Yoda - Saying Good Bye to a Great Family Friend

Yoda - Our Beloved Family Pet

 Yoda, an English bull dog , has been a member of my sister`s family for the past eight years.  He has just celebrated his eight year old birthday. 

With two big sharp pointy teeth protruding from the sides of his mouth, Yoda looked ferocious and could easily frighten people away. But he was not vicious at all; in fact he was a cute, kid friendly, lovable family pet and very human like.

Rosie - Thanking Yoda for the Joy He rought to the Family

Rosemary, my sister has been crying every week for the past few weeks over the thought of losing Yoda in the near future.

There were so many fond memories and happy times she and her family had with Yoda.

She shared a few of Yoda's pictures with me and recalled many of the wonderful moments Yoda brought to them.










 At the beginning, Yoda was limping on his left foot and my sister took him to the vet who diagnosed him as having an old dog disease with some bone problem. 

 After a year or so, the vet took X ray pictures of Yoda and discovered that he had cancer and the cancer had spread to the other part of his body.

Yoda was suffering the pains and effects of cancer just like humans.

Yoda and Roxy celebrating Yoda's 8th birthday at home

He  underwent regular chemo therapy at Guelph University for the past two years. He whimpered when he was in a lot of pain. It pained my sister and brother in law when they watched their pet suffer.




The Vet said Yoda would have to be put down soon as the cancer spreaded to his lung, he would have a hard time breathing.

Yoda - The Apple of Kelvin's Eye

Last week, Yoda refused food and water. Kelvin, my brother in law was feeding him drops of water using a syringe throughout the day to keep him hydrated.

When Yoda could not go to the bathroom on his own, Kelvin carried him outside every two hours to let him do his business.

Little Trevor Comforting Yoda

 My sister called me and told me about Yoda`s condition. Last Thursday, I went to say good bye to an old friend.  As I saw Yoda, I hugged him and stroked him on his neck. I saw tears in his eyes and that really got me going.

Pictures of the young Yoda jumping around me every time we went to my sister`s house for family celebrations and dinners were vivid in my mind. Yoda gave the family such a fond memory and many happy moments.


Yoda was fond of people and  kids. He was always friendly, especially to the little ones.
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Kelvin and Yoda

Yoda was a very affectionate dog and he was responsive to both human affection and emotions.

He shared many happy moments with my sister's  family and her extended families.

The family remembers all the good times they have had with Yoda.

There were times when Yoda was dressed up in various costumes.

Yoda looked very comical, sitting around at a poker table with a hat on and looking serious.

One of Yoda's favourite activities was spending family time, sun bathing and lounging with Roxy by the  family pool in their Richmond Hill home.

Rosemary told me that Yoda occupied a very special place in her heart. He possessed amazing human characteristics and emotions. When her husband was injured due to a motorbike accident, he was visited by physiotherapist and medical personnel at home to have his dressing changed. Yoda led the way to their bedroom.


The nursing staff was a little slow following him, Yoda stood on the stairs looking back and beckoning them to follow him to his master's room on the second floor.

Yoda led the way to his msster's bedroom and beckoned the medical staff  to follow him

Paul Kissing Yoda Goodbye

When the nurse peeled off the dressing from Kelvin who screamed in pain, Yoda, waiting outside the bedroom door, jumped up and down and barked ferociously trying to protect his master from harm from these strangers.

Fanny with Yoda

The family again saw the human emotional side of Yoda. When Wendy, their daughter came to say goodbye to him a week or so ago, tears started streaming down on Yoda's face. When Wendy saw Yoda crying, she cried too.

We will all miss Yoda, a great family friend who has brought much joy and happiness in our lives.

We will always remember you!

R.T.
July, 2013