Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Only in France .



Lunch over Wilf is loaded into the back of the car . A slightly uncertain  ' am I off to the vet ? ' look on his face . The vet gives Wilf a full hour of his time . Lots of tickles . The outcome ? Things just slowly shuting down . He doesn't know how ill he is , so he doesn't worry .There's no pain , so no need for pain killers . Restart the Cortisone to ease the breathing and the arthritis . Last weeks flare-up caught in time . One of those things with cancer - ' a candle sputters as it burns ' .

The vet thinks he's happy . Not, the wild, coming to terms with living happiness of a puppy . More like being wrapped in warm cotton wool . A shrinking world of misty edges. Love, trust and routine marking its boundaries.

The vet quotes a line:"Il est vrai que lui aussi doit avoir sa petite chronique" *. Over dinner ' the font ' comments that only in France could a vet quote Beckett and somehow get it right. Absolutely, life affirmingly , beautifully , right . I have to agree. It goes without saying that Wilf does too .

* " It is right that he too should have his little chronicle, his memories, his reason, and be able to recognize the good in the bad, the bad in the worst, and so grow gently old down all the unchanging days, and die one day like any other day, only shorter ".

38 comments:

  1. Wilf..let not the light fade so soon lest we cease to enjoy ur company. Tread the way to the rainbow bridge with dignity and we will soon follow.

    Bats & Robin

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  2. Amen.
    We should all wish for such a sweet journey.
    xoxo,
    p.

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  3. Our vet can recite a lot of Robert Burns, but I am not so sure about Samuel Beckett. Will have to ask!

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  4. I think he knows that, most of all, he is wrapped abundantly in love.

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  5. that quote is what we should all wish for and maybe should be written on the walls of many and old peoples home....
    love and hugs to wilfee....oh and to you and the font of course!!

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  6. A wise vet! In your first paragraph the old saying "igonrance is bliss" comes to mind - for Wilf, so long as his bliss is filled with lots of love (which I know it is), no pain and interesting food treats then, like your vet, I know that he is happy.

    The most difficult thing for us humans to do is to live in that moment too, not thinking but just enjoying each moment we have with our little friends.

    Sending love to you all from NZ ,
    Riley's mum (and Riley)

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  7. Sweet serendipity..you were meant to move to this part of the world and find this very special vet.
    Wilf gently influencing...a guiding beacon of rare and beautiful light wrapped up in a fluffy bundle. We are all drawn here to his flame. Let it be a slow burn x

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  8. Like some of your other commenters, I find it heartwarming that Wilf is drifting so beautifully into the next world, surrounded by love and kindness. How I wish that all human beings could be sure of the same. And how I wish all vets were like yours.

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  9. Lovely vet you have in France Profonde - happy that he is still here and happy - looking gorgeous. Love and bacetti sul nasino Susanne, Daisy, Foxiie and Kiri

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  10. And what a privilege to be witness to his ongoing "little chronicle" - and not so little either!

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  11. A beautiful quote, so fitting for these precious and treasured days. Continued prayers coming to you all for the peaceful, unhurried journey to continue.

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  12. I never doubted that Wilf was happy and content in the moment for now! He seems like a fellow who's not afraid to make his feelings known.

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  13. Wilf,I pray that you will have more days than any one thinks you might have. Days fill wirh warm sun touching your polar bear fur, walks in the country and smelling the fresh air.My all your meals and treats be just what you like.

    May you have a better day than you had yesterdday, love and hugs to you dear Wilf.

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  14. I think I need to move to France with my entourage of animals! That is rather fine care that you are receiving! As long as there is no pain, let the days just glide along. Keep on going Wilf!

    With love from your Canadian pals,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

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  15. I was going to write that you have the best vet, I think that you do, but I think that Wilf just inspires greatness in others. There is something about Wilf, his story, his life with you and 'the font' that makes us want to stop and enjoy the cuddles and ear rubs.

    THank you for sharing him with us. I feel like I am lucky for having found him.

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  16. Wow. Love the quote. so appropriate. What a cool vet. I just love your beautifully written perspective on these dwindling days. Wilf is teaching us all a lesson on how to enjoy life one day at a time. With coconut ice cream of course.

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  17. this is a most beautiful post.
    from that beloved tiny polar bear on his new rose blanket...
    to the quote from becket. that a vet could do it by rote... well!
    we all felt that you have the best vet ever. now we know for sure.
    i hope the horrid men in black suits will not pull you away for a while. some things are so much more important than mere finance.
    especially since the greedies of the world stay in the same mess.
    same old song. second verse.
    seconds count as precious moments now.
    love to the best three in france profonde,
    tammy j

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  18. I've said it before...your vet is a real treasure.

    Cindy

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  19. Wilf's days are as beautiful as the setting of the sun. How lovely to have a compassionate and wise vet as your guide.

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  20. Many human doctors could learn a profound lesson from your wise vet. What a blessing that he is there to care for your dear fluffy companion and to reassure you and the font.

    zxxx Joan

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  21. It is hard to beleive from these photos that this is a dog that is in his prime...I could not agree more with your vet. Wilf looks to be a happy and content dog, and he has a family that obviously loves him and is doing everything they can do to make sure his life is wonderful.

    Have a great day wilf, angus and the font.

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  22. Heartwrenching. What a wonderful compassionate vet. We ar e with you on your journey, Wilf, and standing with the Font and Ongoose. Most of us will never meet you face to muzzle, but we are there with you-even if it is via only the internet.

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  23. I'm glad that Wilf has you.

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  24. My 82 year old Aunt has recently found out that she has leukemia and less that a year to live. Her outlook is much like Wilfs - in fact I want to share you blog with her - I think she will be able to identify with him. Thank you for letting a group of strangers become friends (through a couple of Polish dogs in Italy, then France) and take this journey with you.

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  25. Tears stream down my face as I read this post. These bittersweet days are indeed a gift...I, like so many others, would give anything to avoid the ultimate outcome's arrival. Such love I have for Wilf and you and the 'font'...can't bear the thought of the changes that are inevitable. Loved the vet's quote...he is heaven sent indeed.

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  26. This vet is a true blessing. For dearest Wilf, all is as it should be...DBH

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  27. As long as Wilf is happy, we are happy.

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle, Maggie Mae and Max

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  28. Good night sweet Wilfee, all my love for you.
    See you tomorrow !

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  29. sigh. Beckett. no words. just hommage.

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  30. I think I have a serious crush on your vet. It may be love.

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  31. Hmpff, the last time I took my little lamb of a dog to the vet he spent a good deal of the time staring at my "decolettage" (the vet, my dog is a gentleman) that was appropriately covered, and I could swear he was trying to chat me up . . . we shall be going to a different vet next time.

    A vet that quotes about it being right that Wilf should have his own chronicle of life and says things about a candle burning down casting the most lovely light is a vet to keep and cherish. Happy that he is Wilf's vet.

    Louise

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  32. OH, I just have to make one more comment! HOW PERFECT is that quote about growing gently old! Just yesterday you had mentioned that you want to be sure Wilf's remaining days remain gentle? I shall ask a quuestion you have asked before. Coincidence?

    Louise

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  33. Wilf wrapped up in love. My thoughts are with you all. What a beautiful life's chronique you have shared with us.

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  34. Hey, Wilfee, you good fellow you! A warm and wonderful family, a splendid Vet looking out for you, You being a guy who has already lived 100s of days beyond your first prognosis, and all of us your adopted international family hoping very much that you will carry on for hundreds of more days, its all just so amazing, isn't it? With all of our love, Jo, Stella,and Zkhat!

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  35. That quote is quite simpl beautiful and as you say ... right .

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  36. Beautiful, beautiful ... as my beloved Missy Winnie D nears her 13.5 birthday I shall remind myself of this beautiful quote, of the very handsome Wilf & of your wonderful wisdom & care Angus. Much love xoxo les Gang

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