Dylan Stephen: A Deceased Dog Says His Final Good-Bye and Imparts Words of Advice

Firstly let’s get the boring stuff out of the way.

My name was Dylan Stephen. I also had a least twenty nicknames. I particularly liked “Pumpkin” and “Dilby”.

I was and always will be a West Highland Terrier a proud and mighty Scot. Brave, loyal, stubborn and highly loveable. Treat me with love and respect I’ll fight to the end to protect you. I may have been twenty pounds but my disposition and mindset was 275 pounds and muscular.

I was born on August 5, 2008 in Mt. Forest Ontario.

My father was Duncan Laird Kidogo and my mother was Rye Sauder.

The Stephen Family Robert, Fotini, Alexandra and Andrew picked me up on September 4, 2008 and took me to their home in Toronto.

I died by euthanasia in Toronto, Ontario on July 13, 2023 almost reaching my 15^th birthday.

The description of my death

I had not been particularly well for three months prior to my death. There were two near death incidents where my breathing was shallow and short and my eyes glazed. But both times I bounced back but things were just not the same. I could not walk as far as I usually did and I was slower. When I was younger I walked from one end of the Toronto Island to the other! I chased the ball at Havergal College up the street until I was exhausted and Master Robert made me rest and gave me water and I wanted to run and run but we walked home and I slept like a log. My past was glorious.

The last week of my life saw a rapid decline. I really do not remember much. It got to the point I was no longer interested in that morning chunk of Montreal bagel or even poached chicken. I lived for meat and treats. I loved cheese too. But I Iost control of my water and you know what. In all my years before I was sick aside from puppy accidents accidental pees and poos were rare. I apologize profusely to The Stephen Family that had to clean up for me. I was in a sickly daze so humiliation escaped me.

The last day of my life I remember very little. No water. No food. I just lay down in the grass. I remember being taken in the car to a place I had been before. The smell was a bit familiar. Voices were muffled. Kisses from The Stephen family. A wee jab or two and then I was with Master Robert’s dogs Suzy and Ginny in a wonderful place like a huge park and we all were off leash. Suzy and Ginny explained to me I was free but where were The Stephen Family? They said they will be coming to join me later. I met The Stephen Family’s relatives some of whom I knew like Mistress Fotini’s Father and Mother. I recall one Christmas in Toronto those lovable humans had a strong punch and were dancing to a group Aqua in the kitchen. How fun and even better when I had turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and carrots and we all sat in the living room with the fireplace on. I had many happy days in my 15 years perhaps this was the best.

I was told by Master Robert’s father and mother John Earnest (Jack) and Margaret (Marnee) that The Stephen Family had euthanized me which meant some drug had been injected in me to put me to sleep and end my life and that they were most likely in horrible grief. Master Robert’s family had euthanized their dogs, Suzy and Ginny (my new best friends). I was so sick I could not say a final good-bye although the day before my death Master Robert was holding me he asked for a final kiss and with great effort I gave him my last kisses.

I was the senior dog in my neighbourhood and many deceased friends were waiting for me. Cindy, Cody. Hazel, Oggi and other “dogs of the hood”.

My forty days wait

My “administrator” in this “world beyond” said I must remain on earth in spirit for 40 days to do what I can to guide and comfort all those who are grieving my death. Of course I can’t be there physically but apparently I have some power to guide human thoughts. Master Robert was the leader of the pack for me. I followed him from room to room and sat down close to him. On cold winter nights he would let me snuggle under the covers with him. As the wind howled and the snow flew I felt safe like the first day The Stephen Family took me home where I was picked up by Master Robert and placed on his stomach in a zipped up sweater and fell asleep missing my mother but feeling safe and protected. I also spent many an hour with Mistress Fotini up on her third-floor couch where we watched “Coronation Street” and some really interesting movies. Master Andrew often took me to live the strange downtown life when Master Robert and Mistress Fotini went on trips. Those downtown dogs are something else! My 40-day job is going to be difficult. My Stephen Family is hurting badly …so very badly. They miss me at every twist and turn. No walks. No chatting with neighbours walking their dogs. No click clack of my nails on the floor. No barks to be picked up. And only tonight Master Robert was walking back forth on the back lawn looking up in the sky tears streaming down his face and muttering where is my Dylan up there. I miss my Stephen Family so very badly.

What advice can I give to you humans about the death of your dog?

BE THERE FOR ME: You have been with me from the beginning so please be there at the end. I need your love and support. Yes euthanasia is physically painless but stroke my head and hold my paw. Tell me it is fine for me to go.

PLEASE DO NOT FOCUS ON THOSE LAST MINUTES OF MY LIFE: Those last minutes and seconds are not ones that should be remembered. I am and should not be the dog with a cold body and open eyes. You and I deserve more than that.

EMOTION TRUMPS LOGIC: You think you are prepared for my death. Words only my friend.Emotions will roar over you and you may be traumatized witnessing my passing. Yes it was logical and appropriate my final moments be determined by you. It was right wasn’t it? Well a tsunami is coming your way.

PLEASE NO GUILT: I trust your decision to send me to the world beyond. There is always the veterinarian bound by a code of ethics to agree or veto your “final decision”. In my case the vet came into that “special room” saying he had read my file and after looking at me briefly said to The Stephen Family that they had made the right decision.

PHYSICALLY DEPARTED BUT NEVER IN SPIRIT: I have gone. My body is cold but in spirit I will always be with you.

TAKE THE TIME TO GRIEVE: You may be dogged (no pun!) by grief for some time. It may hit you in waves and seem insurmountable. It may never leave you. That’s fine but please it must not overtake you. That’s an order!

DO NOT SEEK MY REPLACEMENT IMMEDIATELY: If you decide to bring a new dog into your life. Wait please. That dog will never be a “replacement” for me. You owe that new dog a clean slate where you will not compare that dog to me. Each dog has a unique personality so foster that by not looking for a carbon copy of me.

IT WILL HELP YOU TO MEMORIALIZE ME: If need be a small memorial get together is in order? Perhaps you should scatter my ashes in my favourite place like The Stephen Family will be doing at my local walking spots and at Niagara-on-the-Lake. They are also arranging to plant a commemorative tree at my favourite off leash park.

As a last word I had a rich life but Master Robert has featured me in some of his novels such as “Virus #26”, “Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog” and “Andrij the “Orphaned Ukrainian Dog”. Do you know I was in a film with Nicole Kidman and so infuriated Tsar Vlad over the carnage in Ukraine of both dogs and humans he but a bounty on my head. Do you know I had Thanksgiving dinner with Gordon Lightfoot, Drake and Jill and Joe Biden! If I know Master Robert, he may be planning my autobiography soon!

In parting I understand we are in the world beyond temporarily as reincarnation to a “higher life form”. Pardon me is there no higher life form than a West Highland Terrier. I am a damn proud Scot!