Goodbye sweet companion

Hercules died on Sunday.  Chris and Dawn called in the evening from their home and property in Oxford Mills, where we had dropped off Hercules last year.  He'd shown no signs of illness or injury on Saturday night, when Chris let him out with Goldie and Shadow for a final run.  But he didn't return with the other dogs.  Chris looked for him in the darkness, to no avail, and then returned to the search in the morning.  He found Hercules by the pond, about 75 m from the house, alive but unable to stand.  Hercules died on the way to see the vet in Kemptville.  The vet couldn't find an exact cause, but saw signs of internal bleeding.  He speculated about cancer, although I wonder if Hercules finally realized his dream of cornering a deer and received a fatal kick for his troubles.  Hercules was ten.

Dawn, Chris and their boys (Shay and Matt) had always been fond of Hercules, having known him since he was a puppy.  We'd spent many hours with Hercules at their property, which I've always fondly referred to as, "Fair Prospect" (from the A & E version of Pride and Prejudice).  Hercules loved to romp with the other dogs, roll himself in the dirtiest parts of the paddock, and then plunge into the pool.  He needed to run, and when it became clear last year that we could no longer provide him with a happy life in the City, Dawn and Chris generously agreed to take him.

We purchased Hercules from a breeder in Quebec City as a fifth birthday present for Thomas.  He was a purebred Brittany, just a little too independent for a field dog and with the wrong markings for a show dog.  Instead of the requisite white stripe down his forehead, he had a white heart.  And a big heart... a sweet heart.  From the moment that he arrived at our home in the co-op, he became the darling of the children in the courtyard.  He tolerated any amount of enthusiastic cuddling and wrestling, and always greeted every girl and boy with an eager, welcoming kiss.

Thomas fell in love with Hercules immediately, although in the first few years he would say that Herc was more my dog than his dog.  As Thomas grew, however, he and Hercules became greater buddies.  I'm pretty sure that Hercules and Thomas thought of each other as siblings.

Hercules loved nothing more than to run through fields and forests, or to plunge for a cooling dip into a lake or river.  Spring through autumn were his seasons.  He never grew accustomed to winter, being prone to ice buildup in his paws, and our only attempt to fit him with booties provided some despairing looks and an exaggerated clown walk.

Hercules loved to go to canoing, although a romp on the shore was never far from his mind.  He accompanied Thomas and I on many fishing trips, and never failed to make us laugh at his reaction when we hauled in a pike or bass.  Together, he and I explored many waterways and wetlands.

Goodbye sweet companion.  We won't forget you.  I certainly won't forget the feel of your coat under my hand as I reached down unconsciously to pet you, or your comforting smell during our raucous "family cuddles" on Tom's bed.  Thank you for the happiness that you brought to our family, as well as Chris and Dawn's family.