Monday, May 09, 2005
A Little Numb... (Rest Easy, Part II)
More bad news today. Seven days after having to put my 13 year old Yellow Lab Watson to sleep, his 14 year old companion Judy went to join him today. I feel so completely empty inside right now that I don't know what to do. My friend Susan is on her way to visit and keep me company.
I could not tell whether Judy missed Watson or not. I understand the concept of the anthropomorphic fallacy, but I'd like to think that she noticed it, and did miss him. It took a little bit of adjustment for her. On Wednesday, she got sick in the afternoon, and I noticed that it looked like she had eaten a stick. Grateful that she got rid of it, I did not mind cleaning up the mess. But, when she got sick again on Sunday, and twice this morning, the warning bells went off. So, after another emergency trip to the vets, and more blood tests, kidney failure was confirmed. My vet came in to the room with tears in her eyes, and I knew what had to be done. So again, seven days after Watson, I got to sit on the floor and hold my sweet little black pup and feel her take her last breaths.
So, the house is empty now of pets, and I think it is going to stay that way for a while. Not forever, mind you, but a while. I can't help but think and hope that I did the right thing by both of them and sent them off without pain and suffering or prolonging their lives for my benefit.
Rest well puppies, and know that Dad loved you both as much as he could.
Thank you, readers out there for your kind comments and emails. They were appreciated.
05:34 PM in Dogs
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Comments
I don't know what to say. I don't think there is anything I can say that would make this easier. Now I'm getting all weepy. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Posted by: Kevin at May 9, 2005 8:05:14 PM
Oh Doc - I am so sorry.
Lots of my New Age friends talk of a time when we could speak to the animals. I don't think that we could really talk to them. Instead I think we discovered that we just truly enjoy each other's company.
That's why this time is so difficult.
Posted by: pops at May 9, 2005 10:22:41 PM
Oh my God that is so horrible. My heart goes out to you. Take care of yourself.
Posted by: DAVE at May 10, 2005 10:33:43 AM
Doc,
I've emailed you already and thought about calling a dozen times since I received the sad news. I'm so sorry for you loss. I was there when you met her for the very first time. I think I loved her as much as you did for the short time that we were able to see each other. I know what I'm going to say next is difficult, but it gave me a lot of comfort when Ozark died. Think about Watson and Judy's life with you. The trips to the parks, walks, stick fetching, all the things that you shared together, road trips, moving back to Michigan. The life the three of you led together was a good one, the road was long and filled with bumps but also with wonderful special moments. So try not to be so sad for the loss, but celebrate the joy of the life you shared. They loved you so very much from the moment they became yours. They both kept you company, made you laugh, made you cry, made you laugh so hard you cried, and lived each and every day to the fullest extent possible. I know the house feels empty, and your heart is breaking, but I fully believe that Watson and Judy are still with you, you just can't see them anymore. They will come visit, you may catch a glimpse of them in a dream or out of the corner of your eye, and you will know that they are there, loving you, playing with you just as they always did. Some day you will see them again. Be it at the edge of the Rainbow Bridge where I can just imagine that they will be so overjoyed to see you again that they will knock you over with their exhuberance, or in the form of a future dog that sometimes does the things that they used to do.
Keith, I hold you in my heart in your time of grieving, but your kids would not want you to greive long, they would want you to enjoy life the way they did every day, rain or shine, in pain or not. They took the time to smell flowers, relish a dead fish, try to catch a fly, cuddle with a favorite teddy bear, etc. Do the same in rememberance of each of them and lives well lived.
I love you and always will my friend,
E
Posted by: Ellen at May 10, 2005 1:45:06 PM
You did right by both of them. The ultimate act of love for creatures who know nothing else but love.
Posted by: Allan at May 10, 2005 10:44:42 PM
You're probably right that dogs care deeply when their companions leave them for good. And so do us humans. I'm sorry for the loss of both your dogs.
Posted by: pam at May 11, 2005 9:27:50 AM
Oh Doc, I am so sorry to hear about your second loss. I don't know what else to say but that you are in my thoughts.
Posted by: Alicia at May 14, 2005 10:01:18 AM
