I took a week off in March this year. A bit unusual, I usually don't do so until April, because it falls on my birthday, my sisters birthday and my wedding anniversary. So, that week is usually set aside for personal things. This week however is set aside for a breath of no company stuff, and a bit of cleaning and updating of the outside of the home. Floral's, basic sewing of the yard and prepping for the warmer months. Something I have neglected for several years now.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The loss of a Dog
This past week, I had to put down one of my dogs. They are both of the same litter. In fact were the last 2 of a very large litter. Gretel, lived barely 10 years and her last year of life was difficult for her to say the least. Taking her to the emergency room this past Wednesday (the 27th of February) evening, and knowing full well it could be the last trip we'd ever take together was somewhat surreal.
As it turned out she had alot of internal bleeding problems and a tumor that was quickly developing near her spleen, as well urinary tract problems. Even surgery would likely have only provided a few more months of life, however comfortable they might have been would be anyones guess. Making the decision to put her down was both easy and awful at the same time. My last minutes with her, were peaceful, and as emotionally heart wrenching is anything I can remember in recent memory.
Saying goodbye to an animal, and realizing that "yes" it is not human, makes no difference. They are close to you and a part of your life. Gretel, represented one of the components of coming home for Tami and I. Her Brother Hansel will now garner all of the attention that the dogs recieve. He needs it, as he has spent many a year now battling with Discoid Lupus. Gretel, was the only female, in a family of male dominated animals. She took care of many of our cats. Mothered some of them, and was ultimately Hansel's rock for many years of his life. She took on the burden of probably being the one that recieved the least of attention yet always provided the most love when it was garnered to her. I will miss this dog much more than I had ever imagined. I wish the task of having to put down a loved animal on no one.
It is as difficult a thing as I have ever had to do or can remember. I miss Gretel tremendously, and at least know she is no longer suffering.
As it turned out she had alot of internal bleeding problems and a tumor that was quickly developing near her spleen, as well urinary tract problems. Even surgery would likely have only provided a few more months of life, however comfortable they might have been would be anyones guess. Making the decision to put her down was both easy and awful at the same time. My last minutes with her, were peaceful, and as emotionally heart wrenching is anything I can remember in recent memory.
Saying goodbye to an animal, and realizing that "yes" it is not human, makes no difference. They are close to you and a part of your life. Gretel, represented one of the components of coming home for Tami and I. Her Brother Hansel will now garner all of the attention that the dogs recieve. He needs it, as he has spent many a year now battling with Discoid Lupus. Gretel, was the only female, in a family of male dominated animals. She took care of many of our cats. Mothered some of them, and was ultimately Hansel's rock for many years of his life. She took on the burden of probably being the one that recieved the least of attention yet always provided the most love when it was garnered to her. I will miss this dog much more than I had ever imagined. I wish the task of having to put down a loved animal on no one.
It is as difficult a thing as I have ever had to do or can remember. I miss Gretel tremendously, and at least know she is no longer suffering.
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