In Memory of Herschel

Herschel is now free from discomfort and his fight against cancer.  After being diagnosed in May he was able to slow his tumors down and manage his cancer and his discomfort with prednisone. He has been able to enjoy his traveling this summer as anyone who met him along they way can attest to. He got to sniff bear scat and moose poop and do other important dog stuff like swim in lakes and rivers and oceans. He enjoyed campfires and getting snacks from "auntie" Mitch and walks with "auntie" Liz. 

This past week his heath started to slide quickly. He became more uncomfortable and weaker. Increasing the medication dosage helped for a few days but the tumors had moved on to his throat and no amount of prednisone was going to hold off the pain.

I want to give a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Laura Lambruschi and the staff of the Spring Creek Animal Hospital in Jackson, WY, for the caring and gentleness they showed both of us.  I have walked through this last journey with other companions but I have never had the vet crying with me.  Herschel knew how to connect with dog people.  As uncomfortable and weak as he was, he still had that tail that gave her a small wag and thank her when he met her.

To most of us he was always just Herschel or Hersch or "the big red dog".......

AKC's "Herschel the Grand".... CD, RE, CGC, TDI

July 2001 to August 25, 2012

Herschel never talked much about his first year of life.  We found each other when he was a year old.

Herschel would not have even had an opportunity to be a part of our lives if not for GRRAND (Golden Retriever Rescue and  Adoption of Needy Dogs, Inc., in Louisville, KY). Volunteers pulled him from a kill shelter in Indiana after he was found wandering lost and starving on a road in southern Indiana.  Every rib showed and when I picked him up to drive him back to Ohio he acted as if he had never actually traveled in a vehicle. (He got over that inexperience pretty well didn't he?)

He learned how to be a good family dog by living with and learning important dog stuff from his friend "Hannah" dog. He later later got the chance to pass on that same knowledge and support when one scared young Remi dog came to live with him. He also learned obedience. He learned Rally. He learned to love being with people and especially his friends at Loveland Health Care Center. He loved traveling and meeting other travelers.  He was a good dog. He has taken a piece of many hearts with him not just mine....

I feel blessed that he shared ten years of life with me.   An animal communicator once "talked" with Herschel and she said that for a dog that came out of a rescue situation he didn't seem to have any doubts about being loved in his life....but I think the love in his life was only a reflection of the love he brought to the world.

Traveling through West Virginia with Hannah and Blondie....the pre-Stuart years about 2005.....and before Hannah went to North Carolina to live with her "girl" Kate.

Hannah and Herschel as Thing 1 and Thing 2......  during the early obedience years.

"You mean we are going to keep one of these?  Do I get to choose?"

When Stuart was growing up Herschel always thought he was sweetest when he was asleep.

Sharing a retrieve with Stuart.

I thought you had the maps....

Discovering history in South Carolina.

The sandy beaches of South Carolina.

The lakes of Ohio.

"I will protect you little buddy."

Trick or Treat....

If you hunt long enough you can find a dog friendly beach in Florida.  But all that walking in the sun and the surf will tire you out. 

Kayaking on Dale Hollow Lake, TN.

 Hiking in Ohio with his boys.

He always tried to help Remi get over that dislike for water....

Playing with his funny "rabbit" ....Remi.

Try to teach the 6 month old Stuart the art of good sniffing.....

Another mentoring moment with a young Stuart.

Exploring "Grandpa's" woods with his friend Hannah.

Visiting some of his people friends at the health care facility.

One of the first "Holiday" pictures...when we found out how much his friends at the health care facility enjoyed his cards....   He signed his Valentine Cards with a paw print and XOXO, Love Herschel. One of the staff came up to me a couple a weeks later to tell the story of one of the new resident care hires that had just started....she was worried that one of the resident's husband had left Valentines in other resident's room. She was worried that his wife didn't know about that.  The young woman hadn't met the big red dog, yet.   The human Herschel thought that was pretty funny since he and his wife were some of Herschel's best friends themselves.....

"Well they start out pretty small, Remi, but then Blondie keeps feeding them and eventually they grow up as big as Stuart..." Herschel tries to explain the new puppies to the puzzled Remi as they watch through the gate.

"I am the big dog. I don't have to travel in a kennel."

 Getting a kiss from the Izzy pup......

Christmas 2010.....

Christmas 2011

Visiting Florida.....protecting Remi from the 'gators.....

Traveling around FL after the 2010 GTG with Sarah and a few mementos.......

And did we already remind you of his love of water?

Another Valentine Day.....

Riding in his Sea Eagle kayak...

His navigator's position when traveling.  He never told about all those U-turns and missed turn offs....

Attending his Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Loveland Health Care Center.

Visiting Mitch at the Blue Marlin Resort and Spa.....chilling with his friends Miss Maggie and Carol.

"I got her feet covered. She's not going anywhere soon...."

On his trip to Alaska, walking with his "auntie" Liz...

Enjoying his favorite past time...the great back scratching roll...... this time by a river in Alaska.

Alaska. Waiting for the "aunties" to finish their tour of the building so that the important dog walking can continue....

Kelly Lake, Alaska.

Chicken, Alaska....

 "Did you happen to notice that those really big Buffaloes are walking all around us?  Should I be worried?"

The navigator is now at rest now but he enjoyed his journeys......and all his friends.....