It’s been a while since I posted anything and honestly August is shaping up to be the worst month we had since starting the Great Loop Adventure… possible the most epically bad month I can remember.
As you know, we have been hanging out at Bluewater Yachting Center in Hampton Virginia waiting to get parts to repair our port transmission. Annoying yes but definitely not the worst par of the month.
The last ten days have been consumed with end of life issues with our sweet boy Bentley. We knew he was slowing down, we knew 12 years old was getting on for a Boxer and we knew the inevitable would happen someday. But it just happened so quickly and we are reeling from it.
He was fine one day and really sick a couple of days later. A trip to the veterinarian revealed some serious heart issues. We left the vet with a bag of meds, a referral to a cardiologist and we were somewhat hopeful. Less than a week later we were were back at the vets office saying good bye to him.
After we said our goodbyes, I couldn’t breathe and went outside and just wailed. 12 plus years with him, our hearts ache and it’s hard to see the joy he brought us through the grief right now. I know this too shall pass and his bright light and the joy of him being a part of our lives will return, just like it did with Gus, Bob, Lacy and Chauncey before him.
He was such a big part of our lives and so many of our adventures, especially since we have been retired. Such a silly, goofy sensitive soul who loved to play ball, chase butterflies and lay in the sun. When I was still working he went to work with me almost everyday, he loved going to the beach with us, he cruised the San Juan Islands and all the way to Desolation Sound British Columbia with us. He traveled thousands of miles with us in the coach through out the US and Canada. I know he had a wonderful life but damn it we just were not ready for his passing.
It’s painful to go through his things, remove his beds from the boat, clean out his food and treat cupboard… it’s like I am erasing his presence. We have never not had a dog and we’ll see how long we last before another four legged fur baby enters our life. But for now, our Kitty Sucia is trying to fill the void. Extra headbutts and lap time, but she too is missing him. He was her pack.
And if all that that isn’t bad enough… we both have COVID! Two days after Bentley passed we both felt tired and rundown and the symptoms have just gotten worse from there. So while I wallow in my self pity, I also know this too shall pass and we actually have a lot to be grateful for. That said, we are both ready for this month to be over and looking forward to a better September.
I’ve been looking at photos and videos of our sweet boy and will share a few with you. Rest in peace baby Bentie, we are blessed to have had you as part of our family.
That boy loved the beach… and with those long legs he could fly like the wind! He wasn’t much of a swimmer but wading was big fun!
Bentie on Patos Island…
Bentie on Matia Island…
Bentie at Kwatsi Bay in the Broughton Islands British Columbia…
Bentie on the boat…
Bentie in Santa Fe New Mexico…
Bentie in the desert… The Lemon Dog was his nickname. He discovered lemons at our RV Resort in Palm Springs and loved playing with them and chewing on them. Lemony fresh breathe!!!
All good things got to come to an end
Rolling ’till it ends in the sea
Our pleasure grows
Rolling ’till it ends in you and me
Rolling ’till it ends in you and me
Here where the angels
Have appeared and are gone
Your face like an ember
Glows in the dawn
But I want you to remember
All wild deeds live on
All good times, all good friends