancer, 
no more arthritis, 
no more blindness.

You can pee wherever you want. 
You can eat as much as you want.
You can swim or run or nap, whatever pleases you.

The treats and Frosty Paws never run out. 
There is always a lap available.
There is always a sun puddle to nap in.
There is always someone to love you like you deserve to be loved.

Please say hello to Kirsty and Lapis and Sassy. 
They will take care of you and show you the ropes.

Little man, you were so loved. I hope you knew that. 
You will be remembered and missed. 

In memory of Quincy, please hug your furbabies and tell them you love them. 

Quincy, 2009-2011

28 comments:

  1. RIP sweet Quincy!!! I am so glad you knew the love of a family before you had to go!!!!

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  2. Oh my goodness! I didn't realize Quincy's adoption story was so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time! How lovely of you to adopt Quincy and take on the responsibilities of caring for a dog with health issues. I am sorry he passed away and I can read the grief in every word you wrote. We will be thinking of you for a long time to come.

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  3. We are new followers to your blog but wanted to stop by and say we are sorry to hear of your loss. Quincy was a most handsome boy and this is a very nice tribute to him.

    Run Free sweet boy!

    Wags and Licks,
    Mollie Jo & Bobo

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  4. We are so sorry to hear about Quincy :'( At least you were able to give him a good home and family to love him.

    We know you will miss him - we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

    Pugs & Kisses,

    Yoda, Brutus & Ellie

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  5. What a beautiful post. You are an angel for all you did for Quincy. I am so sorry for your loss and for Isabellas loss as well. I hope you find comfort in what you have done for him. I have a senior pug as well and would not have it any different. Love, Stacy, Brutus, and Miley.

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  6. Aww, I am so sorry! Quincy sure had a good home while he was with you. To look at the pictures, to see the difference, how he improved, I'm sure he knew he was in a good place. Now he can run pain free! Tell him to check out my good friend Stubby - he'll have a good supply of Popeye's I'm sure he'll share with Quincy! My thoughts and prayers with you and the rest of your puggie clan in this difficult time *hugs*

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  7. So , so sorry to hear of little Quincys passing. All our thoughts are with you
    Benny & Lily

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  8. Thank you for your comments. I was not his adoptive mom, but his foster mom. I hoped that he and Isabelle would find a perfect forever home together. He wasn't mine on paper, but I did try to care for him the best I could.

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  9. We're so sorry to hear about your sweet QuincyPug, but we were so happy to read about the wonderful last few years he had with you!!! It sounds like he grew quite used to the royal puggy treatment!

    Run free Quincy and tell our buddy Stubby that all of us on this side of the bridge still think about him every day and send all our love and kisses!

    Love,
    S-Dog

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  10. oh sweetie
    i am so sorry for your loss of dear quincy.
    he was sooo lucky to have you!
    i am sending you all of my love.
    xoxoxo
    melissa

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  11. We all have a new guardian angel- Quincy. May he have fun over the Rainbow Bridge.
    Love a sad Noodles

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  12. Dear Aunt Allyzabethe, We wanted to tell you that mom has cried all day long for you and Quincy. We want you to know that if we could we would all drive down there and be with you right now and Noah would sit on your couch, David would lick you, Noodle would snugle with you, I would even let you rub my belly, and mom would hug you all day long. We love you Aunt Allyzabethe and think you are the most wonderful person in the world.

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  13. i am so sorry for your loss of quincy. i think he and isabelle did find a perfect home, with you. bless you for taking care of pugs in need.
    hugs,
    puglette

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  14. I am saddened to hear this~
    My heart goes out to you~

    From reading all this about the quality of life you gave to him - he was very much loved by you and cared for so~

    You gave him a great life and have great memories. Hold your other babies tight tonight and we all are thinking of you~

    Thank you for all that you did/do for the pugs you rescue~

    Run free Quincy~
    ~Katy & pugs

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  15. We will miss you sweet Quincy....Imloved how soft your fur was and how you had that little pink tongue poking out sometimes.

    Hugs
    Jenn

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  16. Oh, I am so sorry to hear of Quincy's passing. I know you will miss him so much. Even though you never planned on being his permanent family, thank you SO much for showing him the love and safety he deserved in his senior years. Being a foster parent is such a special job and I think you must be great at it. I know you were a blessing to him, and him to you.

    Rest in peace, sweet boy.

    Pearl

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  17. RIP sweet Quincy. What a wonderful "home" you gave him and what love he gave in return! Hugs to you all.

    Punchy

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  18. We will sure miss Mr. Quincy. I know Isabella will too, but thank goodness you are there for her. You gave him a wonderful life, and the great thing about our pups is that they live in the moment. He only knew the great home he found with you.

    Kitty and Coco

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  19. So sorry to hear about Quincy's passing. :( Even though you didn't plan on forever, you gave him a wonderful place to spend his golden senior years. You truly did give him a loving, forever home. Give Isabelle some extra snuggles from us, ok? I'm sure she's missing her buddy a lot. We'll miss you too, sweet Quincy!

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  20. Awww poor Quincy. I'm glad he is no longer in pain. You did a wonderful thing and I know Quincy loved you lots.

    Muah,

    Minnie Moo

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  21. We are so sorry to hear about Quincy. We loved reading his story and how he found such love at the end of his life. We are sending pug snorts and good thoughts your way.

    Roxy & Lucky

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  22. We are all so sorry to hear of Quincy's passing. Thank you so much for giving him all the love he deserved. He was very lucky to have you. Please give Isabelle an extra kiss from us for her loss. I'm sure she misses him so.
    Shout out to all my girls. Love you sisters!

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  23. We are so so sorry to hear this news. We take comfort in knowing her was in your care and that he was loved from the time of his rescue til the end. He was very special. Always remember that although he is not there in body.... his spirit is there, resting on your shoulder snoring in your ear.

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  24. You gave so much of yourselves in caring for sweet Quincy. I know he felt so loved and so greatful for all the kisses and love that you gave him. I know there is an empty hole in your hear tonight and Isabelle's too since Quincy went to the Bridge. My friend Stubby and Betty are there,,, I am sure they met her at the gate.
    I send my prayers that your hearts will heal.
    The angels are holding Quincy tonight,,,
    I light a candle for Quincy
    xoxo
    tweedles

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  25. Oh my gosh, I just got a chance to check your blog today and I hadn't heard about Quincy yet. I am so sad. Thoughts and hugs from me and Vito to all of you and especially his sweet sister Isabelle, who must be so confused. :( I'm going to my first foster home meeting on Sunday. I remember the article you sent about fostering, it helped to cement my decision. But this would be so terribly hard.

    Pug hugs,
    Gina (and Vito too)

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  26. I'm so sorry for your loss. Quincy seemed like a sweetie-pie.

    Thank you, too, for your thoughtful and insightful comment on my blog today. I appreciate it.

    Pug love from,
    Sue, Pearl & Daisy

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  27. We've been away and just learned of Quincy's trip over the Rainbow Bridge. Hu-mom eyes are leaking reading your post. We are so sorry but know that Quincy and Isabelle were lucky to find you even if on paper it was just fostering. You were their forever home!

    Drools and licks,
    Minnie and Mack

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  28. Oh, we're very sorry to hear this. Such a shame that Quincy's earlier years were not what he deserved. Thank you, though, for showing him how wonderful life can be.

    Hugs -

    Sarah, Hank and Molly

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