Tyrin
This is the story of my best friend Tyrin, who was a 7 ½ year old male boxer. A gentleman in every way.
On Dec 23/08 I had a call from the vet as I had taken Ty in a few weeks earlier because I was worried and something was just not right with him. The whole floor fell out from underneath me when the words came over the phone he was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma cancer.
We discussed our options and I was ready to do anything for him. We decided to go ahead and see the oncologist and started the chemo treatments and prednisone. I worked extra shifts, sold whatever items I could and spent as much time as I could with my beloved Tyrin.
Our friends and family always joked that they wanted to come back as one my dogs because they had it so good. This is why I decided that I did not want Tyrin to know what it was like to suffer and not live out the last days of his life in a diminished state.
On the night March 7/09 my whole world was shattered, I had to make the unbearable decision to put my best friend down as I could not bear for him know what suffering was. A day hasn't gone by that I don't question myself that this was the right decision.
My trusted vet and friend said it was the right time; the lymphoids around his heart were beginning to enlarge. He was starting to cough and was becoming visibly uncomfortable he hadn't moved off the couch all day. I got off the phone in tears and Ty was sitting and waiting at the front door as if he knew. There was nothing left that I could do, I have never felt so hopeless and I feel that I have let my Tyrin down. I could do nothing more to win his battle. Despite the home made diets the cherished time and all the trips to the doctors and all through chemo. I felt as though I have let Tyrin down as the cancer had clearly won despite everything I had done.
I got Ty in 2001; he was so small that I had to bring him home in a cardboard box on my lap. It was a bond that could never be broken from that day on.
As Tyrin grew our bond became stronger and unbreakable where I went he went if he wasn't allowed to go then I didn't go. He never left my side, Tyrin helped me threw the loss of my brother and then only a couple years after that through the constant battle with my own disease. He gave me hope, a reason to get up in the morning and a reason not to give up. He never left my side, even when I fell behind. Tyrin gave me the hope to start fighting again. We hiked everyday and as I got healthier I was able to return to school and finish university. When I was sick Tyrin would lay quietly with me for hours and not leave my side. I would have to get up and get him out as he was too polite to ask. He was so receptive to what you were feeling. He would put his nose on my side and sniff loudly and whimper at me when I was not feeling well as if to say he knew. The years passed and I was fortunate to go into remission and I was able to stay positive as I had one consistent in my life Tyrin.
Later on when I met my husband, Tyrin would come and stand in between us when we hugged and would push him off the bed when he started to stay over. My husband came to realize that he was the second love of my life and that Tyrin was number one, which he respectfully accepted.
I work with troubled youth from all walks of life and although he wasn't a service dog I would often bring Ty in with me. The kids would tell him all their secrets as he would never tell. He helped them regain trust and establish relationships that to this day have lasted. He cuddled with the ones who needed a cuddle, he would let the kids dress him up when they needed a laugh and play when they needed to be kids. He opened many doors for me and for them.
Tyrin has taught me so much and how precious time actually is, he has given me so many gifts in his life that I want to do something in his name to honour him as he deserves it. He was a gentle soul, receptive and full of life and had nothing but unconditional love. Tyrin truly defined what unconditional love is.
I will always miss that boxer wiggle coming home every day, but I will never forget to be strong and have courage to not give up and fight until the very end. To cherish the small things in life and be honoured when someone wants to share all their time with you as it is the purest form of unconditional love in life.
Now every day I am missing my angel, Tyrin. Forever in my thoughts and always in my heart, your paw prints have made a lasting impression. Never to be forgotten.
“Thank you for the life you've given me”.
Love always- mum
This is my song for Tyrin “Thank-you” by Johnny Reid
If I only had two words left to say to you.
With my last breath I'd confess the truth to you.
You've never left my side, even when I fell behind.
Thank-you, thank-you for the life you've given me.
Thank-you for sharing all your love and all your dreams.
Thank-you for every tear of happiness I've cried.
Thank-you for laying down beside me here tonight.
When I close my eyes, I say a prayer for one more day with you.
And when I wake, I embrace the one who pulls me though.
Who pulls me through the storm when I can't go on.
Thank-you, thank-you for the life you've given me.
Thank-you for sharing all your love and all your dreams.
Thank-you, for every tear of happiness I've cried.
Thank-you for laying down beside me here tonight.
You've never let me down.
Its like you don't know how.
Thank-you, thank-you for the life you've given me.
Thank-you, for sharing all your love and all your dreams.
Thank-you.
Thank-you.
In memory of Tyrin I would love for Tyrin to be part of the “little wishes” collections as he has touched so many lives already. I would love to continue this trend in his name and bring awareness to others. I believe that he would truly represent the boxer breed proudly, and those who have fought for their lives and lost the battle with cancer. I would also like to set up an annual walk in Tyrin's name to raise awareness and funding for canine cancer research so we can help to find a cure so others may not have to suffer.
This is only part of Tyrin's story some is too personal to share and some story's deal with my kids at work, neighbours and their children and friends and family who will all dearly miss him.
This is a song written by Johnny Reid for anyone who has lost their beloved friend.
“My old Friend”
Today I said goodbye to my old friend
I pray some day we get to meet again
Under one more clear, blue sky
Up where the eagles fly
And where and we'll go walking in the sunshine
With a big smile on our face
Race the river to the ocean
Go splashing in the waves
And I'll wrap my arms around you
We'll be together once again
And I'll tell you how much I've missed you
My old friend
Yeah I know you're up there looking down
On that rainbow bridge we talked about
There's a place for me and you
Somewhere up there behind the moon.
Thank- you for your time
Tyrin is survived and dearly missed by
Kiera (survivor of cancer) Nicola and Brian