Farewell Faithful Friend

It is impossible to explain in words what Karaka meant to us.

Our fine, handsome, loyal, protective, kind, kind boy.  Your love was purely unconditional.

Karaka - Krakkie, Krakkas, Krakkie LuLu, LuLu - goodness you had so many names and you answered to them all!

You were born to become a guide dog and it is my absolute blessing that you had a streak of independence in you darling man that saw you fail the programme and need to be re-homed.  Getting you was quite a saga and every single part of that saga was so very worth it - and much, much more.  I would do it all again and again and again.

Quite simply, I can not imagine life without having had you in it.

How do I try and say a proper farewell to the lab/retriever ('the sexiest beast in the world' - that always made you wag your tail didn't it?) - words fail me right now and our hearts are filled with grief, the tears won't stop.

We want you back Lulu and would do anything, give anything, to have our darling boy returned to us but it can't be.

I remember the day you arrived - I came home from a radio show in Auckland and there you were, looking at me over the gate at the farm and wondering who I was.  I said "hi gorgeous boy, I'm your mum" - it was absolute love at first sight and our bond never wavered.

I loved every inch of your canine body from the tip of your pink nose to your big bushy tail.  I loved your smell (mostly) and your wet nose slobbery kisses.   I loved your constant presence with me - as I moved from room to room you were my shadow - yes even in the toilet.  Always beside me, at my side, my friend, my protector, my love.

You moulted like crazy, you always rolled on our red persian rug just after it had been vacuumed.  You loved your walks, especially with Dave your Christchurch buddy and you would come back and soak both your front paws in your water bucket.

You had a heart bigger than Texas (and a bladder that could hold on longer anyone's I know)!! and our hearts are broken. Everyone was your pal - as long as we were there - otherwise everyone was to be scrutinised as your protectiveness was staunch.

Never again will you fetch Dad's sock in the morning.  You were a retriever through and through!

Never again will Mum hear that grizzle and mumble outside her bedroom door when the other two had gone out to the toilet but you double backed and stayed behind knowing you would get your "Krakkie bonding time".

Never again will we see you chase icecubes around the kitchen floor or stay riveted to the garage door waiting for one of your loved pig's ears.

Never again will you slip under Mum's desk in the office, hopeful that Dad wouldn't see.  Never again will we hear your wonderful conversation, such a talker.  Never again will you patiently wait at the laundry door for your breakfast and finish off Tom's that he left behind.

Never again.

You were simply the best - the best behaved for sure!  We love you and love you and love you!  When you collapsed on Thursday it was such a shock.  You had been so well and we were playing games with your ball just two days earlier.  Dayna rushed you to the vet because we were away.

I changed all my plans (with the help of so many people) and rushed home to bring you home to the farm for the last time.  I would not let you leave us anywhere else, nor without me by your side.  I always promised you I would care for you and love you until the day you died and I did.

Your breathing was so laboured and painful last night. That tumour that had grown unnoticed had reached your lungs and to see you slipping away knowing there was no cure that any money could buy was just devastating.  I would have given every last cent.

You still, as you always did, sloped off to bed last night but this time it was our bed.  I lay with you all night holding you and loving you and talking about our lives together until dawn.  Until our wonderful vet Doug could come and give you the peace you deserved.  That didn't mean I wanted to say goodbye.  Julia-Rose you were amazing, thank you for arriving unannounced.

Robyn and I buried you under a beautiful tree where I can think on you every morning.

They say love conquers all but it doesn't.  Sometimes love just isn't enough because if it was, you would not have died this way. We couldn't make you better and we are so sorry Krakkie.  We would have done anything not to say goodbye.

Rest in peace our beautiful boy.  Life was so, so very much richer for having had you and your wonderful personality in it - we were privileged to know you darling.  You may indeed have been a failed guide dog but you excelled at being an amazing friend!