To the best dog who ever was and ever will be - we will miss you forever.
On Thanksgiving Monday Rigbee peacefully passed in his favourite spot surrounded by the love of his family and cuddled by his best friend/brother/life partner, Hot Rod. He was 16 years old.
Rigbee was the most loving, vibrant, sweet dog. Rigbee never stopped wagging his tail. Anyone who met him fell in love with him instantly. He always knew when you needed him for a snuggle. He had the softest coat and a haircut could totally transform his look. He had the longest fur between his toes and would collect the biggest snowballs in there during the winter.
In October 2010 my husband sent an email with a link to a PetFinder profile that said “COCKER SPANIEL PUPPY! OMG”. Rigbee’s profile from Winnipeg Animal Services had the cutest little picture of him with a cherry eye. My husband and mother-in-law waited outside WAS the next morning to be the first ones to see him. That was one of the best decisions they ever made, even if I was at first upset because I was attending vet school in Saskatoon when the new puppy came home.
Rigbee loved swimming, zooming around the backyard, licking his dog brothers (Hot Rod and Jack), and going for walks. He helped foster 4 dogs and was so loving with all of them. Rigbee loved sleeping on his back, fully sprawled out. He would make troll sounds when he played with the other dogs and had the best snores.
We said he was just the right amount of smart. Smart enough to learn some obedience, but not willing to push boundaries. He did have a few mischievous moments, including jumping onto the kitchen table and eating the crust around the edge of a pie.
In his senior years he lost his hearing, but he never slowed down. Sadly he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer in September. In Rigbee fashion he never looked sick and maintained high spirits until the end. We sent away his DNA to Embark to figure out if he really was a Cocker X Cavalier. We were absolutely floored to learn he had 0% Cavalier Spaniel. His makeup was 56.5% Cocker Spaniel, 12.9% Poodle, 10.7% Maltese, 5.3% Shih Tzu, 3.6% Bichon and 11% Supermutt (which likely includes Pekingese, Pomeranian and Japanese Chin). We learned that mixing every small breed dog with a Cocker Spaniel will eventually look like and act like a large Cavalier. It has been healing to see the family connections with his cousins all over North America.
Left to mourn are his lifetime caregivers (my husband & me), his newer caregivers (our sons), his bestie Hot Rod, his Grandma (who was with him the first few years of his life and his last moments) and many other loved family members and friends.
We know that he was met by his other best friend Jack, old pal Tiger, Uncle Oreo, Auntie Nina and many others.
Life will never be the same without him, but we will forever cherish our special guy.
