Remembering Remy
"Run clean, run fast, Remy, and we'll see you at the finish line."
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"There is one best place to bury a dog. If you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you call - come to you over the grim, dim frontier of death, and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not growl at him, nor resent his coming, for he belongs there. People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no whimper, people who may never really have had a dog. Smile at them, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing. The one best place to bury a good dog is in the hearts of his masters." Ben Hur Lampman, from the Portland Oregonian Sept. 11, 1925 (with thanks to Judy McGlothlin) |
Remy died on 21 December 2010, during a rare lunar eclipse on the winter Solstice.
We posted this tribute to Remy to the dachshund community --
Last night the moon bled and the sky wept to honor the passing of Remy, FC Wagsmore's My Favorite Martin CD RAE4 MX MXJ PAX2 XFP ME W-BBFD-MF (October 27, 1997 - December 21, 2010), at age 13.
Remy was our beloved and loyal companion and our enthusiastic partner in hundreds of runs in earthdog, agility, obedience, rally, freestyle dance, and the field.
Remy persevered through the onset of seizures at age 6, two bouts of aspiration pneumonia, two abdominal surgeries, and finally surgery to remove a giant lung tumor in early November. Remy never lost his joy in training and competing with us and completed his last agility course on Sunday. As one of our friends said last month, "In the dictionary entry for "trooper", there is a picture of Remy."
But last night Remy began bleeding in the nose and lungs and was struggling hard to breathe. The cancer had roared back. We fed him a few last bits of string cheese and held him in our arms as he was put to sleep at 2 am.
Remy was our Novice A dog and among his many accomplishments are:
-- Co-winner, DCA Triathlon Dog of 2010
-- 3-time DCA Triathlon Qualifier (2004, 2007, 2010)
-- 4-time DCA Agility High in Trial winner (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010)
-- 5-times in the DCA Agility Top Ten (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
-- first dachshund to earn the RAE2, RAE3, and RAE4 rally titles
-- second dachshund to earn PAX and PAX2 agility titles
-- specialty obedience High in Trial winner
Remy started his AKC career in earthdog and it remained one of his favorite sports to the end of his career. He died needing one post-March 2010 leg for his Endurance Earthdog title.
Remy's final year was one of his best. He earned his PAX2 on December 31, 2009; placed 7th in the AKC National Agility Championship in March 2010, and was co-winner of the DCA Triathlon and Preferred Standard Agility High in Trial winner at DCA 2010 in September. We treasured every moment of these final competitions, knowing that the end could come at any time.
Remy changed our life. Because of Remy, we became involved in AKC events; added Ouzo, Asti and Olive to our family; became members of DCSAV, DCA, and NATC; and are AKC trial chairs and judges. Our life will not be the same without Remy, but we have this legacy and 13 years of wonderful memories, photos and video.
Thank you to Jeff and Karen Dionne for giving us this very special dog and to all our dachshund friends for their support over the years.
-- Diane Webb & John Willmore
Tributes to Remy
Condolences and tributes to Remy poured in after his death. Here are some of them:
We are saddened to hear the news of the passing of Remy. You should be so pleased not only with the accomplishments that you enjoyed but also with the deep connection and teamwork that Remy had with both of you. The few times we were able to witness in person him running in agility with John and then going into obedience with you without missing a beat was very
impressive. It was obvious to everyone that his love for the two of you was limitless.
We are also so very proud of his accomplishes and thank you for the nurturing and dedication that you displayed to him throughout his life. We followed his career and cheered him on from afar.
We wish you comfort and peace in the warmth of the many wonderful memories you created while sharing his life. He was certainly a special once in a life time dog.
-- Karyn & Jeff Dionne, Wagsmore
You know I love Remy as one of my own and will miss him dreadfully. Remy and the things you did with him were such an inspiration to me to keep going with my guys. You certainly have tons of memories, and photos and videos etc to make you smile through the tears. I'm glad he's at rest now. He sure put up a valiant fight against all his afflictions. -- Cris Baldwin
Even though we all knew it was coming, it's still hard to lose such a special dude from our community. Remy is the source that led you and John to become deeply embedded in dog sports and, as such, I know Remy will always be near and dear to your heart. Let all his ribbons and photos remind you of how special he was, but especially remember that "off duty" time with him when he was just a super loving pet, partner, and family member. -- Sharon McDonald
What an EXCELLENT AWESOME dog Remy was. He was truly a dachshund with a spirit of cooperation and a will to succeed. I admired him. -- Patt Nance
We are very sorry to hear about Remy. He was such a great little guy, a wonderful mix of gentle companion and spirited athlete. I know how special he was to both of you and we will miss him at events. -- Steve and Cheryl Shultz
I just heard about Remy and I want to say how sorry I am to hear this news. I had a chance to look at his YouTube of his triathlon win at DCA this year, he looked like he truly loved all that he did. I know and share your sorrow. -- Betsy Fortman
Remy had a wonderful, full life and made his own huge mark in this world for sure. He is being fondly remembered by so many people. We will all miss him but none more than you both. -- Jan Oswald
I really thought Remy was going to make it. Such a pretty boy, even in the last pictures from Cris with his purple fleece coat that you made him. I remember seeing him in agility years ago when I never knew what agility was and he was amazing. Remy is a beautiful, talented dog and he will live in our hearts forever. -- Shawn Black
Remy was an amazing dog! What a legacy! I never met him, but I remember
watching him at a trial once. He inspired me to get involved in agility! -- Cris Lewis, Penny-Lew Dachshunds
I just got back from Spokane, and read about Remy. He looked so good at DCA, he did not look 13 years, and he did not look like a dog with cancer. As realistic as it is, that all good dogs must go sometime, it is still a shock, and one I was not prepared for. -- Selma McNamara
I have heard many wonderful things about Remy from Patt. I'm sure that Asti and Olive will misss Remy, too. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. -- Jennifer, Griffin and Gretel
I was very sorry to hear that your Remy left you. I had the pleasure of watching him work once at a Badger Dachshund show one year. Hold your memories close; may they help to heal your broken hearts. -- Andi B.
So very sorry for your loss.. an amazing dog with a wonderful legacy. -- Karen Mann
What a beautiful tribute to your special dog. You gave him the care and nurturing to play and work for all of his life through many health problems. He gave you his all. You were good for each other for all of his days, and were with him at his final moments. What more can a good dog wish for? -- Barbara Axel
I never met Remy,but how cool of God to honor him with a once in a lifetime Lunar Eclipse for a once in a lifetime dog. -- Bobby Sandoval, Sandachs Minilongs
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On the one year anniversary of Remy's death, we released Version 1.0 of BizInt Smart Charts Reference Rows -- a software product that our company had been working on for many years -- in memory of Remy. On 21 December of each year, the software displays a message "in memory of Remy". |
