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MacDuff
MacDuff --
September, 2010
It is with deepest sadness that we must inform you of the loss of our dear,
precious MacDuff.
On Monday, September 6th, at approximately 2:00, MacDuff suffered what appeared
to be a stroke. Stacy and I had left to run errands and have lunch, as on any
other day. Lucy, Ethel and Tucker were in their "rooms" and MacDuff cozied up
in one of the many doggy-beds scattered throughout the house.
When we left, Duff was his usual cheerful, bouncy self - nothing the least bit
out of the ordinary.
Upon our return, however, Duff was no longer able to stand, his breathing was
labored and he seemed almost drugged. Since there were no obvious, external
signs of a problem (no bleeding or broken bones) we did our best to comfort him,
hoping this was another passing sign of aging.
Alas, his condition did not improve throughout the night. Stacy held our little
Duff in her arms for, essentially, the entirety of the evening of the 6th,
through the night, into the 7th. On Tuesday morning it became apparent that
Duff wasn't going to get better and, as we had discussed, we were facing that
most difficult of decisions.
We made the first available appointment with "Uncle Kirk" at Josey Ranch Pet
Hospital, to examine Duff. As expected, the prognosis was what we had hoped we
would not hear. And, with Duff's best interests at the forefront, we had to love
him enough to let him go. It was one of the most difficult decisions we've ever
made.
As we held our little boy in our arms, he passed peacefully into the great
beyond, crossing the Rainbow Bridge. MacDuff Workman entered the next stage of
his existence at 2:10 PM, Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at the age of 15. We
shall miss him eternally.
As many of you know, MacDuff was surrendered to Westie Rescue, along with his
brother Duncan, a bit more than four years ago. Stacy and I adopted MacDuff -
who was 11 at the time - as part of WRNT's "Walking Them Home" program. While
we didn't know how long we would have with him, we were delighted to have him in
our family.
Over the last 4-and-a-bit years, we've watched as MacDuff blossomed from a
frightened, timid creature into a picture of humor, love, grace and immense
happiness. In that time Duff's hearing became less and less acute, to the point
of functional deafness. His reaction was to pay more attention to hand signals
and just enjoy life. Duff developed urinary incontinence and, with the use of
countless boxes of baby diapers, he just bounced through his day, tail held
jauntily high. Cancers, root canals, ACL surgery, TMJ and arthritis couldn't
knock the joy out of this little trooper.
Duff was the most effervescently lovable pup you could ever want. After coming
to us, literally, afraid of being touched, he turned into the most ardent
"snuggle bunny" we could imagine. Often we called him "Mr. Petme Petme" -
because if you stopped, he'd gently tap you with a paw, as if to say "Hey, mate,
don't stop now". When his Mommy, Stacy, would hold him, you could just sense a
level of contentment unknown by humans. This was one canine who knew how to
live his life to the fullest.
We will miss his sense of humor, his constant gentle happiness and his
appreciation for just about every aspect of his life. He taught me how to be
happy with the best parts of my life and he touched my soul in ways I never
imagined. It is Stacy, however, who was closest to Duff. It seemed as if Duff
just knew that his Mommy adored him - and he returned that adoration in ways big
and small. We've often said that to be loved - unabashedly, honestly and
totally - by a dog is the purest thing you'll ever know. In that, MacDuff was
the grand master of unadulterated love.
We have attached a photo of MacDuff that shows him as the healthy, playful dog
that we will always remember.
Stacy and I ask that you say a prayer for MacDuff, and all the other loved and
adored puppies who've gone before him, to let them know that we can't wait to be
with them on the other side.
With Deepest Sorrow,
John & Stacy
Lucy, Ethel and Tucker
