Goodbye, Little Prince

We woke this morning to rain rolling in, fitting for our mood, as Typhoon let us know that he was ready.

We weren’t, of course. We never are. As much as we know it’s coming, nothing prepares us for it. Even holding him a month ago as we watched the ultrasound show us this health battle would not be won. Beating the big C is tough for a young, healthy dog, but a senior with so many other health issues? The vet didn’t even have to say the words for us to understand. We had days, maybe weeks, probably not months.

We vowed, as we have too many times over the years, that each remaining day would be fun and adventurous. We would enjoy however long we had as he lived his life. Hanging out with his siblings. Sleeping in those ridiculous poses in the sunshine. Going on long walks. Yelling at squirrels and rabbits.

It was fitting the last few days have been sunny and warm. We’ve made the walks, every last step, wondering each time if it was to be the last. Each morning, we would rise and do it all over again.

We didn’t know yesterday’s was the final walk. We worried it might be. Just as we had the day before and the day before that. All the signs pointed to the end being near. More sleep. Less eat.

As he napped these last few days, his brothers stretched out and surrounded him. Protected him. Comforted him. Said their goodbyes.

They knew. They always do.

Tonight, we will prepare only three dinners. Our next walk will require only three leashes. Our next car ride will have only three navigators.

The Little Curmudgeon won’t be there to yell at the Hu-Dad, to tell him he’s doing it wrong—whatever it might be.

We will move forward the only way we know how. Savoring the memories of his antics over the years. Letting the flowing tears morph to smiles. Laughing as we tell stories. Knowing that we were blessed to have that obstinate, finicky, mischievous rascal brighten our lives.

Goodbye, Little Prince. We’re better for you sharing your all too short life with us.

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40 Comments

  1. Pat & Rufus on April 3, 2024 at 9:17 pm

    Sad woos for Typhoon. Thank you so much for giving him a wonderful life here, so that he knew he was loved and cared for.
    We’ve so enjoyed your stories about the little Prince’s antics. (((hugs))) to you and the rest of the Herd.

  2. The OP Pack on March 17, 2024 at 11:02 am

    So sorry for your loss. Soft woos and gentle hugs from The OP Pack

    • Vivian zkuhn on April 3, 2024 at 8:24 pm

      So very sorry for Typhoon’s loss. We got to know him through your tales of his antics and quirks. It’s always very hard, as you well know, but the memories keep them alive within us. My Tank (10) was given a similar diagnosis Thursday (hemangio) so I’m watching and making whatever time we have good for him. You gave him a life full of love and he knew it. Let memories of his quirks make you laugh and feel better.

      • The Thundering Herd on April 3, 2024 at 8:34 pm

        Sorry to hear about Tank. We hope for great comfort and good fun in the days to come.

  3. Lilian on March 16, 2024 at 5:58 pm

    So sorry for your loss Hu-Dad, there’s no words for this moment, and sorrow is too big.
    Despite of this, thanks for the rescue of Little Prince, and share with us his life.
    Thanks for all the patience of bring him his medication every single day, and let him to convert every tough moment in an funny onne.
    We´ll miss Typhon so much, happily we could always come back to his stories, photos an videos to remember him. Thanks for this too.

  4. Zoe on March 16, 2024 at 5:23 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss, how blessed to have the perfect fit for a family and know there are so many of us crying because you shared his life with us we share your loss … know he is always with you

  5. Pat and Rambo on March 16, 2024 at 1:43 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. I feel like he was a friend thanks to your wonderful telling of his story along with the other members of the Herd. I believe he is now running with the members that passed before him. I imagine they are all telling stories about their experiences living with you. The hardest part of loving our pets is the pain of saying goodbye. I have lost five, some to cancer and it never gets easier. I am crying and he was not even mine. Thanks for sharing Typhoon with us. He had a wonderful home with you and was well cared for and loved. He will be missed by you, your family, his brothers and all of us that have come to love him over the years. Sweet memories to all of you.

  6. Joe and Aurora on March 16, 2024 at 8:00 am

    We lost our Zoey 2/12 years ago to the big C. There’s no words that can express the grief of losing a precious member of your family. My prayers go with you and your family, while Ty and Zoey romp on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

  7. Kathy Harris on March 16, 2024 at 12:35 am

    I am so sorry about the passing of Typhoon. I cried when I first read the news this morning. It is amazing how attached we become to humans and animals that we know only online. Hugs to all of you

  8. Sheri on March 15, 2024 at 11:18 pm

    I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’m sitting here, tears flowing as if he were mine. I suppose in a way, he was wi
    Thanks to you for sharing him with all of us. It’s so hard to find the right words because there are no words for a time like this. His wings were ready but hearts were not. May the laughter he brought to your life help you to bring comfort as you remember him.

  9. Teresa Gaither on March 15, 2024 at 8:25 pm

    Very sad to hear of your loss😢 it is so painful+ heartbreaking 💔 to have to say goodbye to our cherished pack members. Prince Typhoon 👑 will always be royalty. He was my favorite member of your herd ( Cheoah, too- it’s a tie really) You and your pack will comfort each other in this sad time, as well as all of us ” extended pack” ( followers ) who delight in all the beautiful stories you have shared with us+ continue to.
    🌹🌹🌹 Rest in Peace+ Love our dear little Prince.
    We will all join North of the Rainbow 🌈 bridge♥️♥️

  10. Kathleen Sturgis on March 15, 2024 at 7:59 pm

    It’s always sad to hear that a pet that I only know through a blog is gone. How much more sad for you and your family.

  11. Sea Wolf on March 15, 2024 at 5:53 pm

    Was not ready for this. Didn’t know. So sorry. The Queen, Rusty and the others will all be waiting to hear his stories on the other side of the bridge. Have dealt with the big C more than once. We take the best of care and it still rears it’s ugly head. My condolences to the whole family and hugs to the furry ones if it helps to heal.

  12. Necy on March 15, 2024 at 4:37 pm

    I am sorry to hear this news . He is now running free with Kiska ,Q tip and all the others. My heart goes out to you. It’s never long enough, is it? Hugs to you and extra hugs and kisses to the boys.

  13. Tails Around the Ranch on March 15, 2024 at 4:31 pm

    So very sorry for your loss. You’re so right-they never stay with us long enough. Sending gentle thoughts of comfort as you navigate the new normal. RIP sweet boy. 💔

  14. Edith Chase on March 15, 2024 at 3:50 pm

    I’m sorry for your loss. It’s never enough time. Sending comforting thoughts 😢💔🌈

  15. Susan Deaver on March 15, 2024 at 3:25 pm

    Fewer feet under your desk and on your walks. Less screaming during grooming. Not as many soulful eyes requesting treats or monitoring food prep. But you’ll still need to do rabbit checks for the rest of the herd. Hugs to each and all.

  16. Charlotte McRanie on March 15, 2024 at 2:04 pm

    I am so very sorry for your loss sitting here with tears running down my face. I am also mourning for Roscoe as they had such a very special bond. You gave Typhoon such a wonderful home taking such special care of him for so many years. I’m sure he is on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge romping and playing with the other members of the Herd who have gone before him.

  17. Flick Marks on March 15, 2024 at 1:38 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss of Typhoon! My heart is broken! Thank you for letting us know! I look forward to seeing the pups on Facebook! Typhoon made my day with his daily life! Prayers and hugs sent your way! Give a hug for me to Frankie, Landon, and Roscoe!

  18. Juno's mom on March 15, 2024 at 1:16 pm

    We’ll surely miss his unique personality. No matter how many times we go through this, it doesn’t get easier. I’m with Mary and Jean that I don’t believe they rest in peace yet, run in paradise. I’m thinking about how Roscoe is feeling also but, think they understand better than we know. Our hearts are with you.

  19. Lisa Becker on March 15, 2024 at 1:05 pm

    We are completely heartbroken. Know that so many of us share your sorrow and treasure the memories he has given us. What a wonderful, expansive and exuberant personality! I have always loved Typhoon…who can resist a clown with that gorgeous face? Know that you and the herd are in our thoughts and hearts as you continue your journey. Please give Roscoe a big hug from us…this will be so hard for him especially. I too am an avid reader. Recently I ran across a passage that touched me profoundly at the time. “Grief is love that has nowhere to go.” We will all send extra love to your three boys. And, perhaps, someday soon you will introduce another little fur-person to the herd, someone else who needs all the love and care you have to offer. Please let us know how you and the others are doing.

  20. Jim on March 15, 2024 at 12:58 pm

    Sorry for your loss. We’ll miss him

  21. Sherri Painter on March 15, 2024 at 12:29 pm

    We are never ready. I am so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for giving him the best years of his life and loving him as he deserved.

  22. Darren Miller on March 15, 2024 at 12:28 pm

    I’m heartbroken and crying reading this. I remember when he joined the herd and have fond memories of walks with the Little Prince. I’m so so very sorry for your loss.

  23. Kim Zeigler on March 15, 2024 at 12:14 pm

    I am so sorry. You have so many memories of the great life you shared with him. Let those memories pour into the paw shaped hole, and comfort your heart.

  24. Denise Schoen on March 15, 2024 at 12:13 pm

    So sorry to hear about your loss. Enjoyed reading about his antics & seeing the wonderful pics of him & the pack. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. He lived a happy life with all of you. No words will ease your pain but know I am sending love & hugs to all of you. Typhoon was a Prince!

  25. Patty Markiewicz on March 15, 2024 at 12:10 pm

    So sorry to hear about Typhoon. He was such a character. Sending love and hugs to you and the rest of the Herd. ♥

    BTW, how is Roscoe doing?

  26. Lisa Tibbedeaux on March 15, 2024 at 12:08 pm

    So sorry for your loss. It is always difficult, no matter how much we know the time has come. We had to say goodbye to Maverick on 08/17/23, and I still cry if I think about him too long.

  27. Karen on March 15, 2024 at 12:06 pm

    I am heartbroken.

    I am so very sorry for your loss. And for Roscoe. Poor Roscoe. I will pray for you, your EPPIL, Frankie, Landon and Roscoe.

    Sweet Ty was my all-time favorite of your pack, and I have been enjoying them, and your stories, for a long time. I am in complete shock and am sitting in my office with tears streaming down my face. I will so miss seeing his pictures from time to time when I open Instagram. Thank you for sharing him with us, and for rescuing him all of those years ago. He had such a wonderful life with you all.

  28. Padma Bending on March 15, 2024 at 12:04 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s hard to believe we won’t read about the stomping of his feety-feet over something his royal subjects have done to displease him. Thank you for sharing your pack with us. Try to take comfort in knowing that he is at the Bridge with other members of the Herd.

  29. Mary on March 15, 2024 at 11:55 am

    Go enjoy the good life pain and illness free Typhoon 💔you have earned your silver harness. I have loved all of your antics over the years. I can remember when you came to the herd. Hu-Dad sending hugs your way for during this very difficult time. He took a piece of your heart with him, as the other did before him. They will all make it whole again when you meet again.

  30. Cindy D on March 15, 2024 at 11:52 am

    Thank you for sharing your pups with us as we get to love them through your words. We will miss his many antics but know he is now causing mischief in the rainbow sky above.

  31. Rachel on March 15, 2024 at 11:51 am

    So sorry to hear of your loss. He will be missed.

  32. HokiePack on March 15, 2024 at 11:51 am

    Oh my sad news indeed. The Prince had a royal life – thank you for serving as his subjects ❤️ Soft woos from the HokiePack for safe passage over the rainbow bridge. 🥹

  33. Cheryl Seybert on March 15, 2024 at 11:49 am

    So very sorry to read this! He had the perfect name Little Prince Typhoon. I will miss his antics alone or with a Brother. I imagine your house is more quiet than before, the Herd feels the loss as deeply as the Humans 💔 I can’t say Rest in Peace because that wasn’t his thing so look out Bridge the Typhoon is on his way. 💕💕

  34. Kimberly Parker on March 15, 2024 at 11:48 am

    I’m so sorry to hear about Typhoon. Losing them never gets any easier, does it? Sending you and the other pups of the Herd a big hug.

  35. Amarok & Co on March 15, 2024 at 11:47 am

    My heart breaks for you and the herd. Thank you for sharing him with us.

  36. Jean Burkhardt on March 15, 2024 at 11:45 am

    Oh Hi Dad. I cry with you. Typhoon was such a a special boy and I am honored to have known him through your page.

    May he run free with all the others who went before him.

    My heart breaks for you on this difficult loss.

  37. Sylvie on March 15, 2024 at 11:45 am

    I read this with tear-filled eyes. My heart goes out to all of you.

  38. Jeanee on March 15, 2024 at 11:39 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing him with us all these years. He will be missed.

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