And just like that, he's gone

[Kaiser2016]

My introductory thread for Kaiser was called "Here comes Kaiser!" and I named it that way because Kaiser entered our lives as a whirlwind, stirring things up, racing by, and we've just been trying to keep up with the impossible pace he sets. Then, the whirlwind stops and it's just us left. He's gone.

Kaiser left our lives on Monday, December 9, 2024. He had been doing fine until he wasn't. It was sudden and unexpected. He previously had a cold and cough and recovered, this time, it was different, he wouldn't recover. I was half hoping for a pneumonia diagnosis at best, or DCM at worst. Either way, optimistic that medicine would help buy time. The terrible news was lung cancer. The beast that had been a moving brick wall all these years, had turned to dust on the inside. The x-rays undeniable. His condition deteriorated quickly through Sunday night and he was euthanized in hospital on Monday.

He left behind his worldly possessions proving that those things don't matter, and we are left to grieve the one thing that mattered most to us.

This picture is the wallpaper on my computer. I took that shot with him leading the way and us trying to keep up. Now the picture feels like Kaiser has left without us.


I'm grateful for all the adventures we shared and only wish we could have had more time together. These are just some of my favorite pictures. How could I possibly share all my thousands of pictures of Kaiser that I have marked with a on my phone.

Puppy Kaiser coming home the first night to his new home.


He loved sunbathing right from the start.






He loved the snow.




He loved to play with balls and frisbees.


He could pose like a professional.




The beautiful black stallion.


Our last trip with Kaiser, to Waterton Lakes. First at the bottom of the lake.


Then at the top.


And the beautiful views on the way to Waterton. This image is the wallpaper on my phone. It used to be me taking a picture of my handsome devil, now it feels like he is looking beyond us.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Oh wow. This is such a shock! I am so sorry!!

Yes, they are just unstoppable and larger than life, then it feels so foreign when they go.

My deepest condolences again.

 

[jazzies mum]

My heart goes out to you. Kaiser was one of the dogs who taught me that my Jazz wasn't the only wild child out there and showed us that the wild child becomes the most devoted and beloved companion. So sorry for your loss.

 

[MyBuddy]

Omg, I am so sorry! I couldn't even read through everything yet I'm just in shock, just in shock. I'm so sorry. I can't stop crying Dear God, my heart is breaking for you. RIP Kaiser!

 

[JanS]

Oh my gosh no!!! I'm so very sorry and no words can describe what I'm feeling for you.

Run free sweet Kaiser.

 

[Rits]

Oh my gosh... I am so sorry. A pit dropped in my stomach when I opened DCF and saw your thread first. My heart simply breaks for you!!

 

[Ravenbird]

I'm hollowed out inside reading this. I'm so sorry. Kaiser was indeed a whirlwind - I could identify with him and all your adventures together. The crying won't stop.

 

[remy]

Wow… I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy! You two had an amazing life together filled with adventures! Rest in peace, Kaiser.

 

[Two Dobes]

I am weeping reading this, and looking at the beautiful photos of him....you are correct; he left without you. What a beautiful wallpaper photo of him heading into the meadow. I am so very, very sorry.

 

[Ddski5]

Nooo….
No way.

I am devastated. Kaiser has been an anchor for me when I come to DChat. Kaiser and Ragnar grew up together and we posted about the same crazy shit both got into moving through their stages. To see y’all running free across the Canadian landscape had me reminiscing and helped me feel good about the times Rag and I down here.

Always felt that I understood Kaiser because he was like Ragnar, such a strong presence that demanded respect and attention. You, them, everyone knew when Kaiser showed up…his presence demanded it. People backed up and hesitated….

Run forth Kaiser, go find Ragnar and let them all know who you are.

Damn…this hurts- another hole.
I am so so sorry.

 

[PhilT]

So very sorry to read that Kaiser has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, my condolences to you and your family, you have so many great memories off your time together and I hope these can bring you some comfort at this very sad time.
Run Free sweet Kaiser

 

[LifeofRubie]

Oh, I am so sorry... I hate when the Memorials forum is the newest one updated but the pictures and memories shared are always so beautiful.

I can't imagine the shock you're in; he was such a personality... Run free, sweet Kaiser

 

[Kaiser2016]

Thank you everyone for all your love for Kaiser "If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever." I now understand that saying all too well.

He was such a big personality. There is such a void and reminders of him are everywhere. The ball he was last playing with, I just found it in the pantry. He loved to steal pop cans out of the recycle bin, and I just found one under a shoe rack. It hurts to clean up after him, it feels like we are trying to erase him, but seeing all his things is equally painful. His Christmas packages are just now arriving too, and he's not here to announce the arrival of the delivery truck. We went out for dinner because my hb didn't want to be in the house. As we finished up dinner, I checked the time because we need to get back home to Kaiser...and then reality hits...we aren't going home to him. It's really so overwhelming, when the feelings come up, they can't be controlled

 

[DD4MSpock]

So very sorry for your loss. I truly hope you all meet again in Heaven.

 

[MyBuddy]

He was such a big personality. There is such a void and reminders of him are everywhere. The ball he was last playing with, I just found it in the pantry. He loved to steal pop cans out of the recycle bin, and I just found one under a shoe rack. It hurts to clean up after him, it feels like we are trying to erase him, but seeing all his things is equally painful. His Christmas packages are just now arriving too, and he's not here to announce the arrival of the delivery truck. We went out for dinner because my hb didn't want to be in the house. As we finished up dinner, I checked the time because we need to get back home to Kaiser...and then reality hits...we aren't going home to him. It's really so overwhelming, when the feelings come up, they can't be controlled

Oh how I remember those feelings! And still do to this day. I'm feeling it every time I think of you guys and Kaiser. And all the dogs that we've loved and lost. In our own life and here on the board! We really do grow to love each other's dogs. As each one passes, it's just as heartbreaking as if they were our own. We lost Buddy in December too. And Jan lost Albert on Christmas day! So painful.

Totally get the 'cleaning up'. Every time I'd see something that was his it would kill me. Coming into an empty house was the worst. I felt that after I lost my first Doberman. I had lost my Pomeranian and my cat. And then my doberman. There was nobody in the house. It was the first time either one of us had been without a pet. Since we were kids. They are a big presence in our lives and when they're gone there's such a void.

I wish I can say tell everyone in your position what will help you. But it's only time. Just the passage of time. In the meantime, we grieve. All of us. He will be missed.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Oh how I remember those feelings! And still do to this day. I'm feeling it every time I think of you guys and Kaiser. And all the dogs that we've loved and lost. In our own life and here on the board! We really do grow to love each other's dogs. As each one passes, it's just as heartbreaking as if they were our own. We lost Buddy in December too. And Jan lost Albert on Christmas day! So painful.

Totally get the 'cleaning up'. Every time I'd see something that was his it would kill me. Coming into an empty house was the worst. I felt that after I lost my first Doberman. I had lost my Pomeranian and my cat. And then my doberman. There was nobody in the house. It was the first time either one of us had been without a pet. Since we were kids. They are a big presence in our lives and when they're gone there's such a void.

I wish I can say tell everyone in your position what will help you. But it's only time. Just the passage of time. In the meantime, we grieve. All of us. He will be missed.

Thanks for sharing this. Going through Christmas will be so hard. Glad to hear I'm not the only one feeling such a range of emotions. I think part of the horror of all this is that I knew his age, but he acted like a puppy still, so my mind couldn't comprehend this death. He could still run fast, his body looked athletic, he had no grey hairs, I think I might have been expecting some physical indicators of aging before something like this would occur. It just messes with your mind to see a dog that LOOKS young, to die like that.

 

[strykerdobe]

OMG we are so very sorry for your loss. Kaiser will never be far away from you. This was once said to us when we lost our Stryker. They can see and hear us so talk to them often. Then maybe just one day just out of the corner of your eye you might see them.
Sending hugs.

 

[MyBuddy]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one feeling such a range of emotions.

You're not. Believe me. I can be smiling one minute. And the next minute sobbing uncontrollably. I often told my husband it's like throwing up. It just wells up in the pit of your gut till you are out of control. He mourned too!

And maybe it's good to talk about your feelings. When a pet or person dies, a lot of people are afraid to talk to you about them, for fear of upsetting you. They don't want to see you cry. But actually, sometimes I want to talk about them, want to reminisce and remember. And cry. For me, as some of you know, I grieve long. I'm swept away for a long time. That's just me. You take as long as you need. And if you want to talk, we're here.

 

[MichiH]

I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart is broken for you and reading this just crushed me. Time will heal and again I am so sorry. Hugs to you

 

[Kaiser2016]

OMG we are so very sorry for your loss. Kaiser will never be far away from you. This was once said to us when we lost our Stryker. They can see and hear us so talk to them often. Then maybe just one day just out of the corner of your eye you might see them.
Sending hugs.

Thanks for that. I remember when you first welcomed me to the chat and I replied 'wow your dogs are so buff' and then you told me that Stryker was no longer here. It felt so hard to believe because of how he looked. I had the same with Kaiser. He was an athletic dog and it's so shocking that he died. Thank you also for all the health tips over the years. We can try our best with diet and exercise, and sometimes still it won't make a difference