Well, the day I hoped would never come, did. One week ago yesterday, we had to say goodbye to our very good dog, Pebbles. She survived a very aggressive cancer that struck two years ago but was recently slowed by a degenerative nerve problem that had weakened her hind legs. She gradually went from two walks a day, to one walk a day, to trouble getting up on her favorite spot on the couch, to only walking from her blanket to outside and back.
Making the decision to humanely end her life was the hardest thing I've had to do in my 45 years. As she lay on her blanket in the living room, she looked like regular Pebbles. She'd beam when you walked into the room, play with her treats, and be her goofy self. When she'd walk, it was a different story. She'd have to drag herself forward to get her back legs under her. There was tripping and falls. Getting up the ramp on our deck was hard.
Living on a blanket on the living room floor is no life for a dog. As our vet would say, her quality of life was suffering. My wife Rose and I both knew the day was coming. We just didn't know which particular day it would be. Finally, we decided she was having pain. I made the phone call, our vet came to the house and administered the shot with Pebbles resting her head on Roses' lap. Her heart stopped...and she was gone. A heavy rain began to pelt the windows and it began to thunder - two of Pebbles least favorite things. We said our goodbyes and gently wrapped her in a blanket. For some reason, I felt compelled to be the one to carry her outside to the car for her final ride...so I did. I cried more in five days than I had in the last 25 years put together.
We adopted Pebs when she was around 2 or 3 years old and lived together for 10 years. We'd walk through our neighborhood twice a day, rain or shine. We'd miss a few times a year with illnesses and the horrible Wisconsin weather days, so that works out to be an amazing 6,000 walks during her life with us.
And, right now, I'd give anything to go for just one more.
What a touching tribute, Steve!
ReplyDeleteI've been in that difficult position of having to make That Decision, too, and it's absolutely horrible. Even when it's obvious that it's the humane thing to do, I want to glom onto that 1% chance that maybe they might get better. It's so, so hard! I know it's little comfort, but you did the right thing.
I'm so glad that Pebbles wound up with such a great home, and so glad that you and Rose wound up with Pebbles! You were all so lucky to have each other!
Thanks Denise! I appreciate your comment.
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