This is the story of a special dog and his life with the people who have loved him many years.
In other words, it’s a story about love.
Colby joined his forever family over Easter weekend in 2002, much to the surprise of his new Dad and brother, who hadn’t expected to come home to a Corgi.
Oh sure, Tammy had talked about it. Told her husband Rob she was going to do it, get that Corgi and bring him on home. He didn’t think she was serious.
(Never underestimate a woman on a mission!)
“I always wanted a Corgi” says Tammy. “Of course they are adorable, but also intelligent, so silly, and have sensitive souls. They love us no matter what we look like, or how much money we have.”
And so began Colby’s growing up, alongside his brother Hunter. Two lucky boys with a lot of room to run around and be boys.
“Though he’s always been shy, taking a while to warm up to folks, he made friends with the neighbor dog Buddy. They’ve grown old together.”
Like all kids, Colby was bound to give his parents a spot of trouble or two, here and there. In 2004, he decided that exploring the wooded area near his home was a good idea. It was summer, he was young, the adventure of the forest beckoned.
Eleven days later, he hadn’t come home.
“I knew he wouldn’t go to anyone because of his shyness” says Tammy. “We almost gave up hope, until we finally got a late night phone call and eventually got our hands on him. He was stinky and skinny and a little beat up, but we couldn’t hug him tight enough. I cried like a baby. The worry of missing our Colby broke my heart.”
He loved them back every bit as much, and hated being separated from the family. “We went on a couple of trips where we needed to board him, and he got sick every time because of his nerves. So we got a pop-up camper to take him on our trips. Problem solved. Now there’s always a spot for him!”
“Colby barks at the boys going in and out the door, up and down the stairs, at every car that rolls at the wrong speed down the road, at every delivery man and deer and wildlife that steps on our property. He sounds tough, but he’s really just a chicken.”
“He sleeps with us every night, and as so many of us do, WE sleep around him. His favorite sleeping position (of course) is on his back with all four paws in the air. I have cried with Colby and laughed with Colby and carried and lifted my Colby when he was hurting.”
“Our Corgi boy has always been afraid of the camera, but about a year or two ago I finally discovered the trick to the perfect ears up, eyes on me photo: I get my camera ready and say, Colby want a treat? Works every time. He loves his treats!”
In January of 2012, Colby had to have a toe removed because it had some cancer in it. He healed up from that, and a year later he took on the role of big brother to Dorie, a little Corgi female. “He looked at me like I was nuts for bringing her home” recalls Tammy, “but he’s such a good and gentle boy. They love and take care of each other.”
“She runs to Colby when the vacuum comes out. Silly girl hasn’t figured out it scares him just as much! Dorie always comes running to see what’s up when Colby barks.”
“Dorie came to us from an Arkansas shelter. Because I got scared when Colby had the cancer in his toe and was getting up in age, I thought another dog would be company for him, and hopefully make his eventual passing easier for us”.
“Unfortunately, Colby’s passing will come sooner than we’d hoped. We all know we won’t have them forever, but gosh … “
“I touch and pet him and even feel for unusual lumps every day. At his last check-up, the vet found an aggressive, cancerous mass on Colby’s spleen, up under the stomach area and hard to find unless you know what you’re looking for. All the more reason to have yearly check ups, just in case.”
“Because he’s thirteen and the mass is already large, we are going to do our best to care for him, manage the pain when it happens, hug him and love him to the ends of the earth. He might have one month, he may have three. All we know for sure is we love Colby more than ever!”
“He’s always been my handsome man and has never really showed his age, so this came as a bit of a surprise. I know so many others have dealt with this and I know I can be strong too (with lots of tears!). It means the world to me to share Colby with Corgi Nation. I rely on the Corgi community for support. Sometimes close friends and family just don’t get it like Corgi Nation does. I was just teasing my husband Rob the other day that Colby got more than 600+ birthday wishes, and we as his humans never get that many! We laughed, knowing it was true.”
“I’ve never been faced with losing a pet who might need our help to cross the rainbow bridge in a peaceful way. I hope we make the right decisions.”
“If anyone wants to share their stories of cancer of the spleen, the good, the bad and sadly, the ugly, please feel free to help me understand what I might expect.”
“Is it possible to be annoyed by a bark, yet miss it all the same? I just don’t know how I’ll be able to stand the silence when we come home and he isn’t barking his hello to us.”
“I think Dorie is really going to miss him, and I hope we can do right by her, too. I find myself at a loss and feeling sad for her. Will she miss him, will she be lonely, can she be happy without her fur brother?”
“I’m confident that I will always have a part of my little shedding machine with me. On my clothes, in my carpet, in my car, under the bed and probably even on the moving ceiling fan.”
“More importantly, Colby will always remain deep in the core of my heart. Deeply missed, but more deeply loved.”
For keeps.
I have had to help several animals, dogs and cats cross Rainbow Bridge. It is very hard and the tears flow but it's the way we show them how much we love them and thank them for the unconditional love they have shown us. Two of my corgis are on the other side of the bridge and I treasure the time with the two I have here. My thoughts and prayers are with Colby and your family as you travel this path. He will always have a place in your heart. Bles you all!!
Thank you so much for your kind words! Although it will be hard, I promise I will do what is best for Colby. Until then, we will love him to pieces!
Thank you for your blessings and very caring words. As hard as it may be, we will try and do our best for our Colby.
I can tell from reading your post, you are ready to do everything needed for your pup.
Our almost 17-yr-old Cardi boy Morgan had a burst spleen 3 years before we had to help him, he had surgery, chemo and went on to do quite well, but his back gave out and he lost functioning of bladder/bowel and all legs. He was fine even for a while we that, rode down the street in a wagon, but eventually gave me 'that look' like he was ready. He got a child's size chocolate covered ice cream cone (from Trader Joe's) just before he flew away….miss him in my bones (as you will Colby), but we had him for a long, long time with much love going both ways.
Take good care of yourself, too. Best wishes….
Thank you so much for your kind words, blessings and for sharing your experiences with us. We promise we will do what is best for Colby. Until then, we plan to enjoy every moment with him!
Wow, 17!!! I was hoping to be that lucky……..it just doesn't seem to be in the cards for Colby. I will keep your experiences with me as I am faced with any decisions that we will probably need to face. I am thinking a little ice cream cone sounds like a good idea. Thank you so much for your caring thoughts!
Tammy,
My heart broke to read about your handsome Colby. My corgi, Flossie, was diagnosed w/hemangiosarcoma on her spleen last December & it had spread to her liver as well. We had no idea until she had a very long panting episode & took her to the vet whose own dog had suffered the same cancer. I'm wondering if this is what your Colby has? Flossie's diagnosis was 3 months w/out treatment & only 6 w/. We had a good 2 months with her–only a few minor hemorrhaging/panting episodes but otherwise she was her 11 year old self. The last episode she had left her noticeably weaker & being the independent corgi she was—"I don't need your help, thank you very much" we decided it was time to let her go so she wouldn't suffer from pain or low quality of life. We miss her so much but it was for the best. I hope this little bit of info may have helped. If you are dealing with the same cancer, I'm not on FB but Laurie may share my email address with you if you'd like to ask about anything. Also, if you have a vet who will come to your house, I think it's a much more peaceful experience. I will keep your family and two sweet corgis in my thoughts. Betsy
Thank you Betsy for sharing your story. Yes, it is the same cancer and he did have a similar panting episode. He was scheduled for his yearly two days later and he seemed to recover somewhat, so we waited for the appointment and then asked the doctor what could be going on. She felt the mass right away. So, several tests later and here we are. I promise I will do the right thing by Colby! I love him too much to see him in pain! Again, thank you so much for sharing!
Tammy,
I'm so sorry about your precious boy. I have lost four corgis to cancer. One had a tumor on her spleen. By the time she showed symptoms, the cancer was everywhere. We had one month most of which was good. We had her on steroids and had pain pills as well to give her as needed. We put her on the cancer diet i.e. anything her little heart desired as long as it wasn't toxic. I knew the morning she didn't want to eat anything at all that we were done. I knew I had been able to manage the pain for her, but I didn't want it to get to the point that I couldn't. My vet came to my house and I held her as she made her journey to Heaven. I've never had a relationship with a dog like the one I had with Emma. I have loved every dog I've ever had, but there was something about her and I that connected in a very deep way. She was fourteen and died a year and a half ago. I miss her every day and will miss her forever. I say all these things to help express one final thought…losing our four legged family members is so very painful. But the only other option is to never to have had them. That, for me, is not an option.
You'll know when it's time. You'll look into his eyes and he'll tell you. You and your family are in my prayers.
Cathy ( I'm in Missouri too!)
I cried throughout your whole story. It is so sad when we know we are coming close to losing our loving furry friends. When pets lose their owners, they also grieve. I'm sure you will do the right thing for your little Colby when his time comes. Be sure to let your other corgi be there with Colby at the end – she will grieve but she will understand & she has your family to help her. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers – I always pray to St. Francis for help when someone I know is going through the loss of a pet. I truly believe he helps.
Thank you so much for thinking of us during this trying time. I did wonder whether our other corgi (Dorie) should be there. I hate the idea of him just disappearing from her life. We will hopefully do what is best for everyone. Thanks for your prayers! Tam
You are doing right by Colby, pat your self on the back for giving him the best possible life he could have had filled with love. I have a 5yr old corgi who is fighting an autoimmune disease (MMM) along with moderate hip dysplasia . I am doing the best I can possibly do for her and with the mmm you do not know the out come. Spoil Colby all you can and take pride in what a good dog parent you are.