CONNOR

Well...here it is...2004 already...I hope this year brings you all many joyous moments and vivacious bubbly humour as well as the time to enjoy life to the fullest!!!

For us, it begins with a whimper as the time has come to say farewell to our special friend Connor. I guess in my heart I always knew it would come to this -- as we've said so many times over the past few weeks, he never knew when enough was enough -- we've always had to take the ball away from him...so why would now be any different???

He's very thin, very wobbly, and extremely restless. Although not in pain, he's either confused enough or just plain stubborn enough to want to keep on fighting. But we no longer feel that it is in his best interests...although philosophically, I have spent a long time pondering...what is quality of life? When you cherish living and its various joys as much as Connor does, you live for the moment. Even this past weekend, he was still living in the moment...trotting along, chewing on his logs, and still very much in charge of the pups (now 2 years and 2 months old but they'll always be pups to me!).

Suffice to say, all of you that have had to make this same painful decision know that it is very hard to say when is right, neither too early nor too late. I am simply going to have to find strength in the belief that this is a boon for him now...taking the ball away so he can rest in peace as befits such a loyal friend.

One thing I can say with certainty is that we've enjoyed the "extra" time given to us immensely...this summer proved to be such a gift...travelling, swimming, camping, entertaining kids across Canada...we both had a marvellous time...and as for winter activities, I've attached a recent picture in his latest get-up...santa boots, a borrowed sweater and hand-knit scarf for good measure. Not bad for a dog who's always avoided this type of frippery -- he's a handsome fellow still.

Please say a prayer of farewell or light a candle if you feel so inclined, tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 8 pm EDT. I think all of your good wishes the last time backfired a bit because the stubborn fellow rebounded into another 6 months of life! But this time, I trust it will help make his passage serene...ease him into the long sleep he's still so determined to avoid.

Peace and good wishes to you... Carol

From Cindy:

"What a dog!"

From Yaffa:

"Conno, I hope you are enjoying being spoiled rotten and loved to pieces as
I am quite sure to totally deserve. I remember seeing you at Karen's lake-front
cottage one summer and was amazed at the dog who could swim for hours
and never miss a ball. Yo've got quite the personality, stamina and good
nature, and it's obvious that your masters have learned a trick or two from
you too.
He may not always be there, but the warmth he has and is bringing to your
life always will be as long as you let it be. Best friends are forever."

From Heather:

"Amen to all that you wrote. Thanks too for including me in this grieving,
loving circle bringing the time round for Connor to leave this earth, by
gathering up storied memories. The only one I can think of was from when
you, Carol, came out here one summer day with Connor and a newly purchased
expensive toy: a ball on the end of a braided yellow rope. Well, Connor
chewed through the rope in less than an hour, making you wonder, Carol why
you'd bothered. But Con sure looked happy.
What a companion you two have had."

From Lynn H:

"Thank you for this opportunity to send some thoughts about Connor. For
me, he is like that Neil Young song "Forever Young". I see him in all his
splendour leaping and running with such joy -- his coat glistening and
shining in the sun while playing in your front yard."

From Miche:

"Thought about Connor alot this weekend and made a circle of
folks who all knew him pour out some of their beers on the back patio at
Irene's at the The Glads show on saturday - everyone made their own statement
about how he always was his own person and not really another dog - he's
connor, the frisbee loving tennis ball chasing kong eating dog who always introduced
himself to everyone - be it at the farm or at the store - i've many good
memories of connor but i always seem to go back to the first time we met up
at the farm and i spent the first while just barking with him."

From Mat:

"I was just thinking about him the other day: the way he nonchalantly sat in
the passenger seat of my truck as we drove to the store for groceries. Me
and him swimming at the bridge, and walking through the field adjacent to
the farm. He and I got close that summer you and John were in Norway. He's
my favorite dog. If you have some time, whisper that in his ear will you?"

From Meg:

"I have many many memories and whoever wrote the one about Rommel and
Connor at the river bank knew them well. kiss Connor for me and love him up
with a wink or two to him.
I hope Connor is running and catching ball and eating chicken bones, steak,
doritos (the cheesiest kind), and chewing every tennis ball. Connor is
one of my loves and I am thinking the most wonderful thoughts of him
and when the time comes I hope Rommel is there to meet him and maybe
give a growl or two.
I am thinking about Connors long passionate eye locking moments and
then a lick on the nose. That is what Connor was all about.. A sneaky bit
of lovin'."

From Peggy & John:

"I have lots of memories of Connor, racing around the kitchen table, walking
down the canal & chasing his ball. But my recurring memory of him includes
Rommel. You and I had gone for a walk through the woods and down to the
stream. Connor immediately jumped in to Rommel's horror. Connor was having
a wonderful time splashing about while Rommel paced the bank and barked.
Connor then went right across to the other side with such glee. I always
thought he was teasing Rommel as well as just having a glorious time in the
water.
We have one advantage over you - since we never saw Connor ill or old, in
our minds he is the eternal puppy. Animals do die but the memories are
forever.
Peace friend."

Carol (At reprieve time in June...)

It's been a whirlwind time for sure...what I can't believe is just how much
love and caring for Connor has become evident. I keep running into people
asking me about him, telling me a story, letting me know how sorry they
were to hear the original news, that they were thinking of us all last weekend
and were thrilled to hear the final result. The few that have actually seen him
tend to throw their arms round him and either cry or laugh. Con's taking it
all in stride of course...

From Brandon:

I'm a big believer in the triumph of spirit over adversity; Connor has got
moxy to burn, evidently.

This tale dates back to before ARTGUISE was even on the map. I imagine that
it hails from the days when I was still at Wallack's. Nevertheless, you may
recall a time when the back room Birdman beer bouts were a semi-regular
activity, and I was still receiving the newsletter and paying dues. I recall
many a time usurping Connor's 'place' on the couch. He would simply hop up
opposite myself and make bizarre purring noises, in the vein of dog meets
mountain lion meets walrus pup with lozenge lodged in nasal cavity.

I remember being assured by you both that there was little to fear, and that
this odd attempt at communication, be it barely canine, was harmless. " He's
spent most of his time in the company of cats." You would say.

I in turn would bow ground to the master of the couch and jockey over
allowing him first choice, whether that be left or right cushion. Connor
would exhibit his thanks by cozying up and wiping the ropes of saliva from
his muzzle onto my pants in a chummy fashion which also bore no ill will. If
I should have tried at this point to reposition myself away from his spittle
caked snout he would use his paw to insist that movement should hitherto be
kept to a minimum as he had achieved a degree of comfort not to be tampered
with and would go back to his curious mewling. Until such a time that my
allergies forced me to part company. This would usually illicit a dog groan
tantamount to: "Leave my space if you can't stop fidgeting. There is a finite
balance to maintain optimum comfort levels on this sofa and you are
upsetting it!"

For the record, it can be said that Connor has never been selfish of his
slobber; he's more than willing to share the accumulation of its surplus.
Good fellow that.

From Cameron:

Connor is a good dog. Such a good dog that he encouraged me to get my
own dog.

From Chris:

When I think of the farm, Shed Sessions, Resin Scraper or the store, my thoughts always
turn to this excited little black face, staring at me, eager to tear away in a split second's
notice in hyperspace pursuit of a slobbered tennis ball. The endless energy and contented
spirit never ceased to amaze me.
Connor was such a special part of your family and a wonderful friend to so many. Thank
you for introducing us to such an extraordinary spirit that is 'Con Jr.'

R.I.P. | HOME