Nine years ago last month, The Wife and had recently adopted a new dog. She was a Dobie/Rott mix named Ellie and she loved having a new home. However, we were both working days and felt that she could use a “buddy”. So we went looking, and after a few weeks we found this handsome Corgi-mix fella named Russell.
They got along spectacularly. It was as if they were meant to be dog-friends. Russell became a very big part of “the family”. Always waiting for you at the door and always eager to get outside to walk either the neighborhood or the fence line.
Or napping in the occasional chair
Sadly, these past few months have seen Russ not wanting to do his usual walking about and he has been at the vet more often than usual. He’s gotten cataracts in both of his eyes, with one being exceptionally bad, and he can only hear enough to catch a snap of fingers indoors and clapping outdoors.
Just these past few weeks have seen him not be able to navigate the stairs and he has repeatedly walked into the furniture and multiple door frames. Even more recently, life has seen him not being in full control of his bladder and not always knowing if he is indoors or outdoors (if you put two and two together there, you can understand what my floors have been going through).
So, sadly, today is the day Russell gets to go in the car to the vet and not ride in the car to come home. I’ve been feeding him all of his favorite foods for the past few days: Keilbasa, cheese off the block, steak, chops, and last night was beer brats.
Today is going to suck. Hard.
See ya later, pal.
Damn, hard news and sorry to hear that. But sometimes being a good steward and care taker of our animal friends requires performing the last act.
Go ahead Russell, we’ll all be along later.
YeOldFurt
Sorry to hear that, Phil. I’ve been there, more times than I care to count.
It’s times like these where it sucks to be the person. I’m so sorry that you’re having to be the good steward (as YeOldFurt said), but it’s one of the things we can do for them to ease their suffering. I always try to remember what I would want those around me to do if I was in Russell’s situation.
I’ve planted too many beloved cats for this post not to hit me right in the tear-generator, Phil, but let’s just say that when you two re-unite, you’ll find that Russel has somehow learned to not only spot, then hold or flush game, but to analyze your shooting and tell you how to hit that bird next time!
I’m so sorry. It’s always so hard to say good bye to our furry family members.
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, 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 each 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 into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the 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.
Ugg.
So sorry to hear that.
Three years ago I put down my dog of 12 years.
One month ago I put down my dog of 15.5 years.
It’s tough. Hang in there.
I will miss Russell. Though I only got to enjoy his company on two occasions, he was as sweet, adorable and friendly as any dog person could be. Connie and I are truly sorry for your loss.
Someone sent this to me when I lost my dog. It’s always apropos.
“If you have a dog, you will most likely outlive it; to get a dog is to open yourself to profound joy and, prospectively, to equally profound sadness.” –Marjorie Garber
Sorry to hear the news, bro. Someone once told me that the reason a dog’s life is so short is to remind us how precious they really are. It there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die, I want to go to where ever they are.
A couple years ago I had to put one of my dogs down due to incurable cancer. It hurts a lot less nowadays but the hole (for lack of a better term) is still there, even after adopting another.
They slip into your lives and before you realize it, they’re so much a part of you that you can’t imagine life without them.
Ragin’ Dave’s got it right though. I wanna go where the dogs are; screw the halos and the harps 🙂
I’ve had that day too many times, and I still miss every one of them like it was last week. It’s the one real downside to companion animals – in almost every case we outlive them and have to watch them go.
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