I have had the privilege of being entrusted to take a big Black Flat Coated Retriever (Eddie) for regular exercise, known as Free Running in the Guide Dogs charity. Each week for the last year my friendly Cocker Spaniel (Roo) and this happy Retriever have teased each other, chased each other, boxed each other and generally had immense fun in each others' company.
On our last walk, his tail wagged as crazily for the 10 minutes or so once we'd parked the car and started our wander around a local park. The teasing was evident and both dogs had to sniff whatever the other was sniffing and wander off into the same hedgerows to check out whether anyone had left them any messages. As we were near the end of a field my Big Black buddy crouched as though he wanted to be sick and then collapsed. My dog, Roo immediately led down close by whilst I checked him over and began to comfort him. It wasn't a hot morning and the fact that he collapsed clearly showed that something was awry. The emergency contact number on his tag was answered very quickly and the details I was able to communicate taken along with giving me reassurance that help would be dispatched as soon as possible.
I saw a dog walker at the other end of te field and decided to shout 'Hello' to try to get their attention and see if they by chance has a bottle of water. Unfortunately they didn't hear my calls but a group of dog walkers on the other side of a hedge saw that I was sat down in the field. Initially they thought I'd hurt myself so they didn't run to get to me until they saw that my big black buddy was led next to me. They advised that as they thought the dog was the issue they'd all run to get to me. Thankfully they had plenty of water so in an attempt to reassure Eddie with a bit of water one of them trickled a but over his gums and tongue. At that time I received a call from the Guide Dogs to confirm that help was already on its' way. They asked if there had been any change in Eddie's condition and it was with sadness that we all realised that Eddie had given up and had passed away. He passed very peacefully with the only obvious distress being the fact that he'd collapsed and that his breathing had been shallower than it should have been. I relayed the sad update and waited for the help that they had dispatched.
Once the walkers realised that there was nothing further that they could do they reluctantly went on their way knowing that the Guide Dogs guys would be with me shortly. I remained comforting Eddie even though it was clear he had departed. I noticed Roo had also moved over and was leaning into him and watching me. The Guide dog help arrived we were able to stretcher him over to their vehicle so that they could take him to the vets for an autopsy. I was asked to allow a Manager for the charity to accompany me when I returned to his blind recipient to break the news. Understandably devastating news to be piled on you so having explained as best I could that there appeared to be no distress I left knowing that his recipient needed some private time to absorb the bombshell. I returned the following day alone so that I could explain the events again and answer any questions that must have been mulled through whilst trying to come to terms with the loss of a dog that provided independence and confidence. Above all that losing a best friend whose loving affection and company brightened each day of the 7 or so partnership years.
This second visit to recount the events was welcomed and we discussed the fact that Eddie passed away having shown all the joy and friendship he always displayed. We also discussed the fact that had he collapsed whilst working in the high street that the distress would have been magnified so some comfort was received in knowing he'd passed away in a free environment, teasing his Cocker Spaniel friend and most importantly seeking out somewhere to get wet! Getting wet was Eddie's number 1 passion. I only remember returning him in a clean dry state on a couple of occasions in all the times I'd had fun exercising him.
I've heard from Eddie's recipient again once he'd been given the news from the autopsy. Eddie had suffered a catastrophic rupture of a tumor on his heart. The vet assured everyone that had he been checked over by a vet that morning then he'd have been given a clean bill of health. There was absolutely nothing that anyone could have done to prevent it.
What one did the other would follow
The videos in this post were taken a week before our last walk together on a warmer morning.
An untimely exit but somehow a nice one. Rest in peace big guy!
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