At midnight last night, our loyal companion, Porter, left us and this world for a place where he is free of blindness and cancer. To the end, he was brave and determined to do his best and enjoy life in our family. On Sunday, he had his “last great day”; he got up and napped on his favorite couch, he walked independently around our kitchen, family room and outside and enjoyed a steak dinner with us. On Monday he gradually became weaker and stopped eating and refused water. His euthanasia had been scheduled for this afternoon (Tues.) when his local vet was available. Being the alpha dog he always was, he determined the timing and location of his passing; Laying quietly on his own bed in our kitchen with his family around him. Safe travels, Porter. We will miss you. You certainly had a great run!
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your wonderful friend, Porter.
But…on his own terms….we salute you, Porter. RIP
Hugs to you all
Linda and Tucker
Please ,please know we have all been holding you safely in our hearts these last few days. We have never left your side.
As gut wrenchingly sad it is to know Porter transferred to the other side of this life last night, it is heartwarming to know he did it on his own terms, surrounded by his lovng family as he has been his whole life. Alpha dog indeed!
My heart aches foryou and the tears are flowing. But I keep scrolling back up to re-read over and over how he exited on his own terms. Being a teacher for all of us right up to the end.
I’m sooooo glad you had the gift of that great day. Clearly it was a gift he wanted to leave stored in your heart. I think Porter rallied also because heknew he was son to be free and young and fit and vibrant again. It’s something he knew at a soul deep level and he wanted you to know it too.
Porter knew exactly what he was doing when he picked you to travel by his side on this journey called “life”. You showed him what love felt like. You showed him what joy and fun felt like. Just as you felt his gift of loyalty, he felt your gift of loyalty.
Porter has moved onto another dimension where his energy is whole and healthy again. But make no mistake about it, he has also left so e of his loving energy nestled safely in the corner of your heart. Your grief is too heavy right now, but soon you’ll feel his presence there with you. Soon you’ll know he is still right by your side.
We’ve lost way to many of our brave, strong, courageous heros this month. There was a beautiful picture that someone posted on a post for Hero Chef. I’m going to ask those who are far more coputer savvy than I (aka Jerry!) to post that here for you. I hope it brings you comfort.
PLEASE, when you can, will you share more of Porter’s life here with us? Maybe some puppy pictures? Stories about how he made you laugh? Stories about what made him wag and wag and wag! We are family and Porter will NEVER be forfotten here! His life matters to us!
I’m also going to ask Christine to post a beautiful poem she shared with us that I think you’ll like.
With all my heart, I’m sending you love.
Sally and Happy Hannah
So sorry to hear that Porter has crossed the bridge but happy to hear it crossed on his own terms with his loving family at his side. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Sending you lots of love and tripawd strength from the Oaktown Pack.
Oh Porter, I’m so sad to read this but wow, you incredible, brave strong boy, to think that you picked your time, that is just so rare and very special for you but especially your people.
Please know that every single step, every hop of your Tripawd journey, left a pawprint in this community. Your story will always remain to show others that there is life after losing a leg, that love can get a pack through anything, and that courage is all within us.
I’m so sorry guys, please know you are in our thoughts now and always. Many, many condolences coming your way.
Godspeed Porter! I hope you and my boy Max meet at The Bridge, I think you two would have a great time together! Thank you for sharing your life and family with us. We are all a little better for having known you!
How blessed and lucky that sweet boy was!!! He left on his own!!! good for him!!! and YOU too!!! He ran onto the road leading to the bridge from his own bed.. in his own home.. sleeping under the same roof as those he loved with all his heart… what a lucky fella!!
Your heart is crushed… I know that. I also don’t know what advice to give you to stop the tears that happen. I’ve been there… and the tears will flow when we least expect them. But that is good. Why do you ask? Cause if it didn’t happen, that would mean you didn’t care…. the tears still flow for me at times… especially when I read these posts and I know exactly how much loss you are feeling….
But here is a thought to help you get through….
What Cancer Cannot Do.
Cancer is so limited
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the spirit.
and most of all.. it will never, EVER destroy that bond that you had with Porter!!! NEVER!!!
Hugs
Christine… with Franklin in her heart♥