On Sunday, Elbee was his usual, energetic, over the top barking self. Suddenly, on Monday, he was lethargic and not eating, usually one of his favorite activities. After visits back and forth to the vet, he had surgery on Thursday night and they found an inoperable tumor. Sadly we had to let him go.
I had a weird virus when he was a puppy and couldn’t start training him as early as I’d hoped. Missing some of the crucial stages, there were times I was about to give up but friends encouraged me to stick with it. I’m glad I did.
Elbee was that crazy, full of life character who seemed as if he’d live forever. His unique personality made him a favorite of so many. Once you met Elbee, you couldn’t forget him. My fifteen year old grandson said, “He’s my favorite animal to have ever lived.”
Elbee leaves a legacy of special moments. For instance, there was the little girl that he visited in the neuropsych unit. Within minutes she went from being out of control, smashing her head on the wall and crying, to sitting on the floor with Elbee, teaching him how to take a bow after he won her over with his tricks.
There was the teenage boy in another psych unit who was disruptive and yelling, not wanting to join the group gathered around Elbee. After some time, he actually lay down on the floor and hugged Elbee. Then I heard him whisper, “I love you.”
At an adult health center, a man with severe depression who only smiles when the dogs are there, fell in love with Elbee. When Elbee would put his paws on a chair and bend his head as if “saying his prayers,” the man always felt as if the prayers were just for him.
Somehow Elbee’s alter ego developed a life of its own in my blog. He inspired my writing. I could hear his voice and knew what he was going to say. In the strangest way I felt as if I was channeling him. It gave me such artistic freedom.
His sarcastic remarks kept me in check. His honesty was refreshing. His thoughts made me and other people laugh. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Elbee is so funny.”
Now I have to day goodbye to the real Elbee and the Elbee of my imagination. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Thank you Elbee for being a larger than life character, for inspiring me and others and for making us laugh. Thank you for all of the amazing work and the healing that you did so selflessly.
Stanley and Gus are lost without you and keep waiting for you to come home. I take comfort in knowing that you’re home with your brother Charley and with your dear buddy Riley.
One of the best along with Charley and rest of your crew. You have always been a truly marvelous Handler and mentor for your dogs and all they do for so many at UCLA and other places throughout Southern California.
I truly miss working with you as you have Been Responsible for so many responsible for so many miracles over the years. I take joy and pride in knowing you and working alongside of you for so many years at Ucla.
I will truly miss your boy and the recent passing of my boy SHANE and so many others we have had over the years.
You never quite recover from the loss of our truly “best friends“.
May Elbee Rest In Peace along of Shane.
With Love,
Jack
Thank you for your kind and beautiful words. No one has been more responsible for starting me on this breathtaking therapy dog journey and for supporting me along the way. You can’t imagine how much I appreciate all that I’ve learned from you. And you’re right, we never do quite recover from losing our “best friends.” As someone wrote to me, how special is it to see them help others in ways that we never could. So sorry again about Shane. Let’s hope that he and Charley gave Elbee a warm, protective welcome.
Love,
Ellen
Dear Ellen,
I was in shock seeing this post on Twitter. I thought Elbee was larger than life, he was so funny and and invincible.
I grieve for your loss of such a force of nature and magnificent Therapy Dog. He is your inspiration and showed only the great love he had in his heart.
A life well lived. May Elbee’s memory bless you, your family and all who knew and loved him.
Love
Judy, Sheppy, Mazel and Ketzel
Dear Judy,
Thank you so much for your kindness, understanding and support. Elbee truly was that crazy force of nature which makes it so hard to deal with his passing. I cherish the memories and hope they will continue to inspire me. Let his spirit live on.
Love,
Ellen