Looking Back On 2012

[trifecta]

As the 'old' year draws to a close, I just wanted to post a tribute to our boy Rogan who left us on August 2nd. At the time, I wanted to write something suitably eloquent for such a deserving dog, but the grief held back the words.

Rogan came to us from the Sydney Dogs Home in April of 2004. We chose him on the recommendation of Denise at PAWS & juice who looked after him while he recovered from his desexing surgery. Rogan was a German Shepherd x, most likely 3/4 Shepherd & 1/4 Kelpie - so not the sort of dog that Denise usually rescued :D However, she was smitten with his handsome good looks & his soft temperament. He was the most biddable of dogs, generous, kind & loving.

Rogan had been picked up as a stray in Botany, but took to life in the country enthusiastically. He loved nothing better than to be out in the bush, sitting by the river, swimming in a waterhole or at the waterfall - his favourite place for a hike. He became the darling of the cafes in Bungendore, a hit with everyone from kids who loved to pat him & bury their faces in his soft fur to his bikie mates who rode out from Canberra every Sunday to have coffee with him :laugh:

Unfortunately just after Easter we noticed a lump on his lower gum at the back of his mouth. Around the anniversary of our adopting him, he had been with us for eight years, it was confirmed Rogan had mandibular osteosarcoma which had already metastasised to his lungs We can only guess Rogan's age, but presume he was around 10 years of age.

While we did everything we could to keep Rogan well, we could not stop the tumour from growing. By late July, it was becoming insufferably large & we knew every day was precious. On August 2nd, being a dog to the end, Rogan chased a rabbit & presumably put his tooth through the mass. We rushed to the vet but the bleeding would not stop, we all knew it was time to say farewell .

I have attached a couple of pics of Rogan, one when he was younger & another one with one of our young foals in October 2010.

I would like to share with you the e-mail I received from Denise on the evening of Rogan's passing:

"......I also had a little dog put to sleep today, she was not a giant dog just a little Shih Tzu who came to us with a rare condition usually only found in German Shepherds. I could not rehome Squish so kept her with me, she lost her battle today.

Rogan and little Squish are together now along with all the other dogs at Rainbow Bridge....."

Now that's a twist of fate!

Miss you heaps mate, run free Rogan, til we meet again at the Bridge

Edited December 31, 2012 by trifecta

[harley]

What a handsome old fella he was

May he RIP

[MelissaS]

So sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy.

R.I.P Rogan xx

[stellnme]

What a lucky dog to have made his way to your place. Sleep well, Rogan, you were a stunning boy.

[redangel]

Rogan was a stunning boy. He sounds like he had the most wonderful nature. Thank you for sharing you memories of Rogan.

[Sheridan]

What a handsome man. That photo of him and the horse is lovely.

[trifecta]

Thank you everyone for your kind words & wishes!

I couldn't let the new year in without acknowledging the passing of our no.1 boy, & it has certainly been a cathartic exercise for me although I am not generally an emotional person :)

[Ellie]

Such a beautiful boy. RIP Rogan

[jemappelle]

So sorry for your loss Trifecta. Rogan was a very handsome and special boy. May he rest in peace.

[juice]

He was a handsome boy, even if i had no clue back then that he had something else in the mix :D

I remeber telling you he was big, in hindsight he wasn't, but you still took him.

He sure was a ringer in Denise's normal save ,by about 20kgs :laugh: She must have seen the gentle soul inside.

i am not surprised you miss him, some are very special.