Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Our Cody Bear


I'm struggling to write anything and I think I'm in shock.

Cody was called to the puppy park in the sky tonight.

After 2 years of hearing he could go at any time it was much more upsetting than I thought it was going to be.

Cody had a grand life of 14 years and 8 months. The last two years weren't perfect but he was happy and sometimes that's all a puppy wants.

Cody had a jealous streak a mile long and if attention was being paid to anything his size or smaller he had to get in the middle and make sure you knew he was there. When Cody could hear he would nudge in between Bob and I if he heard us kissing (and yes sometimes we made smooching noises just to see him try and separate us). When Rocky was still with us you couldn't pet him or talk to him without Cody going out of his flippin' mind and barking the house down. Heck, he was stone cold deaf for about a year but he somehow always knew if Amber was up on our laps. He would wake up from a snooze, lift his head to see what was going on and drag himself up if either kitty was in the area.

Cody was also vain. Attention hog that he was he had to hear how handsome he was. I didn't even think about it until we met our last vet. She couldn't believe how Cody needed to hear how handsome he was or that he was the center of the universe. (Maybe it's our fault as Emma also needs this kind of re-assurance from time to time)

In the end he was just a great companion. Bob and I talked about how we were going to cope without our sidekick. Since we sleep at opposite ends of the clock there are many times when Cody would be a 'jobsite' puppy for Bob or a shadow to me. Having had two dogs for most of our marriage I didn't realize how wonderful it would be to have only one dog who looked to you for fun.

Rocky and Cody together ran me ragged and I won't have more than one dog at a time again. Whatever Rocky did Cody had to follow suit and they fed off each other's energy. When Rocky passed Bob and I turned our attention to Cody thinking he would be horribly upset and adrift. What we didn't expect was for him to blossom and bask in the glory of being the only dog in the house. We used to think that Cody would fall apart without Rocky as he followed him every where but maybe Cody was really meant to be a one dog show.

Now we have no one to look to so our grief is our only companion.

It's quiet here for the first time in years. Cody had breathing problems most of his life and in the past two years panting, snoring, coughing, hacking, what have you were the normal noises of everyday life. Now it's eerily silent. And sad.

But I'm a believer and it helps to know Cody is now pain free, tumour free, running around and chasing Rocky giving him hell for hiding from him for so long.

19 comments:

Megan Frampton said...

Oh, Cindy, I send you my best. I am glad you got to have such a great time with Cody, and am glad he is pain-free now. My condolences to you.

Holly said...

OMG Cindy! I'm so sorry I didn't see this sooner. Oh sweetie, how awful! I know he lived a long life and is in a better place now, but that doesn't really help YOU much, does it?

((((((((CINDY)))))))))))

I'm sending positive thoughts your way. :(

Rosario said...

Oh, no, Cindy, so sorry to hear this! I've been reading about Cody on your blog for so long that I felt as if I knew him. My condolences, and a big hug!

CindyS said...

Thanks Megan!

Holly - It took me most of the night to write it up - I actually put up a line on Facebook first because a whole post seemed daunting. Thanks hon, I know you understand about puppies and the joy (and terror ;)) they give us.

Rosario - Oh, hon, thanks so much! I've been thinking of you often and hope you are settling in in your new digs.

I'm wondering what sleeping will be like today - in the past 6 months I learned to ball up my duvet cover over my ear (making room for me to breath) so that Cody's snoring would be dulled down to a slight roar. Bob woke up at 3am after I went downstairs on the computer. I think the silence woke him up.

CindyS

Marg said...

Cindy, I am so sorry to hear about Cody. Losing a pet is always very hard!

nath said...

((((((Cindy)))))) I'm so sorry to hear about Cody. He was a great dog and he lived a good life :) He's in a better place now after two hard years.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Cody, but at the same time, it is lovely to read about how happy he was with you and Bob, and how much you loved him.

Sending a big mental hug your way.

Dev said...

Oh Cindy, I'm so very sorry. Cody was an amazing part of your life. I will keep you and Bob in my prayers.

Mollie said...

Cindy,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Our family has a 14 (almost 15) year old Lab and we know that everyday we have with her is just icing on the cake.

For animal lovers losing your pet is no less devastating than losing any other member of your family.

We know we'll out live them and wonder whether the pain of losing them is worth it, but I think our lives would be much less complete if we missed out on the joy that those little fur faces bring into our lives.

I know that God has a special place in heaven for our beloved four legged friends.

Kat said...

Cindy, I'm so sorry to read this. It's obvious from your previous posts how much Cody means to you. *big hugs*

Bob & Muffintop said...

(( Cindy & Bob))

So, so sorry for your loss.

Our 14 year old sheltie mix passed away two summers ago and we miss terribly still. It's very lonely surfing on the 'puter without her lying beside me. :(

Angela James said...

I'm sorry to hear this, Cindy. Expected or not, anyone who reads your blog knows how much you loved him. Our fur babies are a huge part of our lives, sometimes even more so than our relatives.

Rowena said...

Oh goodness Cindy, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm gonna miss the pictures and the stories about Cody!

(((((Cindy)))))

Big Hugs!

~ames~ said...

I'm so sorry Cindy. Yes he is in a good place now, but he'll still be missed. I'll miss seeing posts about him.

{{{{{{Cindy & Bob}}}}}}}}

And he really was the cutest big dog ever.

Jenster said...

Oh Cindy. I'm so very sorry. You're right, though. At this very moment he's running and jumping and having a big time with absolutely no breathing problems!

Hugs and prayers for you and Bob.

LinnieGayl said...

Cindy, I'm so very sorry to read this. You gave him such a wonderful life. Hugs to you and Bob.

C2 said...

Oh no! I'm so so sorry!

(((((((((Cindy and Bob))))))))))

Kristie (J) said...

Oh Cindy. I am SO sorry to hear about Cody. I know what great 'parents' you and Bob were to him and what an important part of your family he was.
(((((hugs to you and Bob)))))

ReneeW said...

(((Cindy & Bob))), just back from a few days of vacation and was so sorry to hear about this. Well-loved pets leave such a hole in our lives. But I'm sure there is a special place for Cody in heaven. Your post is a wonderful tribute to a wonderful dog. He left so many happy memories. Best wishes and a great big hug to you both.