Remembering Simon
 

On Wednesday morning (my birthday), our beloved and precious little Simon passed away suddenly from complications due to his ongoing battle with a collapsing trachea. He was six years old.

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We knew as soon as he was diagnosed with this disease that someday it was going to take him from us. Still, we were never going to be completely ready to say goodbye to him; a hundred years with Simon still would not have been enough.

My wife and I are absolutely devastated. The more you love someone, the more painful it is when they leave you, and we loved Simon fiercely. We've spent the weekend dealing with alternating waves of overwhelming grief and exhausted numbness, and I expect much of today will be the same. He was a constant, amazing source of joy for our family, and for such a little guy he's left an enormous hole in our lives.

I'll remember bringing him home for the first time, and how scared Kaylee, our other Yorkie, was of this new little furball running around her house.

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I'll remember giving Simon his very first bath, and keeping him warm afterwards.

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I'll remember the way that when he panted, he would curl his toungue back into his mouth... it looked like a little fruit roll-up.

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He used to like to sleep under the covers, and so he would paw at our shoulders until we lifted up the sheets for him. Then he'd wriggle his way down to the small of our backs, or the bend in our knees and snuggle up all warm and toasty.

I'll remember how so very much in love with my wife he was. I'm fortunate to work from home, and so I got to spend all day with Simon. But when she came home from work, there was nobody more important in the world to him. About the time she would get home, he'd park himself at the stairs and stare at the door waiting for her. He followed her everywhere. When she went to bed, he went to bed. He was so protective of her, and always wanted to be near her.

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I'll remember and cherish the way he used to like to sleep on my shoulders when I sat at the computer (or any chair with a high back, really). The people at the vet's office called him my "little parrot", because he always perched himself on my shoulders while we were in the waiting room.

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I'll remember his ears, and they way they always stood straight up, like antennae. Whenever we took him places, everybody always stopped us to comment on his ears.

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Simon was only here for an all-too-short six years, but I'm grateful that we were the ones that got to spend that time with him. We have no regrets; we went to the absolute ends of medical science to try and give him every opportunity for a long and comfortable life. I know that there was nothing more we could have done for him. And I know that, eventually, once time has worn the sharp edges off of this grief, that the incredible six years of memories we have with him will far, far outweigh the pain we're feeling right now. It doesn't alleviate the sorrow in the moment, but I take comfort in knowing that while he was with us, he was happy and he was loved. And the amount of happiness and love he gave us back is immeasurable.

I will miss my little buddy for the rest of my life.

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I am so very sorry. My heart breaks for you. What a sweetheart and thanks for sharing your story.

Also, welcome to our group and you have found dog lovers that totally understand your sadness. Sending deep sympathy...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your tribute to Simon was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. Your pictures told of the love that you and your wife shared for Simon. Please know that you are welcome here anytime.

If only every yorkie was as lucky as Simon was getting loved by owners like you. A beautiful tribute. We can tell Simon was your world. I hope soon you and your wife will be able to smile from the memories Simon has made instead of grieve. For such little dogs they leave a pretty big hole in our lives and hearts when they go. RIP Simon and have fun at the bridge with the rest of the angels that are there!

I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Simon.

So sorry RIP Simon

Your beautiful tribute made me cry. I can feel the love you had and always will have for Simon. A love like that never dies. I lost my little Gracie far too early from collapsed trachea. She had it from the time she was very little, and she lived 9.5 years. Sharing our hearts with her, like all of our Rainbow Bridge babies, was worth the deep pain we feel losing them. But, oh how we feel the love! I am deeply sorry for your loss.

I am sorry for your loss of your beautiful boy. Your pictures and tribute to Simon show the great love you and your wife shared with him. Rest in peace Simon.

I am so sorry for your loss... RIP sweet baby

I lost my Paris to CT also. I know how you feel. Peace to you in your sorrow.

What a loving memorial to Simon. He was truly loved and cherished. I loved the picturex especially the ones with you and Simon. You could see the love. My heart goes out to you at this terribly sad time.

What a lovely tribute to Simon, the bond you had is so beautiful. I noticed in one of the pictures that Simon was wearing a collar and leash, Joey’s breeder told me to avoid collars and always use a harness to help prevent collapsed trachea. Yorkies can be so stubborn at times, it’s best to have a harness where they can’t harm their neck. I hesitated to tell you this, but I thought you might like to know for next time. Best of luck, you look like a wonderful Yorkie dad.

I am saddened by the loss of your little angel, Simon. Your tribute to him was even more special with each of the pictures you shared. Praying for comfort for you and your wife, and may Simon rest in peace.

Yeah, that was from years ago, before he was diagnosed. I'm sorry to say we learned all too much about this disease all too quickly over the past year.

Once we found out about his condition, we removed the collar so that he wouldn't have anything around his neck at any time.

Thank you for all the thoughts and condolences everyone. I feel like I'm walking around with a piece missing, and the support helps.