Friday, February 19, 2010

For Hamish...one more ride before you go.....

My dear friend Hamish is gone.

He was my connection with my Scottish terrier ancestry, as West Highland terriers and Cairn terriers are closely related. He was wise and noble and philosophical, but always with that wry sense of humor.

For a wee dog in the Highlands, we shared many adventures through the wonders of blogdom - he was the trusted sage in "Beagadoon," he danced the Highland fling at the Rainbowwow Room in New York, he traveled through Scotland with me, beating us soundly at golf at St. Andrews and introducing us to the nectar of Highland Park. He was knighted by Bailey, in her royalty phase, served as the Father of the Groom at my wedding, took home some terrier glory at MangoMinster and most recently, received a namesake in the form of one of the adorable Rocky Creek Scottie puppies.

In our real lives, we shared the care and tending of our single moms, had matching coats from Lands End, and enjoyed days spent exploring the great outdoors.

Hamish always admired my bike basket, so before you head to the Bridge, let's go for a quick ride together, shall we?



Hamish, words can't describe how we'll miss you. We're reaching out to Gail across the seas and hope your marvelous voice won't long be silenced.

Till we meet again, dear friend.

34 comments:

the magic sleigh said...

Sad Wooos! I am sure Hamish is smiling down on wooo!

-Kira The BeaWootiful

ScrapsofMe said...

Some bits of Burns Twa Dogs are in order:

'Twas in that place o' Scotland's isle,
That bears the name o' auld King Coil,
Upon a bonnie day in June,
When wearin' thro' the afternoon,
Twa dogs, that were na thrang at hame,
Forgather'd ance upon a time.


Nae doubt but they were fain o' ither,
And unco pack an' thick thegither,
Wi' social nose whyles snuff'd an' snowkit;
Whyles mice an' moudieworts they howkit;
Whyles scour'd awa' in lang excursion,
An' worry'd ither in diversion;
Till tir'd at last wi' monie a farce,
They sat them down upon their arse,
An' there began a lang digression
About the 'lords o' the creation'.


By this, the sun was out o' sight,
An' darker gloamin brought the night;
The bum-clock humm'd wi' lazy drone;
The kye stood rowtin' i' the loan;
When up they gat, an' shook their lugs,
Rejoic'd they were na men, but dogs;
An' each took aff his several way,
Resolv'd to meet some ither day.

very sad arroooos today, until we meet again

Bonnie

Martha said...

Dear Petey,
We are so very sad today at the sudden loss of our wee Hamish.
We loved seeing him in your little basket.
As you say he shared so many blogland adventures.
He so enjoyed his very unique view on life and his comments on our blog never failed to raise a smile.
Blog life just wont be quite the same without Hamish.
love and kisses
Martha & Bailey xxxx

Gus said...

Petey...we are thinking of you and little Hamish today, knowing how much you will miss his other godfather, and so very glad you got to go to the christening together.

gussie

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

We were so very sorry to read about yet another sad loss.

Jake of Florida said...

Oh dear. How sad. The last time we visited his blog, we were going to leave a message, but didn't.

And now he's gone.

Petey my lad, we know how sad this makes you -- and we are sad too for you and for Hamish's family.

Our loves are too too short for those who love us.

Jake and Just Harry

TwoSpecialWires said...

Petey, we can't think of a nicer final event with Hamish than a shared ride in your basket. WE loved seeing you with him, cuddled together and viewing life. We will so miss wee Hamish and all of his witty dry perspectives and insights on life. He and his Gail always brought a smile. And memories of him will continue to do the same.

Love
Jake and Fergi xxoo

bbes tribe said...

Petey, so sad to hear about your bff Hamish. Bet he enjoyed the ride in your basket and has fond memories and is running free now.
Ernie, Sasha, Chica

Maxmom said...

A lovely post honoring a wonderful friend! I can't forget his peaceful look whilst he snoozed to the sounds of a flute.
(Thank you again for creating that lovely picture of me and Hamish during the world tour...it is something I will really treasure!)
R.I.P HAMISH

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

We can hardly ARRROOO today - our little Scottish voices are so sad. We are just thankful we have his wee namesake to help his legacy go on. We will encourage his forever family to keep this noble name.

And like you, we reach across the waters to hug Gail.

XOXO
The Rocky Creek Gang

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We know Hamish must have loved that last ride with you. We didn't know hime but it is a very sad loss.

Happy weekend, Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Martha said...

Hi Petey, we are still pretty numb over here in Scotland, how are you guys?
We haven't the heart for the blogs right now beyond those paying tribute to our wee pal.
We seem to be having a 'stop all the clocks' moment.
xxxxx

Bobby said...

So sad and lately so many of our friends have gone over the bridge.

Anonymous said...

Hey Petey,
That was very shocking news about Hamish. We went to his blog when we heard the sad news from Max Dog's blog. You are a good friend; how gracious of you to provide Hamish a goodbye ride in your bicycle basket. Hamish will live on through his namesake.
- TBH&K

Deborah said...

OH, I'm so sorry about your friend, Hamish.

Dexter said...

Oh Petey! We are sobbing over that sweet photo. Goodbye little Hamish.

Slobbers,
Mango

Eric said...

Petey pal. We love your little bike basket photo and your lovely tribute. Hamish was one of the best, we will miss him dearly.

Eric xxx

houndstooth said...

We were so sad to read that he'd passed this morning!

Bunny

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

What a pawesome way to spend some khwality time with a furever furiend like Hamish!

I'm sure he had a blast!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Molly the Airedale said...

What a beautiful tribute, Petey!
We never got to meet Hamish and we are so sorry that we didn't. We ache for his mom and for all of his many friends who loved him.

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Lorenza said...

I am so sorry to know about Hamish.
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

RILEY AND STAR MY MALTESEKIDS said...

Hi Petey,

Very sweet tribute! Hope you are having a lovely weekend. Please come by and visit with us.

Luv,
Riley and Star.

Hamish Westie said...

Oh Petey! (and Jane)
Thank you so, so much for that wonderful tribute to Hamish. The picture of Hamish and Petey together in the bicycle basket, on a last ride together, is such a beautiful thought, and so typical of the creative and generous character of Petey's fantastic blog.
But I am sure that Hamish would like me to point out that the two dogs together would weigh in at over 40 lb, and so there have better be a sturdy frame under the basket and no hills on the route!
Well just at the moment I don't quite know what to do with myself as I try to fill the huge Hamish shaped hole in my life, but I know that in the future there will be another dog and another blog. Hamish was my first ever dog, but he brought me so much joy that, despite the recent sadness, I can't contemplate a future without a four-legged canine companion. But for the moment, I need to take a while to adjust to losing Hamish, who will forever now be part of me.
Best wishes,
Gail.

Sophie Brador said...

Ah Petey, I'm so sorry to hear about Hamish. Sending special Sophie snuggles your way.

xo
SB

Unknown said...

Hamish's voice will never be silenced. Not as long as he had furiends like you and all the others who honored him recently. Cheers for Hamish! He is loved.
Twinkie

Ina in Alaska said...

So sorry for Hamish's mom. We sent her a word of comfort. The ones left behind feel the most pain of all xoxo

KB said...

A beautiful tribute.

Dughallmor Beagles said...

We cannot believe that Hamish is away, this is the first blog we have visited in a very long time and such sad news.....we were lucky enough to meet this fine fellow, we showed he and Gail our favourite walk and he danced a little jig for us....what a boy! We are deeply saddened to hear this, poor Gail will be heartbroken and Hamish will be missed through all of Dogblogland and beyond.
RIP, sweet Hamish, we'll have a dram for you xx

Duffy said...

I didn't get to know Hamish, but mom and I went to his blog to send our sympathy to his mom. A lovely tribute, Petey.
Luv,
Duffy

Unknown said...

Petey
That is the sweetest thing you could do, giving hamish one last ride. I know he feels good doing it before heading to the bridge. He is now our angel boy.
norwood

PS i heard it's your barkday week! Happy Barkday pal!

Stella said...

I just left Eric SquareDog where you and he had a big birthday tea. Hamish was there in spirit, I am quite sure.

Happy Birthday to you, Petey!

Kisses,
Stella

doyle and mollie said...

so erics let the cat out of the bag as we understand we should be wishing you a happy barkday petey, we too are sad for all the losses lately loves and licks

Life With Dogs said...

Petey, you have said it like nobody else. Just beautiful...

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

Hello Petey - long time no bark - My Editor In Chief has been on holiday and before that she was just a lazy so and so......

However, I wanted to bark to you how sad I was to hear about Hamish crossing the bridge. Although we didn't know him very well, we knew you had a special friendship and kin ship.

He will be much missed.

I hope you can manage to visit Scotland again soon, sometime, you must call in to see me, I have lots of tartan collars, rugs and Scottish paraphenilia, plus lots of Scotch. Ooooops sorry that should have read "lots of Scotch Broth".....well you can share a Scotch as well as you will have travelled so far.

Many sad licks, at this sad time, Pal,

love from Marvin xxxxxxxxxx

oh and Lazy Jeannie xxxxxxxx