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View Full Version : In Loving Memory of Rumble Stiltskin - sorry, it is long.



alfina
12-30-2005, 05:30 PM
Rumble Stiltskin
July 3, 1996 - December 24, 2005

Ruble came into or lives shortly after I and dh (my then-boyfriend) got together. We couldn't afford much and definitely couldn't afford a dog. Especially a bulldog. I was brand new to the country and was very homesick.

I remember the day we picked him up. We went to see the litter. There were 3 puppies left 2 girls and Rumble. His sisters were so naughty. The whole time we were visiting there, they were chewing our shoe laces, biting Rumble's ears, etc. He was the complete oppposite. He was quiet and gentle. We just loved him right away and home he went with us. The whole way home, he slept on my lap. When we got home, he never cried for his family. He was so happy to get away from those naughty sisters of his.

He quickly became my baby. Quite a sick baby, I should say. We had to deal with demodectic mange, ear infections, digestion problems, etc. That is when I met our vet of 9 years Dr. Marln Nipper. They loved Rumble as much as I did and "threatened" to steal him away from us numerous times.

When Natasha arrived, Rumble was a bit jealous. But he quickly became her protector. No matter who it was, Rumble would try to chase them away from Natasha, when she seemed upset or in danger in his opinion. Even I got a taste of his powerful dash when I was roughhousing with Natasha. She learned to stand up pulling herself up by holding on to Rumble. When she was 2 she tried to ride Rumble like a pony. She liked coloring him. One day he'd be in blue polak dots and another he would be pink. Never once was he mad at her. Till the last day he always slept in her room at night. I am still puzzled how she could tolerate his loud snoring.

Last year Rumble had a lot of problems with his eyes but otherwise was perfectly healthy. December 2nd, he passed his annual senior exam with complete battery of tests. I was quite happy to see that. Friday night I was trimming Sabrina in our utility room. I heard a big thump in the living room. I rushed over to find Rumble passed out on the floor. He was unresponsive with his eyes moving weirdly. Then in a min or two he "woke up" as if nothing was wrong with him. We rushed him to an Emergency Clinic. There we were told hat his heart beat was abnormal and he was given a shot of lidocane. His heart beat stabilized but for a very short time. He was admitted in and put on an IV drip through the night. Saying goodbe to him, I promised to see him in the morning. When I called to check on him at 6:30am he was resting comfortably but the vet told us that his heart beat still rised to 250 when he becomes agitated. We were going to have a specialist perform an echocardio and suggest the treatment. At 7am the phone rang. Rumble passed away. He had eaten his morning meal and quietly went over the Bridge. It was so just like him. He would never go outside or do anything in the morning until he had his morning meal.

We went to see him at the clinic and he was still warm. Looked as he had just fallen asleep.

Christmas was very tough. This was our first Christmas as a family without Rumble. His Christmas gift remained unwrapped under the tree.

In my mind I know that you are no longer with us. I know that 9.5 years is a very long time for a bulldog. But it is still not long enough for me. I cry for you every day you've been gone. I think about you every minute. I know you are in a better place now but it hurts so badly not to have you around any more. Though you never barked and slept most of the time lately, the house without you is so empty and quiet. Sounds crazy because I still have 3 barking chasing each other dachsies. But even they know you are gone. Your bed is still in the same spot with the big imprint your body left in it last time you were home. No dachsie has used the bed. They are saving it for you.

Run free and healthy my boy. I love you forever.


http://home.earthlink.net/~dachsieherd/images/rumble.jpg

If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you back again.
Author Unknown

Jen
12-30-2005, 05:51 PM
:sad1: :sad1: :sad2: :sad3: :bighug: Such a sweet tribute to Rumble. I can hardly see too type. He had a very happy life with you and your family and will be much missed.

twodogslong
12-30-2005, 05:51 PM
My heart is broken for you. I have always loved your threads and stories of Rumble, I sit here reading and crying openly, feeling how painful this must be for you and your family.....and reading your loving tribute to Rumble is a reminder to all of us how fleeting our time together with our beloved pets is.

Rumble spent his short but happy life surrounded by creatures (human and otherwise ) who loved him dearly, I am sure this was his last happy comforting thought ,as he closed his eyes, and with a nice full tummy went over the bridge.

Lisa
12-30-2005, 05:56 PM
Olga, that was so beautiful. Reading that my heart aches for you and your family. I am truly sorry for your loss. :gphug: I hope with time your :heartbk: will heal.

jenfer
12-30-2005, 06:06 PM
i am :sorry: for your loss. this is a beautiful tribute to your baby.

:sad1:

:bighug:

Goob
12-30-2005, 06:13 PM
:sad1: :sad2: Thanks for sharing about him. I'm so sorry for your family. I too, can barely see to type.

K2
12-30-2005, 07:15 PM
It sure is hard to type this. :sad3: That was a beautiful tribute to Rumble. :angel7: I am so sorry for you loss.

Patt
12-30-2005, 07:33 PM
Olga that was beautiful, loving and not long at all. :hearts: :hearts: My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. :bighug:

Otto'sMom
12-30-2005, 07:44 PM
My heart just breaks for you. That was simply the most beautiful tribute.

Susa
12-30-2005, 08:09 PM
You have my deepest sympathies. Thank you for posting a beautiful tribute.

JanUet
12-30-2005, 09:07 PM
Olga,

That was a Beautiful Tribute to Rumble. I'm sure he misses you too :hearts:
I am so Sorry for your loss. I will light a :candle3: for Rumble tonight and say a little :pray:er for him.

Yolanda
12-30-2005, 11:23 PM
Dear Olga, I am so glad you took the tme to write about Rumble. It is a lovely heart touching story. I know he is missed. Take care my friend and know that we all love you and the memory of Rumble. The picture you posted of him is beautiful.

Fluffy
12-31-2005, 12:22 AM
Olga, that is one of the most beautiful tributes I've ever read. I too am typing through tears. I am so so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in knowing he's running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Use us for support anytime you feel the need. :rayz: :rayz: for you and your family.

lotsadox
12-31-2005, 01:02 PM
Olga, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved Rumble and he knew it, too. He's free and happy now and waiting for you. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers.

mydachsies
12-31-2005, 01:14 PM
:sad1: I am so sorry for your loss.:sad2: It took me a while to finish reading the tribute cause I was :sad2: .Looks like he lived a happy life until the end.

Nancy
12-31-2005, 07:56 PM
That is a beautiful tribute.

MomToDolly&Madison
12-31-2005, 11:59 PM
I've got tears streaming down my face. Sending my sympathies (even though you don't know me) to your family for Rumble. Hold on to your good memories.

Courtney
01-01-2006, 12:36 AM
Olga that is just so sweet. I will miss Rumble so much also. :angel7: :angel7: :hug99: :hug99:

Jill
01-01-2006, 09:38 AM
:sad1: I am so sorry for you. What a wonderful life you gave to your boy.

:bighug: to you.

oceangirls
01-02-2006, 07:59 PM
Oh Olga, I'm so sorry! What a painful Christmas for all of you. Your boy is watching over you from the Bridge; may good memories begin to replace the pain. Thanks for sharing him with us, and we are so glad you're here to do so.:heart1: :candle:

isobelsmom
01-03-2006, 07:28 PM
Olga, My heart just breaks for you and your family at the loss of Dear Rumble. I know how much he is loved by all.....As I type this, the tears are streaming from my eyes and I can feel how much you miss and love him and he feels the same for his mama, daddy and sisters!

Big hugs, dear friend, and your tribute and picture of dear Rumble are beautiful beyond belief. He will be missed by many on this board as well.

Remember, please, Olga, call if you need to talk...always and any time!:hearts:

Frzframe
01-04-2006, 11:34 PM
Oh Olga I'm just now seeing this and I'm so sorry for you and your families loss. My heart is breaking for you guys. What you wrote was so beautiful and that photo broke my heart a little more when I saw it. I too will miss Rumble adventures that you posted. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. (((((hugs)))))

Gay Larsen
01-13-2006, 04:33 PM
Dear Alfina: [Not sure I'm using your proper name - sorry if I'm wrong]

Your tribute breaks my heart but you had a wonderful 9.5 years with your special boy, and he died such a natural death with no heroic efforts. Ate his last meal and passed as he had lived: Quietly and without a lot of fanfare! He obviously loved his family dearly. I loved your pic & I'm sad that he passed away thru Christmas [Holidays 2005 was a bad year for many]. Your tribute to him is absolutely beautiful & the "stairway" phrase never fails to bring tears to my eyes. This has been such a short time - I know you're still in intense pain! Even when we are given many, many years with our pets, we always want more & their passing is never expected. May God & Rumble's memories ease your pain. I'll definitely be thinking of you & Rumble today & I will definitely include both of you in my prayers tonight. I hope this gets easier as the days pass; that's the way it's supposed to be, but with some, it sure takes longer than others! What a beautiful story, Alfina. You were blessed to have that special boy! Gay