Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Goodbye, Ben...


Benjamin Oliver Keith Hawkins
24 March 1995 - 2 July 2008


Ben, the two of us need look no more
We've both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own, I'll never be alone
And you, my friend, will see - you've got a friend in me

Ben, you're always running here and there
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
If you ever look behind, and don't like what you find
There's something you should know - you've got a place to go

I used to say 'I' and 'me'
Now it's 'us', now it's 'we'

Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do, I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again - if they had a friend like Ben
'Ben' (written by D. Black & W. Scharf, 1972, recorded by Michael Jackson)

It's with a very sad heart that I have to announce that Kate's family d-o-g, Ben, was helped to the bridge this morning. Kate's very brave mum took Ben to the v-e-t, but he had tumours in his mouth and lungs and could not be treated. Ben, a golden retriever-border collie cross, was the son of Gemma, Kate's childhood pet, who went to the bridge in 1999.

I didn't ever meet Ben (because we live 3 hours' drive from Kate's family home), but I'm told he was a loyal, friendly, loving d-o-g, who provided Kate's family with much joy over the years. He will be remembered as an excellent friend, walking and swimming buddy, and a boundary rider without peer (his favourite hobby was patrolling the perimeter of the family's half-acre block). For the first time since she was 5 years old, Kate is now d-o-gless.

But she's still got me.

Cheers,
--Pabs

12 comments:

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

I am so sorry knowing about Ben....
GoodBye~~~ Ben.....

The Cat Realm said...

Oh we are so sorry! We came to thank you for your condolences on Emil's passing and now you lost a fiend yourself. Life is tough, and it is so hard to lose loved ones. We are sorry, our thoughts and hearts and purrs are with you.
Karl and Mrs. OZ

Parker said...

Our sympathies to Kate and to her family.
Ben looked to be a lovely woofie.

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

We are very sorry about Ben. We are sending purrs.

Daisy said...

I am very sorry to learn the sad news about Ben. My sincerest condolences.

Axel and Manny said...

I am very sorry for you and Kate pabs. Give Kate lots of purrs and cuddles on my behalf!!
I know what its like, as I witnessed daddy's 'rex' die that very sad night almost 4 years ago (22nd July) in the living room. (They had the v-e-t come to us) I comforted daddy that night, and all-day every-day for a week afterwards. You do the same.

burrrr.

Honey P. Sunshine said...

we are so sorry about ben

mister jeter harris, hizself said...

congratyoolashunz to benny an rachel ...

an a verree sad goodbye to ben. i wuz akshooallee singin da song. pleeze tell kate i'm sorree.

pabz ... wid regard to yer kweschun abowt da lovely madonna an a-rod, hizself ... how did dat roomer get to australia alreadee! mi dad sed dey hav da same manager. i wood be verree disappointed wid a-rod ... but he hadda good game wile she wuz at yankee stadium watchin.
luv--jh

Kaz's Cats said...

Big kitty hugs to Kate, 'cos it's hard to lose a furry furriend. Maybe you could give Kate some extra rubs and snuggle with her to comfort her. Our condolences also to Kate's brave parents, who looked after Ben so well, and made sure he didn't suffer.

love and purrs,

Gypsy & Tasha

Phoebe said...

Dear Pablo, I'm so sorry to hear about Ben the D-O-G, especially for Kate. I know that she knew Ben more than you did. It is so thoughtful of you to post a tribute for him.

Poppy Q said...

Kate, that was a nice tribute to your woofie Ben. We are sorry to hear that he had to go to the bridge, we know you will miss him.

Smooches.

Poppy and Julie Q

Anonymous said...

Oh, Pablo -- I'm so sorry to hear about precious Ben. My heart goes out to Kate and her family. It's so hard to lose a loved one.

But remember, where there was love, there's never a last goodbye. May Kate's memories of Ben comfort her during this difficult time. She is in my purrs.

Purrs and snuggles from Marilyn.