Woodwind’s Lazarus (Lazlo) AX AXJ WAC (1999(?) – 2006)
Laz left us yesterday, 6 days after being diagnosed with terminal osteosarcoma which had progressed to his lungs and ribs. I discovered a growth in his lower jaw that was oozing blood into his mouth. It was obviously very painful and he was going to have a bleeding incident very soon. This growth had not been visible a couple of hours before and was a visual of what was happening throughout his body. To our amazement this dog had still never limped and had eaten milk bones a couple of hours before I saw the growth. That was the kind of dog he was and the kind of heart he had. He took me for a walk on the farm, leading the way and looking back for me as if to say, “Are you coming with me?”
These long 6 days have given me a lot of time to think about who Laz was and what he taught me over the short 5 years that he was with me. He came to us ugly and starved and became a dog that was always praised by people as beautiful. He was a heathen with no training and became the most mannerly and reliable dog. He loved training and surpassed our expectations of him in agility. I have no doubt that if this terrible disease had not struck him, he would have continued to exceed our expectations. He was a natural protector who always had the exact, appropriate reaction to threat of any kind. He was fearless and went from being a dog that didn’t look at strangers to one that greeted everyone he met with joyfulness. Laz brought that joyfulness to everything he did. He did that in his last visit to the hospital, even through the pain. Laz was a fighter who prized his life and fought desperately against the disease to keep his life. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was to end that fight.
I learned that a dog can have more character, honesty and devotion than most humans. I learned that a dog can go from being canine refuse to the most treasured and beloved friend. I learned that when I thought that I could never love another dog as much as one I lost, I could and would and did.
I know that people like to imagine a rainbow bridge where their dog waits for them and enjoys a version of their own doggie heaven in the mean time. I’m having trouble with this because Laz’s version of heaven was being with me anywhere and any time. When he left me yesterday a huge piece of my daily joy went with him, there is a big hole where he used to be.
My Favorite Chair (For Laz)
From my favorite chair
I watched your world
The day to day routines, the comings and goings
And you became my world
From my favorite chair
I came to know all about you
Your scent, the sound of your laughter
The variations in your voice
From my favorite chair
I came to love you with all my heart
For the chance you gave me when no one else would
And for all I saw in your heart that was kind and good
From my favorite chair
When you would leave
I waited patiently for your footsteps at the door
So that my world could begin again
From my favorite chair
I would have gladly sprung in an instant
To defend you with my life
Because you were my life
And still, if you look with your heart
You will see me, in my favorite chair
Watching over your world
Waiting patiently for your footsteps at the door
Author Deb Stevenson Laz’s good friend
This is the final chapter in Lazarus' story and with that this board is closed. My thanks to Lisa for letting us know about Laz and to each and everyone of you that have come here over the years. Godspeed, Lazarus.
Angus Macinnes
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