Highlights:

· Romeo tribute page 1

· Romeo tribute page 2

Champion Rathsrigg Solitaire
  

En route to winning the Open Dog class at Montgomery '99 ... Romeo is 4th from the left photo courtesy of Linda Freeman

En route to winning Winners Dog at Montgomery '99 ... Romeo is on the far left photo courtesy of Linda Freeman

And Romeo goes all the way to Best of Winners Montgomery '99!!! L. to R. Breeder/Judge, Mrs. Grace Brewin; owner/handler, Christopher Lee; BTCA president, Bobby Hutton

Sofie and Romeo on the way back home from Montgomery '99

September '99 ... Romeo wins a specialty BB at the Rideau Terrier Club, over one of the largest Bedlington entries in Canada in recent times

Romeo finishes his Canadian championship, February 12, 2000. This is the last formal picture taken of him. Judge: Jan buchanan

     On March 6, 2000, we said goodbye to our beloved Romeo. He was diagnosed with an agressive form of cancer after a tumour of considerable size appeared on his right shoulder on February 18. We, along with a team of surgeons and oncologists (of the canine and human variety) decided that the option of total amputation was going to be of no longterm benefit. Therefore, the decision was made to ensure that the rest of Romeo's short days with us would be as peaceful and comfortable as possible. We were told at this point, that this form of cancer typically results in euthanasia within one to two weeks.

     Romeo's pain was controlled by pain killers suggested by our specialists, and he was started on several homeopathic remedies including Essiac Tea, Flax Seed Oil and Shark Cartilage ... all in the hope for a miracle. The tumour had doubled in size within two days of our first noticing it and then, seemed to stop growing. It stayed that way until about March 4th, when we noticed it beginning to change shape and increase in size once again.

     From March 3rd until the day he died, Romeo had some particularly good days. He was alert, eating well and greeting anyone that came to the house. The saddest parts however, were that he could no longer use his leg and could not run and play with the other dogs. His game of tossing his tennis ball and batting it around with his front legs was no longer possible. On Saturday March 4th, Romeo stopped eating. He wasn't interested in anything we gave him to try and at this point he was getting anything he wanted! I knew the following evening, when we went for our walk, that it would probably be the last time we would do so. He had rallied for those few days.

     Romeo spent an extra longtime on his walk Sunday night. He would stand there and sniff the wind, looking as though he was a thousand miles away. He delighted in every leaf he came across, wanted to chase a silly squirrel who crossed our path, he sat and watched, listened, sniffed. When I would sit with him he would try to sit in my lap as he always did. We sat there for quite some time just being quiet, just listening to mother nature do her stuff. I believe he was saying his goodbyes to the wonderful world we live in.

     The next day started as all others. However, a little later on Romeo became very uncomfortable and seemed to be in great pain. An extra dose of pain killers never seemed to work and he was pawing at me while whimpering and panting. He was trying to tell me it was time. It was warm and sunny that day so we went to sit outside in the garden. He lay in the sun with his head on my lap ... but he was not quiet. It was impossible for him to lie down for very long and he kept pawing at me. I took the message ... it really was time. It was time for me to do the one last great thing for him ... to help him, to relieve his pain.

     I called the vet and arranged for him to come to the house that day. As I put down the phone, Romeo went to his bed a lay down ... surprisingly without a sound. After a few minutes, he came to me and asked to go outside. There, he lay down under his favourite tree and simply looked around. He remained there for quite some time as the other dogs sat beside him. How very calm and peaceful the next few hours were. He knew that he got his message across to me and I felt he was looking forward to being free of the discomfort.

     At about 2:30 that afternoon, our vet arrived. We said our goodbyes to Romeo and he wagged his tail slowly. We told him it was alright to go and that he had made us so proud. Every dog should be so lucky to have met so many people. Here he was at the end, surrounded by love and comfort, in his own house. At about 2:45pm Romeo passed away with loving hands feeling him go. He left us very quickly and without a sound ... he just went to sleep. He died with great dignity just as he lived.

     Romeo's legacy continues on in his offspring. He leaves behind 16 children, the most recent being born the day after he passed away. We were amazed and very numbed by the events of those two days, especially since this litter came to us 5 days early! The timing could not be better, strange though it was. Indeed, perhaps Romeo left us on Monday and came back to us on Tuesday! Perhaps he knew the puppies would come early ... we shall never know.

     Rest easy now my friend ... I see you with all the other Bedlingtons that you adored. I see you with our human friends that have gone before you ... they are taking care of you now. I see you finally able to play with that tennis ball again, to run and leap like a rabbit ... perhaps looking for rabbits! We miss you and think of you often, we thank you for being here and shall never forget. In your short time here, you touched many people and left your mark. Cancer may have taken you from the world, but nothing can take your spirit away from us.

CH Rathsrigg Solitaire ...
"Romeo" ...
known to his close friends as "The Baloo" (don't ask ... Sean's fault)
January 7, 1998 - March 6, 2000