Enjoying Montblanc Pens — Broad, Oblique, Extra Fine, Le & Bespoke

[Tom Kellie]

Zuji's Final Portrait, 11 April, 2018

Zuji's Coffin on His House, 13 April, 2018

Zuji's Passing

~ Zuji ate poison bait during an evening walk on campus. His kidneys began malfunctioning on Saturday, 7 April, 2018, with full-blown serious symptoms late Sunday evening.

Two visits to Dr. WANG Bo confirmed kidney failure. In the late afternoon of Tuesday, 10 April he went into his wire crate where he'd slept in his puppyhood, as he feels safe there. He bloated up, refused food and water, didn't relieve himself, and became unresponsive. His friends WANG Mingliang and LI Chuanlei visited for several hours, then HUANG Kun, LI Qiang, HU Tong and YANG Wenbo visited, after having been told by LI Shaobin who visited with packages.

Zuji survived for two more days, but was uncomfortable. He stopped jumping or playing with his toys.

On Friday, 13 April he was unusually affectionate, seeking to be close, but making small pain sounds. I'd stopped all other activities to be with him around the clock for several days. I slept more than ten hours to make up for the days of no sleep.

At around 2:30 pm he had an extended seizure on the kitchen floor. There was substantial evidence of a stroke. He lost motor control, walking in clockwise circles, crashing into the water and milk bowls, unable to drink.

LI Chuanlei joined to take Zuji to Dr. WANG Bo. I carried him as he was too weak to walk, unlike yesterday when he walked all the way. Dr. WANG explained that there were measures to keep him alive but with a very low quality of life and substantial pain.

It was decided to let him sleep forever. I went in another room after hugging and kissing him good-bye. We carried him home in a box.

Several friends stopped by to extend condolences. WANG Mingliang sat shiva with me for many hours.

At 9:30 pm WANG Mingliang, LI Chuanlei and I took Zuji to a quiet, secluded place by a pathway, under bamboo. Thanks to the heavy rain of the past two days, the wet soil was easy to dig.

We buried Zuji, seeing him for the last time. Plants were arranged over his grave, as Zuji was especially fond of sniffing plants. His favorite toy, a small orange dog, was buried with him.

In all respects, Zuji was a wonderful dog, who was truly a “nice boy’ and a “good dog” as I told him this afternoon while massaging the tremors on his forehead.

Among his many virtues, he was astonishingly unselfish. He’d share his food and toys as gestures of affection. He kept the sofa warm at night, moving whenever I came to lay down, then settling in close for the night.

What a wonderful writing partner he was. He accepted that I spent much time pen in hand, writing. He'd patiently watch the process, waiting for me to finish and rejoin him.

As he came to me at 7 weeks, I knew him all of his life. He taught me more than I’d ever expected to learn about kindness, affection, loyalty, playfulness, and good cheer.

The house is empty tonight. The lovely little spirit of the past year has gone. I miss him so much and will remain grateful for his sharing his life with me.

Many friends in the FPN Montblanc Forum shared friendly greetings with Zuji. To all of them my deepest appreciation.

Tom K.

Edited April 13, 2018 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

Two Inks

~ After Zuji's passing this afternoon, close friends visited me to offer condolences. Two packages arrived from Montblanc China during the sad gathering.

I'd requested a bottle of Montblanc Permanent Black for use with a future pen, as it may be suitable for pen sketches with light watercolor.

The Montblanc Swan Illusion is a color which would fit well with black ink sketches.

The photo with a black background reflects the somber tone of the day, my beloved little writing partner having gone.

Tom K.

[Toll]

Tom, I am so sorry to learn of Zuji’s passing and your loss. In fact, when I saw the caption to the first photo, I thought I must be missing something, could not believe what it portended until I saw the second photo. Zuji was part of the FPN family.

[Pennenut]

Tom, I'm sorry to hear of Zuji's passing. Zuji had become an integral part of the FPN community over the last year. I always looked forward to reading your posts about Zuji.

[nishantdr83]

I am so sorry to learn of your loss, Tom. I was in disbelief when I saw the picture you posted and had to go back and read your post. We will miss his friendly presence on the FPN.

[zaddick]

Tom -

 

Today is a day of sadness for all of us, and you most of all. There is no replacement for the loss. The gifts of happy memories he gave you will eventually shine bright as a precious momento of your limited time together, but it will take time for them to brighten so. I am thankful you have had many people to offer their support in this difficult time. Though I cannot be there, I am comforted you are not alone in these somber days. We are all here to support you as you see fit to engage with us.

 

Your little one will be missed by us all. The world is a little less special without him roaming about.

 

With warmest regards,

 

Aaron

[Tom Kellie]

[Tom Kellie]

[farmdogfan]

 

Zuji's Final Portrait, 11 April, 2018

Zuji's Coffin on His House, 13 April, 2018

Zuji's Passing

~ Zuji ate poison bait during an evening walk on campus. His kidneys began malfunctioning on Saturday, 7 April, 2018, with full-blown serious symptoms late Sunday evening.

 

Two visits to Dr. WANG Bo confirmed kidney failure. In the late afternoon of Tuesday, 10 April he went into his wire crate where he'd slept in his puppyhood, as he feels safe there. He bloated up, refused food and water, didn't relieve himself, and became unresponsive. His friends WANG Mingliang and LI Chuanlei visited for several hours, then HUANG Kun, LI Qiang, HU Tong and YANG Wenbo visited, after having been told by LI Shaobin who visited with packages.

 

Zuji survived for two more days, but was uncomfortable. He stopped jumping or playing with his toys.

 

On Friday, 13 April he was unusually affectionate, seeking to be close, but making small pain sounds. I'd stopped all other activities to be with him around the clock for several days. I slept more than ten hours to make up for the days of no sleep.

 

At around 2:30 pm he had an extended seizure on the kitchen floor. There was substantial evidence of a stroke. He lost motor control, walking in clockwise circles, crashing into the water and milk bowls, unable to drink.

 

LI Chuanlei joined to take Zuji to Dr. WANG Bo. I carried him as he was too weak to walk, unlike yesterday when he walked all the way. Dr. WANG explained that there were measures to keep him alive but with a very low quality of life and substantial pain.

 

It was decided to let him sleep forever. I went in another room after hugging and kissing him good-bye. We carried him home in a box.

 

Several friends stopped by to extend condolences. WANG Mingliang sat shiva with me for many hours.

 

At 9:30 pm WANG Mingliang, LI Chuanlei and I took Zuji to a quiet, secluded place by a pathway, under bamboo. Thanks to the heavy rain of the past two days, the wet soil was easy to dig.

 

We buried Zuji, seeing him for the last time. Plants were arranged over his grave, as Zuji was especially fond of sniffing plants. His favorite toy, a small orange dog, was buried with him.

 

In all respects, Zuji was a wonderful dog, who was truly a “nice boy’ and a “good dog” as I told him this afternoon while massaging the tremors on his forehead.

 

Among his many virtues, he was astonishingly unselfish. He’d share his food and toys as gestures of affection. He kept the sofa warm at night, moving whenever I came to lay down, then settling in close for the night.

What a wonderful writing partner he was. He accepted that I spent much time pen in hand, writing. He'd patiently watch the process, waiting for me to finish and rejoin him.

 

As he came to me at 7 weeks, I knew him all of his life. He taught me more than I’d ever expected to learn about kindness, affection, loyalty, playfulness, and good cheer.

 

The house is empty tonight. The lovely little spirit of the past year has gone. I miss him so much and will remain grateful for his sharing his life with me.

Many friends in the FPN Montblanc Forum shared friendly greetings with Zuji. To all of them my deepest appreciation.

Tom K.

 

I am very sorry to hear about Zuji´s passing, i have tried it a few times with my dogs, and it´s allmost unbearable.

 

I´m going to miss him and the pictures of him as well.

 

Regards Per.

[LanceSaintPaul]

Tom:

 

What a horrid way to lose a Pal. My sympathy & condolence.

 

Seems fitting that you were there to comfort him. And it sounds like you made a merciful choice at the end.

 

Restore yourself as you can. Take care.

 

Lance

[Tom Kellie]

I am very sorry to hear about Zuji´s passing, i have tried it a few times with my dogs, and it´s allmost unbearable.

 

I´m going to miss him and the pictures of him as well.

 

Regards Per.

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

Tom:

 

What a horrid way to lose a Pal. My sympathy & condolence.

 

Seems fitting that you were there to comfort him. And it sounds like you made a merciful choice at the end.

 

Restore yourself as you can. Take care.

 

Lance

 

[meiers]

This is so sad. I am thinking of you.

[Ghost Plane]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

[Rav_LandE]

Hello Tom,

 

No words I can say or write will help.

 

Your post genuinely touched me and though we've never met or corresponded I wanted to express my condolences and say that I am thinking of you.

 

My thoughts are with you.

 

Ravinder.

[Toll]

In anticipation of picking up a Little Prince Resin 146, now awaiting me at a MB Boutique, I read the book today, in two sittings, and perhaps, Tom, it might bring a little comfort to you at this time.

[Tom Kellie]

[Tom Kellie]

In anticipation of picking up a Little Prince Resin 146, now awaiting me at a MB Boutique, I read the book today, in two sittings, and perhaps, Tom, it might bring a little comfort to you at this time.

 

~ Toll:

 

Thank you so much for thinking of me.

As it happens, regular FPN Montblanc Forum contributor and 149 user Zdenek has made a copy of Le Petit Prince available to me.

When I'm more settled I'll read it.

I hope that your 146 will be an outstanding writer for you, no matter what nib is on it.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Hello Tom,

 

No words I can say or write will help.

 

Your post genuinely touched me and though we've never met or corresponded I wanted to express my condolences and say that I am thinking of you.

 

My thoughts are with you.

 

Ravinder.

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

Zuji at 7 Weeks On the Day He Arrived