Red and the old woman Slow
December, 2000 – February 22, 2016
It is with immeasurable pain and sorrow I must tell our Amigos and Sports Fans that the old woman Slow’s best friend and faithful companion has passed on to his reward, which Pretty and Slow both hope is a rich one.
Red spiced up our lives with his annoying barking rants and raves and endless supply of Welsh terrier energy. Nothing and no one escaped his tirades, but he saved his love for his Pack and Pretty and Slow.
He ran away from us countless times for reasons known only to him – but always ran to someone who would call us to bring him home. His escapes were remarkably injury free and equally free from remorse. We hope this final escape is his best ever.
No words can express the depth of our sadness at bringing Red’s Rants and Raves to this ending. We understand death is inevitable, but we will miss the Spirit of The Red Man that brought us such joy and happiness and was the life of our homes on Worsham Street in Texas and at Casa de Canterbury in South Carolina. Our lives will be entirely too quiet without him.
Smokey Lonesome Ollie, Paw Licker Annie, Tennis Ball Obsessed Chelsea, Fence Jumper Spike and The Red Man will live forever in our hearts and memories as will all of our cyberspace friends who are now a part of our family. We will miss you all.
Get me outta here, Percy – and he did.
Red's Rants and Raves 
Oh heavens, no. What on earth happened to the darling boy? Hugs and love xAx
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The cancer had spread to other areas and was much more aggressive. The pain made it difficult for him to get up and down – but he kept right on walking around and held his head high up until the last breath today. The last few weeks have been very hard so we had to let him go this morning. Thank you so much for the hugs and love. We will still be checking in on our favorite travelers across the Pond. Stay safe,
Slow and Pretty
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Isn’t it awful to have to make that decision. You know when the time is right though. Bless him.
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It was truly agonizing, as you know. We had it scheduled a week ago, but cancelled. But after the weekend, we really had no choice. I was determined to see that he went out keeping his spirit strong. And that he did.
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I know these words were among the hardest you have ever written Sheila. I am holding you and Theresa close in my heart.
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Truly they were, Mims. I wrote and re-wrote many times over the past year since he’s been sick with cancer. I cry every time. We were lucky to have him for 15 years. Thank you for thinking of us. Much love, Sheila
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I’m so sorry. I was afraid when I saw the photo on Facebook Red left us. I’m crying too much to say more.
You both know I love you and my broken heart is with yours.
Much love,
Ann, Pops, CP, Dr. Zeus, and Frannie
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Dearest Ann, Pops, CP, Dr. Zeus and Frannie,
We know you are all with us tonight at our too quiet home at Casa de Canterbury. Red left while he still could walk into the vet’s office and snack on a few treats she gave him before he was gone. It was his time, I hope.
How happy am I to have your painting of Smokey Lonesome Ollie, Paw Licker Annie and The Red Man. It’s a perfect Memory Catcher.
Sadly,
Sheila
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I am so sorry for your and Theresa’s family loss. We just lost one of our Pac and it leaves such a void in our house and lives. We are sending hugs to all of you.
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Deb,
I will never forget when you told me the first thing you asked every morning was whether The Red Man had written anything! The thought that someone loved him that much really tickled me more than you know!
Thank you for your faithful following all these years – we are so deeply sorry for your loss, too.
Paw Snaps and Twirls to you tonight…
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Our hearts and thoughts go out to you both, and to your pack. We recently lost one of our four legged babies and understand the pain and undeniable void their fading paw prints leave in our hearts. We wish you both much peace and love. Cynnie and Deb
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Dear Cynnie and Deb,
Thank you so much for the kind words and thoughts and we are sending the same to you tonight in your recent loss. You are so right – it is an undeniable void in our home tonight and will be forever without our Red Man. Peace and love are coming back to you from Casa de Cnaterbury tonight.
Sheila and Teresa
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I truly understand. We lost out Toot Man three weeks ago and I still look for him every time I walk into the house. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Pretty.
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Thanks so much, Carolyn, I’m so sorry for your loss, too. We can relate in this sadness like we’ve always related for the past 50 years. May we all find comfort somehow, my friend.
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I just saw this now, oh no!! he was my bud, so many times that i flew out there from Texas he was waiting for me at the airport and sat in my lap on the way to the house. You sure will be on my mind, I’m so sorry. I changed my name from church organist to Rockden. Cause my new dog is named Rocky, he would have loved him too. Ya’ll take care now, (still a churchorganist / Rockden
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Dearest Rockden,
Of course, The Red Man loved to go to the airport to meet the church organist from Texas when he came to visit! And he was most happy to spend quality time with him on Worsham Street in Montgomery when the boys from the hill came to visit…those were good times for all the cousins.
We all hope Rocky will mean as much to the Boring Brothers as The Red Man meant to his family. Then lots of love will be spread around.
Paw Snaps and Twirls to you all!
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OH, no 😦 We are a little bit in shock after reading your message, Sheila. It comes like a bolt from the blue. He was such a good furriend. We don’t know what to say, just know that we are thinking about you during this difficult time. Sending Soft Pawkisses to comfort you. RIP dear Red Man ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thank you so much, Granny and Little Binky – we are definitely in shock at Casa de Canterbury tonight, too. It’s a very quiet home without our Red Man, and we will never be the same. Your words of comfort mean a lot to us, and we appreciate your sending them across cyberspace to rest in our hearts.
The old woman Slow will stay in touch with you.
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We were thinking of you, so we bring you some Extra Pawkisses for the Sunday 🙂 ❤ ❤
Is it allright to pick up a picture of the Red Man, to post him to our bloggie?
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Thank you so much, Granny – you always know how to bring cheer to us!!
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And I forgot – of course it is all right to pick up a picture of The Red Man to post to your bloggie!! Is there something I need to send??
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Thank you so much, Sheila. I pick up one from your bloggie. Double Pawkiss to you all 🙂 ❤ ❤
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This is so difficult, Sheila. I feel like I’ve lost a friend so I can’t begin to imagine how you’re feeling. Red will be missed here at the RUC and the world just won’t be the same without him. Big hugs and strength and love to you all.
I’m on a bit of a blogging break at the moment because my mother has been moved to palliative care and I’m travelling to her side – but when I saw this post I just had to come over and offer my sincere condolences. Lots of love, Dianne
xxxxx
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Dear Favorite Australian Author Dianne Gray,
Thank you so very much for your words of comfort from across oceans and lands and great distances that disappear in cyberspace. Your friendship has been wonderful for all of us at Casa de Canterbury and we have loved your adventures moving and renovating the RUC and then enjoying your new life. Honestly, blogging has enriched my life – and you are one of the reasons. The Red Man lived the good life with Slow and Pretty so we are all grateful for his 15 years with us and grateful for all the people around the world who loved our little guy, too.
The journey with your mother is a painful one. I know. I have done that with my mother so you have my understanding and wishes for feeling her love and helping her to feel your love for her. It’s a gift.
We will be waiting to hear from you when you return to cyberspace.
Love,
Sheila
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I’m gonna miss my little buddy! I’m incredibly sorry for your loss. I know it hurts.
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Thank you so very much plgcm, you were one of the first followers of The Red Man and always one of his favorites! We will still be following you, though, so you won’t be rid of the old woman Slow. 🙂
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I’m shocked and beyond sad. So sorry. Words mean nothing as far as pain goes, I know. I’m going to miss that little rascal slash escape artist, too.
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Hi Robin,
Thanks so much for the message – the original mass on his side had grown to a very large one and a newer mass on his right leg was much more aggressive, according to our vet. The one on his leg made it so painful to lie down that he tried to stand most of the time. When he did lie down, he had a hard time getting up. So…it was tough for him.
This morning, though, he stopped to sniff some plants on the way into the vet’s office, and he walked in under his own power.
He was The Red Man to the end.
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I’m a mess over here. I can barely see the screen right now, but I wanted to send you my condolences, no matter how tear stained and blurry. How is it that a dog I never met could mean so much to me? He was, and is, so completely loved.
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Rachel,
I know how much you love your dogs – yours mean to you what ours mean to us. Tonight is a lonely night at Casa de Canterbury. TBO Chelsea and Spike are alternately ultra-nervous or ultra-quiet. And we all have a hole in our hearts since The Red Man took a piece of all of ours with him on his last escape this morning.
Thank you for loving The Red Man and his Pack. Just to let you know, Red knew he was loved.
Thank you for following us in our adventures at Casa de Canterbury.
I will meet you on The Cricket Pages.
The old woman Slow
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Sheila and Teresa;
I just now got on FB tonight to learn about Red. I am so very sorry and sad for you both. I know how much you loved him and how difficult your trip to the vet today had to be. I am trying to write through tears so I hope the spelling is correct. I didn’t realize that Red was 15. Wow, what a long, wonderful life he had! Our pets come into our lives and fill our hearts and when they leave us, they take a piece of it with them. Just know that my heart goes out to you both.
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Dear Debbie,
Thank you so much for your sweet note and for sharing our sorrow. I know you and Mark understand this kind of loss. I am still in shock but trying to cope the best I can. We also appreciate your bringing the delicious bread to the house today. You are a wonderful neighbor and friend.
Love to you both,
Sheila
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Oh Sheila. I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a family member is a painful journey but I hope your memories help you smile through the sorrow. xxxx
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Thanks so very much, Poly Pro…today has been the second step of the painful journey, but we are trying to put one foot in front of the other. We will catch up with our Canadian Amiga still.
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I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Having lost our Schnauzer this past year, we know that no animal will ever fill his place in your home and heart. I have had many dogs over the years but these terrier-type dogs are in a category of their own. They bring sunshine into our darkest days. We still talk about Rascal and his antics; bad, good, humorous, and frustrating as you and Pretty will remember Red Man. Rest in peace sweet boy.
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Thanks so much, JoAnne…
You have been one of The Red Man’s most loyal followers for a long time and we appreciate that more than you know. Yes, these terrier dogs are unbelievable in the joy they bring to our lives. Before Red, I had a Westie named Sassy who was with me for almost 18 years and now we have had the amazing Red who gave me an opportunity to speak for all of my dogs combined. I had a Schnauzer mix for 14 years, and she had probably the most outgoing personality of any of the dogs I’ve had through the years. My live would have been quite bland without the love of my dogs.
Thank you again for writing to Red.
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Oh, oh, oh … I just hate this so much for you and T. My heart aches for you. Rest in peace Red, and bring some comfort to your moms. xoxoxox, Linda, Willa and Lour
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Thanks so much, Linda, Willa and Lou – the Three Musketeers of the low country. This has been a rough week for those remaining at Casa de Canterbury, but we are grateful we don’t have to watch The Red Man struggling anymore. He is not resting in peace, though – he wanders around the house with the old woman Slow just like he always has – except there are no more rants and raves. The casa is much different without those.
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Send love and hugs from Phoenix to Casa de Canterbury. xoxo
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Thanks so much, Luanne, my friend. We are struggling at Casa de Canterbury.
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I imagined so. Red inspired so many and made our lives brighter.
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He gave it his best shot…:)
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Been thinking of you all – hope you’re doing OK. Hugs xxx
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Hi Annie, and thanks so much for words of encouragement…it is really a rough time for us right now. Losing Red was losing a big part of my life, and I miss his lying beside me every moment in my office and when I take a shower and when I go to bed and just about any other time, too…Woe is me, I am undone.
But now we are trying to focus on TBO Chelsea who keeps plugging along…keeping her comfortable with meds is what we try to do for her. Thank you again for thinking of us.
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Must be hard though knowing you’re about to say goodbye again. Great to hear she’s plugging along.
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Annie, just wanted to let you know that Chelsea stayed with us until Friday when T and I Made the decision to let her go free. She passed peacefully in our arms and was surrounded by the love that had kept her happy for more than ten years at Casa de Canterbury. We like to think that she somehow is in the company of Red, Ollie and our Annie. We are crushed to lose her.
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I can’t stand that I have been too busy for so long that I missed Red Man’s passing…and Chelsea…oh my gosh, it hurts so much, I know how much you must miss them. I still miss Olive like it was yesterday…..take care.
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Thanks so much, Martha…it’s hard to lose our babies. We have been distraught.
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I still miss Olive every day! you were right when you said that they take a part of your heart with them!
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I was not sure if I wanted to see the post with Red looking so vibrant and how pretty abd happy Slow looks, either. But it is not as sad to come back and check out the family photos, knowing remembering is also a tribute to Red’s life. xoxo
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Yes, I think remembering is definitely a tribute to The Red Man. Only now am I able to look at the photos without crying…he was the cutest little guy and so very much alive. Thank you for thinking of us.
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