25 April

Red’s Journey. He’s Not Just My Dog

by Jon Katz

Yesterday was  a sad day for me, it marked the last time I would ever ask Red to do active work in the field. I woke up at 3 a.m. thinking about it and could not get back to sleep. He was struggling in so many ways – to hear, to see, to move. He tried so hard to please me and do what I asked, I felt awful for asking him.

I understand that is not just my dog, so many people love him, in our community and online. Perhaps there is no place other than the farm where Red is more loved than at the Mansion.

The residents and the aides are devoted to him, they stop whatever they are doing to hold him and talk to him and love him.

He is renewed whenever he steps inside of the Mansion, his tail starts to wag, his energy rises, he is thrilled to rush into the arms of one loving person after another, especially the Mansion aides, who dote on him and who know how to love living things.

He is so happy there, he just collapses into people’s arms. I am aware of my responsibility to prepare people for Red’s decline, and inevitable death over the next months. He is declining all the time, keeping his sweet disposition and loyalty to me and to work and to meeting the needs of others.

I told the Mansion aides this week that Red is going blind and his heart is weakening, and so one by one, they are saying their own goodbyes to him and comforting him as they know how to do.

Hollyanne knelt down on the floor to hold Red and talked to him in whispers, he absolutely loves being fussed over, he drinks it up. These women – there are two men – are so viscerally loving.

One by one, I am telling the staff and the residents that Red is sick and in decline, and everybody there knows what that means, they shake their heads and grimace a bit, no words are really necessary.

It is important that the  residents in particular not be shocked. They know how to do this, they see it every day. Loss is as much a part of life for them as breathing and eating.

10 Comments

  1. my heart hurts for you Jon-and all creatures Red has touched May his passing be painless and swift.

  2. Thank you, Jon. It is difficult where when, as you say, no words are necessary, or no words will do, but here I have only words. I guess I can stop there. Thank you. Love to you. Love to Red.

  3. it is a sad day and I can only imagine how the Mansion residents feel as they are in the same place as Red in varying degrees. I know that you will think of Red’s needs first and do what is best for him. Having said that I also know that no matter how much you know you are doing the best for him, for you and Maria, it will be a sad time. It will be the true mark of selflessness—putting his needs before your own. I feel, it is the true mark of a guardian, a companion and a friend. My heart is with you as you travel down this road with Red. Blessings on you both.

  4. Beautifully done. Red will relish his remaining time doing what he can being his Red self. We will be saying goodbye along with you via the blog and what you are able to share with us.

  5. Jon,
    I am so sorry to hear that Red has only a few weeks at most before he dies. The years go by so quickly. I remember when a friend of yours drove down to Virginia to get him. He was already a seasoned sheep dog, but you trained him on things you wanted in a dog.
    I know his passing will be tough. He has been your best friend all these years.
    Have faith to know that you will eventually feel better, but you will never forget him.

  6. It has been a pure joy to read about Red and his soul work. Thank you for sharing all of Red’s life with us. Thank you for showing us how to be true stewards of the animals and people that we love.

  7. I so wish I could be there to love him and cuddle and nuzzle him. I first saw Red at a Fall Open House at your farm. I was thrilled to be able to watch him in an out run and then later ro pet him. I have loved him since I first heard of him in your Letter to Rose. I suspect I’ll always love him… just like I’ll always love Rose.

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