22.7.11

GOODBYE MY SWEET SWEET PITCHY BOY

Yesterday Eric and I said goodbye to our sweet dog Pitch. The cancer took hold far faster than we had anticipated and Pitch told us it was his time to go. Below are a few photos i took on Pitchy's last day with us. My friend Cait kissing him goodbye before she had to go to work, my parents, and their dog Josie (Pitch's best friend), saying their farewells. And Pitchy's final resting place down at Eric's farm.
Thanks again for all your kind words when I had first learned of Pitch's diagnosis.

Below is a letter, more of a eulogy, that Eric wrote and emailed to all of Pitch's biggest fans. . . I think it's the perfect description of his life and what he meant to us.

Dear Friends.
I’m sad to tell you, but today molly and I made the decision to help our beloved pitch go to sleep for good. His was a surprisingly fast descent, something which I think we’ll be grateful for when this initial shock and grief wears off, and we can see this day through less teary eyes.

Pitch was an extraordinary dog. If you’re reading this letter, than my guess is that you knew that. He had that rare mix of pure kind gentleness that bordered lethargy at many times, but with that slight stalking, feral streak that he could spark in an instant (particularly if you were a squirrel, skunk or deer), which I like to credit to his short stint as a stray in the mean streets of south Carolina. Pitch was at once the dog who would gingerly lick icecream from a baby, and in the next instance, would battle to the death with a woodchuck on the farm. He was a loyal dog. He was a calm dog. He was a wild dog. He was so much fun. He was our best friend.

Pitch had a quick run of prostate cancer. In the end, molly and I decided that while he might live a few more days, we wanted to see our pitch, the most dignified, independent and courageous dog we know, go to sleep while he was still a dog we knew. Due to the pressure from his enlarged prostate, he could no longer control his ability to go to the bathroom, he was fatigued constantly, and that joie de vivre that pitch’s life was marked by, had faded. It was time to let him go, and he let us know that.

Again, if you’re reading this, then you knew pitch. And if you knew him, you probably loved him. And I want to thank you for that. That’s what’s giving me comfort right now. Pitch was a greasy fleabag of bones when I found him at the human society. He got lucky, as he was just one of a few dogs taken from a high-kill shelter and brought up here where there are less strays to adopt. He could have just as easily died in a pound as a puppy. Though he was my ward, I think that together, through all of the love and our shared experiences with you friends, we gave pitch a life that most people would be jealous of. Together, we saw to it that pitch’s life was the best that any dog could have. So thank you. We love you.

Pitch will be buried down at the farm, where he can chase the deer out of the carrots forever. Again, thanks for your love and kind words. Though we’ll miss our companion, we know that we’ve got all of you out there….

Eric and Molly

22 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

beautiful words about a beautiful friend. rest easy pitch.

July 22, 2011 at 1:46 PM  
Blogger STOP IT RIGHT NOW said...

Heartbreaking. Sorry to hear this Molly. My thoughts are with you and Eric. Rest peacefully Pitch.

July 22, 2011 at 1:59 PM  
Blogger bravegrrl said...

so sorry molly. my thoughts are with you today. it is a beautiful thing that he is still with you & eric on your farm xo

July 22, 2011 at 2:50 PM  
Blogger Maia said...

Oh, you have me in tears. What a perfect and dignified tribute. I lost the dog-love of my life, Sam, a year ago and still have not really gotten over him.

July 22, 2011 at 2:58 PM  
Blogger melly said...

so sad. and even though i did not know pitch, he sounds like a happy dog that has a mom and dad with a big heart. <3

July 22, 2011 at 3:23 PM  
Blogger Liz said...

So sorry for you guys - saying goodbye to a loved pet is about the hardest thing in the world to do :(

July 22, 2011 at 3:40 PM  
Anonymous reid.damnit said...

so sad to hear Molly, I can't imagine.

July 22, 2011 at 4:22 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I have had a pet pass away from cancer as well. My heart goes out to you, sorry to hear for your loss and be strong! xx

July 22, 2011 at 5:24 PM  
Blogger alexx said...

it's so sad. god to be with all of you!!

July 22, 2011 at 6:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

lots of love to all.

July 22, 2011 at 9:07 PM  
Blogger Cristina said...

we just lost our guy too, to cancer. we brought him to germany to visit our family. we had to take him in for an eye operation, and the vet gave us the most terrible news we could have imagined--there were tumors everywhere, and his chances for survival were minimal. i'm so sorry for your loss--i know how deeply painful it can be. a book that helped, consoled, and understood my grief was, the art of racing in the rain. my thoughts are with you.

July 23, 2011 at 1:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

aw what a sweet letter and photos...rip pitch

July 23, 2011 at 12:04 PM  
Blogger Mackenzie said...

oh i'm so sorry.

July 23, 2011 at 10:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You gave him such a good life. They say dogs don't have the best memories. Dog owners know this is rubbish. While perhaps they don't recall the details of each walk or treat, when you hugged him goodbye, I'm sure he has a sense of trust, comfort and love that is only managed through a lifetime of devotion and kindness.

keep your head up. you did the right thing.
xP

July 24, 2011 at 9:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pitchy looks so happy in every picture. He had a great last day. -cait

July 25, 2011 at 7:33 AM  
Blogger fashion visionary said...

Pitch was an amazing dog!!! I wasn't lucky enough to know him but I can tell through his smile in all of your pics that he was loved so much!!!!!! Dogs are the angels in our lives... My thoughts are with you! xo

July 25, 2011 at 8:48 AM  
Blogger Lindsay said...

I'm so sorry! My thoughts will be with you.

July 25, 2011 at 2:44 PM  
Blogger heather said...

i'm so sorry. his resting place is beautiful.

July 25, 2011 at 5:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

what a beautiful dog -- these things are so hard, so sorry for your loss, but can really tell that everyone who knew him will remember him and keep his memory. second that he looks quite happy in the photos. rip pitch! keep chasin those deer :)

July 25, 2011 at 8:15 PM  
Blogger baine said...

this brought a tear to my eye it was so adorable. rest in fun! he looked like an awesome and loving dog, what kind of mix was he?

July 26, 2011 at 6:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

so sorry to hear about your loss. what a lovely tribute to pitch. i hope you will continue to rescue strays who need you in the future.xo

July 28, 2011 at 12:33 PM  
Blogger almapearl said...

How lucky you were to find one another. My dog Banjo will very much like ye old Pitch one day, and when he tells me its his time to blast off into the Cosmos, I can only hope that I help him along with the same strength and humility that you have shown Pitch. x

July 30, 2011 at 7:35 PM  

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