Friday, December 30, 2011

The Vigil

I mentioned a few days ago that Bubba was not doing well, and we were having problems keeping him on his feet.  He's been managing quite well with our help this week and I wasn't worried too much about him. Yesterday he was having a bit more difficulty but together we managed and he seemed fine.  However, last evening he came into the office, lay down and fell into what seemed like a deep sleep.  Our attempts to rouse him were unsuccessful and afterwards I noticed that Bubba was shivering.  Thinking it was a 'focal seizure' I put a coat on him, and covered him up hoping it would pass.  It did somewhat, but Carl stayed with him through the early hours of the morning.  I got up about 3 AM to check on him, and let Carl get some rest.  There has been no change.  He is warm and his breathing, continues to be slow and deep.  He seems comfortable, and really appears to just be in a deep sleep.  However, he is a little responsive to my talking to him, and shortly I'll wake Carl to see if we can get Bubba to wake up and get him on his feet.

Nearby is Bubba's life companion, Toby, who has not left his side, even at my insisting that he go out, he won't leave him.  Just inside this circle and watching over the two is Sam.  I wish they could tell me what they know.  When my eyes met Toby's, there was an instant that I think he may have.  I am feeling an old wound in my heart opening once again.    

58 comments:

  1. Oh Dear Kim,I feel for you so much.
    You have such strength in these difficult times.
    Big hugs.XX

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  2. There's so much care winging Bubbas way from all corners of the globe .

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  3. Dear Bubba, surrounded by such love. Keeping him and you close to my heart today.

    xx

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  4. Awe, Kim, I will say a prayer, and I will also say again, that these pets are all so lucky to have you and your family! Poor Toby, yes, he know's something even if he can't speak out and tell you. Keep us posted.

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  5. Hello Kim,
    I don't know how you do it. Your heart is made of Gold. I read your post and all I can do is cry. I think of you and Carl and just don't know how you 2 do this. I would be a wreck, but they say God gives you strength to go through anything. He is definitely looking down on you and Carl. Hope that Bubba comes out of what ever it is he is going through. Toby is so sweet to stay with him by his side. Bubba is truly lucky to have Toby and you and Carl to take care of him.
    Please keep us posted.
    Ana

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  6. Since we had been in touch just before heading to bed Thursday night, we knew to keep Bubba in our thoughts -

    It takes human hearts as special as GR ones to be such GReat and caring pawrents -

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra, Golden Khousins Merdie & Harley, and Phyll

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  7. Oh my heart goes out to you from Scotland x x

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  8. Sweet Toby just knows that Bubba is having a hard time. 2011 has been such a heartbreaking year for you and Carl. Your sensitivity to these situations has been more than admirable...and I'm hoping for the best.

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  9. Oh Kim - thoughts & prayers coming Bubba's way. I don't know how you and Carl keep your strength. Hugs to Toby too - keeping companionship with his good buddy.

    Woofs
    Nadine & Golden Neeli

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  10. I am praying for you and Bubba today. There is so much love in these pictures, Kim. To see Toby with Bubba just warms my heart. God Bless you and Carl for the heartbreaking work you do and the love you give.

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  11. You are all in my thoughts and prayers today! Sending a special hug of support and "thanks" to you my friend,
    ~K

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  12. The look on Toby's face just breaks my heart. It is in times like these that our furry family needs us the most so I am glad they have you and Carl by their sides. Always. My hope for Bubba is that he wakes up well rested and continues to enjoy life.

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  13. I will pray for you all that Bubba will be alright !

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  14. oh no, I hope he perks up, I don't want this to end badly......

    posted about Molly and her trip to the vets yesterday on todays post, her biopsies show her lumps are not cancerous.......YEAH!!!!

    Gill in Canada

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  15. Oh, Kim

    So sorry to hear about poor Bubba, we will keep him in thoughts and prayers. As you have guess, Toby probably does know what is going on, the day my first husband died (he had progressive illness) I knew he was going and stayed on his bed with him the whole day so that I knew I would be there when he needed me to let him go. Sometimes you just know you are needed, and that's how Toby probably feels. I hope for the best for sweet Bubba.

    Heidi, Tucker and Daisy

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  16. Sorry to hear about Bubba. I honestly don't know how you do it with all of the older dogs you have there. I think I would constantly have a broken heart.

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  17. Sending you good thoughts........

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  18. Oh Kim, we are thinking of all of you at Golden Pines, and sending warm thoughts your way.

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  19. These pictures are priceless! Kim, my heart breaks for them and for you and Carl. I honestly don't know how you do it.. but I do believe that God gives us all different 'gifts' and strengths. Yours is one I admire in a big way because it reflects a compassionate, loving, kind heart.
    Praying for you all...

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  20. Kim, My heart is aching for Bubba, for Toby, and for you and Carl. I hope that Bubba has a miracle. My thoughts are with you and I'm sending you all the strength that I can muster. Your friend, KB.

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  21. I will pray for you and yours

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  22. Paws crossed. Toby is obviously a special boy to sit vigil. I worry about my two fur-girls... the wee one in particular would be lost without her "Sis-ma".

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  23. Hugs to everyone... poor Bubba. Such sweetness, sigh...

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  24. oh kim.
    first this morning, hearing of kelly on angus's site and now your own bubba. and bubba i feel i know!
    his life force is waning... and i suppose it is the way we all would wish to go, simply to sleep deeply until the last breath. what is so heart rending is toby and also sam... keeping watch and not leaving his side. oh my God.
    i just don't see how you can do this over and over. you are a marvel. you and carl both.
    my love and His strength to you.
    dear heart,
    tammy j

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  25. Our hearts are just breaking for Bubba and all of you at Golden Pines.
    Its just so sad- and now to have your wound opened again is just too much. You have not healed.
    What love there is from Golden Pines for one another! The bond is so much love.
    love
    tweedles

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  26. Holding you in our hearts today.

    Buzzy, the Pip and Camille

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  27. We are wishing on the cresent moon for Bubba to feel peace
    love
    tweedles

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  28. We wish you and Bubba the best. Sometimes the best is not what we want, but we still hope for the best. Give Bubba and Toby a few extra pets and hugs from all of their fans and followers.

    Mogley G. Retriever

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  29. Oh Kim, I am am so sorry to hear about Bubba. But just think what a blessing it would be if he just quietly drifted off. It's what we always wish for for ourselves and our pets. I'm sending him positive thoughts and prayers, hoping that he is at peace and pain free.

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  30. Best wishes to you. In addition to therapy work with our Goldens we serve as foster parents to Golden rescue. Our current foster is a wonderful senior boy who has been with us for a year. Lately he has had more and more 'bad' days. My heart goes out to you during this time.

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  31. Dear Kim, My heart hurts for you today, for Carl, Toby and all your other pups. What devotion Toby has not to leave Bubba's side-reminds me of the love you and Carl have for these furry ones. Sending prayers up today, for grace and peace.
    Love, Noreen & Reggie

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  32. I hope with all my heart that this is a peaceful time for Bubba and all those who love him. You are in my thoughts. Big hugs from all at Mucky Boots.

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  33. keeping you all in our thoughts...

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  34. Lots of love and prayers for comfort and peace sent your way!!

    AROOOOOF!
    Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

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  35. My heart breaks for Toby. I've had close pairs that have suffered when one left before the other. It'll take a lot of strength on your part to see him thru this. You're all in our thoughts.

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  36. Bubba is so fortunate to be surrounded by such love. We know he can feel it.

    We send our healing prayers to Toby,it's so sad to watch a good friend leave.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  37. Sweet, sweet Bubba... Sending you loads of love and prayers.

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  38. Oh it hurts my heart so I know it is a big big wound in yours. I am so sorry. They are all so lucky to have you to care for them emotionally and physically. Sending you all big hugs and an extra boost of emotional strength to get through these times.

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  39. You have a gift that not many folks possess, Kim. Thanks from all of us canines, for going the distance over and over again... Nuzzles to Bubba and all his buddy's. Tucker.

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  40. Kim, all I know is that if I were a dog I would want to spend my last years, months, days, minutes, and seconds with you and the others.

    Be it a consolation to you that Bubba and all the others have been awarded an 'ending' that is wished for all of us. You are incredible to give this gift to your dogs. I am blessed to have met someone like you and Carl.

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  41. I'm so sorry, Kim.
    - Anne & Charlie

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  42. What a loving, peaceful, gentle place that Bubba is in! If indeed it is his time to cross the Rainbow Bridge, at least he is making the journey from a safe and loving place. Lord knows he'll be met by many a friend!

    Hugs to you and to Toby. It's always the ones left behind who suffer the most.

    I hope that you can feel the love that we are all sending out to you and Bubba!

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  43. We are so sorry to hear this. Prayers and hugs to you all during this difficult time.

    xoxo
    Miley and Maggie

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  44. Hugs and prayer coming your way.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  45. Dear Kim,

    Sending you, Bubba, Carly, Toby and the rest of your pack love from New Zealand. We're thinking of you and hope things get better for Bubba.

    Love
    Riley's mum

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  46. There never is enough time. Heartfelt wishes go out to you and Bubba and all his friends. May all of you find peace as you face this painful time.

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  47. OMD - sending hugs and prayers your way. I wish I was there, I sit with them a bit too.

    Sam's Mom, Christine

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  48. Sending good thoughts to Bubba

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  49. not much to say at times w/ like this - other than my thoughts and prayers are with you and your pack. may whatever needs to happen occur as peacefully and gracefully as possible.

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  50. My heart goes out to you...this is a hard time of watching, waiting, and wondering. Keeping healing thoughts for Bubba...

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  51. Oh, Kim, not again, not so soon! We're sending a cocoon of love to surround you all. Bless Bubba, bless Toby and bless you & Carl.

    Jed & Abby and mama ML

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  52. The card with endaering picture of Todd arrived in the lunchtime post!

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  53. Kim,
    We had never read the complete quote you have posted but it speaks volumes.
    People like you and Carl make us proud to not only know you but also to understand that their are so many that sacrifice to give love, comfort and peace to those souls who need it the most.
    Gods Speed Bubba, Run Free, we WILL meet again.

    God Bless.


    Sheila & Bob

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  54. Kim, when it was "time" for my GSP, my cat walked underneath her chest, looked up, then looked at me solefully. A ffew days later, I was told the tumor in her lung now consumed 50% of one lung. The others know and gelntly try to break the news to us humans. God bless..:)JP

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  55. Oh Kim, how much sadness can one heart take? I am feeling for you. The loss of a loved one is never easy.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!