Goodnight and Goodbye, Ramses, My Big Puppy

Ramses at Play. Photos: M. Imlay

Your humble blogger hasn’t felt much like blogging lately. This past week our household had to say goodbye to our proud red Doberman, Ramses, roughly a month short of his eighth birthday.

We knew this day was coming. On average, Dobermans live about nine years, making Ramses a senior dog. Yet even in his advancing age, he maintained a puppy-like spunk.

Each morning he’d rise, take his blankie in his mouth, and parade around with it, daring you to get up, get out of bed, and play “keep away” with him. Once that was accomplished, he’d lead our second Doberman, Isis, downstairs to the kitchen where they’d patiently take  their positions for feeding.

After breakfast, he’d chase Isis through the doggie door for a half-hour game of tag or hide-n-seek outdoors. Then he’d do one last patrol of the yard before trotting into the house to nap in my office as I worked. Come late afternoon, he’d begin another round of sentry duty from an upstairs balcony as neighbors walked their dogs along the street below.

He was goofy, loving, loyal and playful to the end.

The Medical Roller-Coaster…

But amid all our faithful Dobe’s seemingly boundless exhuberance for life, my partner and I could sense deep down that something just wasn’t right.

A few months ago Ramses began to groan in his sleep. The vet attributed it to possible early arthritis and told us to monitor the situation. Then, about four weeks ago, other symptoms emerged indicating a bladder infection. When treatment for that failed, further tests revealed the true culprit: severe prostate inflammation, resulting from large, possibly cancerous, abscesses.

The last two weeks of his life were spent in and out of animal ERs and specialist clinics, examining, poking and prodding. While waiting for the results of a final test, the inflammation closed off his urethra, requiring yet another late-night ER visit for catheterization.

…And a Tearful Farewell

Ever resilient, Ramses took it all in stride, but we couldn’t bear to put him through any more procedures. Tough as the decision was, Ramses deserved to exit this world with his dignity intact.

He was one of those extraordinary, “almost human” dogs that come around once in a lifetime. Smart beyond belief, he knew the names of every room in the house, and would go to any one of them and wait for me on command. When running in a park or along a beach, he exhibited a thoroughbred’s beauty, and hurdled obstacles with a dolphin-like grace.

Even on his final ride to the vet, his eyes shone with the same intensity and indomitable spirit that first captured our hearts almost eight years ago when we picked him from his champion litter.

As devastating as the loss is to our household, we’ve been amazed at the extent he’s mourned by others. A surprising number of family, friends and neighbors teared up when  told of his passing. All had incredibly fond memories of him — the way he’d greet them at our door, escort them around during visits, and show off for them. Though a fearless protector of our home, he knew friends when he saw them and showered guests with affection.

It’s taken nearly a week for us to lift ourselves — and especially Isis — from a listless depression. Nothing around here feels the same. Even now, as I finally sit down to pen his tribute, there’s an aching in my soul. Who knew a Doberman could touch so many people, so deeply, in so many ways?

Goodnight and goodbye, Ramses, my big puppy. You are, and will always be, sorely missed.

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