Posted on 03/26/2009 12:59:38 PM PDT by OneVike
When I took our dog Hershee to the vet today for her yearly checkup and shots, there was a gentleman who brought his old dog in to be put to sleep. As I watched him carry his old dog to the room where the veterinarian would do his job I looked down at Hershee and wondered how I would handle the task of taking her on that one way journey. I realized then how hard it is for some of us to let go of life.
(Excerpt) Read more at norcalblogs.com ...
Doggie Ping
You know it’s true, but sometimes saying goodbye is the hardest thing to do. It’s sad, so sad. It’s a sad sad situation but saying goodbye is the hardest thing to do.
“I cried like a 6 year old when i had to let go of my Duke. Still tears me up, 6 1/2 years later. “
Should read...4 1/2 years later.
I did it.
Many years ago when my little dog, Potlatch was so ill at almost 15 yrs of age.
He lay on the table, unafraid because I was there and had my hands on him - almost as if he knew we were going to help him.
When the Vet went to get the shot I kept patting him and speaking into his ear as he was mostly deaf by then.
He didn’t even flinch as the shot was injected and I kept hugging him as his life flowed away.
I was crying and the Vet even got teary. He went and got a box to put him in, gave me a huge hug and let me out the back door to leave.
When I got home, my family saw me with the box and without a word they took it and dug a hole in the hard winter ground to bury him.
One of the hardest things I ever had to do and I remember every minute of it still.
But - I was the griever, Potlatch was free.
Nice Freeper name.
The vet will put him on a cold steel table, give him a hot shot and if you're lucky he'll go quickly, if you're not, he'll try to crawl to you. It will hurt so badly, you feel your heart will explode in your chest. Then, when the light goes dark in his e yes, you'll gather him up in your arms and hold him until you can bury him on the family's land.
You'll make a little grotto, place him in his grave, place a large stone upon it and leave him. You'll visit your family from time to time and remember that the best and most loving friend you ever had is just across the yard in the woods — you could hit his grave with a stone. You'll mourn and miss his curly little body being glued to your hip and not waiting for you at the door.
Then, in time, you'll find that the Good Lord saw your heart breaking and he had another little guy waiting for you when you were ready, and you'll fall in love again. You'll call your new best friend forever by your old best friend forever’s name, and he'll look up confused, but give you a kiss anyway and you'll have the best of all worlds — one waiting for you on the other side and one in your arms.
You can never have too many best friends who love you and would crawl over broken glass to get to you (or that treat that's just out of their reach in that jar). That's what you'll do.
Thank you OneVike.
Potlatch WAS a Festival of gift giving.
Very handsome boy. But then I’m partial to big, merle dogs. He resembles my Zoe a bit. She’s 12— almost 12 1/2. She has her dewclaws wrapped around my heart... I get choked up just thinking about when that day comes.
I had to do this 2 weeks ago for our 14 yo Collie Alex. I could not believe I would ever get so attached to an animal.
My Duke had cancer in his shoulder and was, otherwise, very healthy.
I grew up with lots of dogs around me, I loved them all, as I love the dogs I have now. But, Dukie was that one special dog in a lifetime that becomes your best friend and fills you with his love, he can never be replaced.
We lost our beloved Koko two years ago and the wonderful lady vet and her staff sent a sympathy card with this poem included:
The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
and pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this—the last battle—can’t be won.
You will be sad I understand,
Don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears
You’d not want me to suffer, so.
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me til the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
it is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We’ve been so close—we two—these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
At the time I was very touched by it. Like all doctors, they see their share of sorrow and pain and it has to be hard.
Very sorry to hear this. :-( You have my sympathies, wordsofearnest.
My prayers are with you for your grief. As I said before I do not look forward the the day i will have to take Hershee for that one way journey to the only building in town that will allow her to enter.
I hear ya.
I was going to try to post a picture of Zoe, but in preview it was a blue box with a “?” in it... Not very flattering, I must say.
Here’s a link to one of her web pages if you’re interested... Hasn’t been updated in ages, but some pictures there of Zoe and Tucker, and also the c-a-t, Jamie...
http://www.angelfire.com/wi2/oz/mcm02.html
I’m breaking down just thinking of that time.
I hope I can be strong for my dog when he needs me that final time.
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