Goodbye, Good Boy!

Dearest Emma… the Best Vet in All the World… my very favourite one!

[It's way past my bedtime on Sunday, Treat Day, 10/5/26]

Mummy's going to drop off some choccies... enjoy them for me. I was never allowed to try them. Apparently, they're quite nice. Although, I did sniff out and gobble up a chocolate brownie that one of the bus kids tossed under the tree... it sure was yummy. It gave me quite a boost... just what I needed to get over my last operation.

Wow, Mummy didn't think I was going to come good from that one! Post op, I almost lost hope of ever being able to lift my leg, aim and wee on target again. I tell you, leg lifts are pretty important on our afternoon walks. Well, that and sniffing my furry friends and posts and grass and...

Hmm... where was I? What was I saying? What was I thinking? Oh, YeS!

You’re my Hero and highlight of every Vet visit... which I freely admit are pretty exciting and fun, even at the worst of times. They tell me, I've had my share of those times. Not that I have a single sad memory...

A while ago — just a few paws full of dog walks ago — you did a super-dooper job getting rid of my pesky lumps and bumps. I felt young and zippy again, despite my grey beard. It was worth it, spending quality time with you… not to mention the scrummy, finger nibbling treats you showered upon me. I think I only made that mistake a few times. Please believe me when I promise I didn't mean to chew your fingers... I was just snaffling down the dried pig's ears before you could change your mind.

Remember — a few hundred walks ago — you gave me a bit of a face lift (that silly little, lump on my nose made it tricky to see straight). Poppy, my adoring friend (she's another gorgeous black Lab, like me and lives a doggy walk down the road) really liked licked my derpy lip.

Sorry I didn’t get one twenty-seven last Good-bye pats from you, but life raced by much too fast. I was as surprised as anyone, when it was time to ‘leave town fast’ (as Mummy likes to say).

It's hard to believe that just last Monday, Mummy had to jog to keep up with me... that's how I stayed trim, taught tort taut and terrific. Even the emergency Vet Jess, said I still had great muscle tone, and she seems to know her stuff.

Despite all that… a nasty thing attacked my poor head (Jess called it a brain tumour, whatever that is). We didn't see it coming, so I guess it must have been quite sneaky. Mind you, just near the end, I couldn't see anything at all, but I could hear alright. Mummy and my sister Rissy sure were fussing over me… made me feel even more special than usual.

Still, no use complaining. I'm just your typical, happy-go-lucky Labrador, so I just kept on smiling, as we do.

I did snag some final cuddles, pats and kisses from Riss and Mummy. They really appreciated my silky, soft fur coat (wandering round the yard in the rain will do that) ... but I think they might be biased...

Anyway Emma... sorry, but I really do have to go.

Sending lots and lots of love, licks, tail wags…

Hudson,

Hud-bud,

Huddy Buddy,

Huddles the Good Boy.

X0x0x0x0XO!!

Sorry, I can't stick around... I'm so tired... it's time to have a long sleep…

*

P.S.

From Huddy’s Mummy:

Hudson is now resting under the gum tree in his wonderful, 3/4 acre back yard (which he diligently perused and patrolled many times daily).

He was a very Good Boy, right up to the last.

We were greatly blessed to have him light up our lives these past twelve years...

Oh, how we will miss him.

Goodbye, Good Boy!

*

His sister Mia’s Swan Song, soon afterwards…

Hudson was his big sister, Rissy’s hero...

Just four months ago, he diced with Death and won.

A lovely Spring encounter…