Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) didn't have the best of rest days on Monday, after learning that his dog Tugboat has cancer. "My best friend, my dog, I've had him for nine years - he has cancer really bad," Hamilton said after Stage 9. "I just found out late last night. We're going to have to put him to sleep tomorrow. For me it's a very sad day...he's like a child. I am going to see him tonight and I'll say good bye and that's it. That's life. I've had many great years with him. I met my wife after seven years, but I had two years with my dog and then I met my wife. She was growing to be super close with him as well. Just my dog and my wife and I, it's kind of a regular family here.
"It's hard. It's very sad and I'm not afraid to say that I cried a lot last night. Maybe people don't understand but for me and my dog...I'm so close to my dog. Him and my wife are everything to me. Tomorrow I'm going to lose one of my family members and it's sad...We've treated him like a king, that's for sure. He's travelled all over the world and has had a great life."
Man. We had one of our dogs put down this spring after it was discovered he had cancer. It was one of the worst experiences of my life.
I feel for Tyler.
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too bad! i've seen photos of that dog - he's beautiful. i think tyler's wife even brought tugboat along to last years tour.
Moonshot
IIRC Bicycling recently had a fine article about Tyler and Tugboat. The writer said something like you can tell alot about a man by how he takes care of his dog. Rest well, Tugboat.
timmhaan
tugboat:
Laggard
http://www.tylerhamilton.com/images/tugs-tdf2.jpg
Look what he's chewing on.
Devil
That sucks.
originalbart
Oh boy. I'm goin' downstairs to hug my Golden, Winnie.
lotek
I just hate this.
Marty
ChiefCatchacold
I thought this was a good picture.... but also made me wonder what Tyler was wearing around his neck?
DieselDan
My wife and I are convinced, dogs do go to heaven.
ChipRGW
My dog, Jessie, died from cancer 2 weeks ago.
I'm sorry to hear this for Tyler.
It sucks.
jfmckenna
Reminds me of when we had to put my Rascal down. I saw my dad cry that day, it was aweful. He made it to 12 years and in the end it was better for him to go. Oh well I hope Tyler converts this into some positive energy and stays strong for his little Tugboat.
pgreene
too sad. poor old tugger. he'd become quite the famous dog. i'd seen him in at least 3-4 mags recently. i know tyler leaned on him (literally) quite a bit to get through the hard times.
pauly
That's too bad. I read that article in Bicycling last week.
pgreene
That's too bad. I read that article in Bicycling last week.
make that 4-5. i didn't realize they'd done a piece on him.
brent_dube
Thats tough. I can relate (as I see many of us can), as the dog that I grew up with is on her 'last legs'. Pets can mean a lot.
Bean Counter
This is for Tyler and anyone else who has lost a beloved pet. My veterinarian gave this to me last winter when we had to put down our golden retriever.
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks in the distance. The bright eyes are intent, the eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet you cling together in joyous rain upon your face, your hands again caress her beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you pass over Rainbow Bridge together.....
Author Unknown
Hitchy
thought this was a good picture.... but also made me wonder what Tyler was wearing around his neck?