ohbloodyhell8

Today brought sadness. The world’s sweetest, greatest therapy dogtor died.

Dr. Quincy’s therapy dog portrait

Dr. Quincy lost his sister, Bella, earlier this year. She had retired from her therapy work several years ago, but still occasionally went with Dr. Quincy to visit folks on a personal level.

Me & Bella, Halloween 2015

Shortly after Bella passed, Dr. Quincy’s mom drove west to pick up his new baby brother. Lots of people helped his mom do that because she helps so many people.

Dr. Welby, resident

Dr. Welby (technically still a resident since he still has to finish taking his board exams) is adorable. Dr. Quincy had been sharing stories about his baby brother.

The kid just won him over because he’s so sweet and a natural for therapy work.

Dr. Quincy training the resident Dr. Welby

Dr. Quincy could see that Welby will be a great dogtor one day.

Dr. Quincy wrote on his Facebook page that he got to go to work this past Wednesday. But that today he woke up and didn’t feel well. Sadly, the vets discovered an aggressive cancer had caused his spleen to burst. His mom would never let him suffer, not after how much he comforted others. And while I know his mom’s heart was aching, Dr. Quincy passed peacefully at home surrounded by his mom and loved ones.

This is terribly sad news and I have been crying for two hours. I said to Hubby, why can’t I stop crying?

And then Dr. Quincy comforted me again, even in his passing. I read many, many posts on both his personal and professional Facebook pages. Post after post sharing the positive love and impact he had on person after person. Photos of velvety ears, EBRs (emergency belly rubs), and that sweet, smiling, drooly face above his tie and stethoscope.

Dr. Quincy at work

I’m not the only asking why I am crying. And I realized that while Dr. Quincy wasn’t my dog, he filled my heart regularly with love and happiness, a positive presence in my news feed to counter all the snark and divisive posts. A giant gentle reminder that kindness does so much good and spreads better than anything else.

And tonight, hundreds, thousands of people are being touched with sadness at the loss of this gentle giant. Dr. Q brought so many together, from all walks of life, all sides of anything with sides, and helped us be what we are supposed to be. Humans caring about each other.

And that’s why so many are crying at this sad news. But Dr. Quincy comforted me again as I read all of the posts paying tribute to him, sharing memories of him, and seeing other therapy dogs changing their profile pictures to a photo of him to honor his work.

Halloween 2015

Dr. Quincy’s mom is such a beautiful person. She is humble, caring, giving. She will deflect attention given to her role in Dr. Quincy’s medical practice, claiming she just drives him. Her compassion is something I aspire to. Her heart is so big that it must be aching horribly this evening. My heart aches for her.

Yet…I bet if I could peek into her window I would see her training Dr. Welby, looking at pictures of her beloved Bella and Quincy, and thinking to herself, we’ll be back to visiting the hospital as soon as Dr. Welby passes his board exams.

Welby in his mom’s lap

I know as she reads all of the posts, and remembers all of the love Dr. Quincy spread around the world (and I’m not exaggerating) she will be comforted by Dr. Quincy’s memory. And perhaps as she gives Welby an EBR, or rubs his velvety ears, Welby will continue the training Quincy helped him begin. Welby will bring comfort to his mom as she needs it. And Bella and Quincy will smile watching from above.

Me & Dr. Quincy

Photos from my collection and Dr. Quincy’s Facebook pages.