September 29, 2004
And Then there Was One
This morning was the last car ride.
After The Crazyweiler died, I didn't think I had much heart left, but I was wrong. Another big chunk got ripped out and left of the floor of exam room 5. The veternarian was wonderful. The whole staff was amazing. They had blankets on the floor for her. A box of tissues for me. And they unlocked a back door so I could slip out without having a lobby full of people watch me sob.
As I walked across the parking lot with her empty collar, I looked up at the cloudless sky and had an image of Breezy tearing around with The Crazyweiler jumping around her, excited to see her.
Dog heaven?
It has to be an amazing place. A place that's never heard of vaccinations, heartworm, toe nail clippers, or baths. A place where there is no screen door between you and the UPS man. A place where the squirrels are bigger, slower, and never quite reach the nearest tree in time. There are deer to chase, cattle to bark at, mice to kill, and always something foul-smelling to roll in. Table scraps abound. Flies, mosquitoes, ticks, and cats are banished. There's an overflowing garbage can around every corner. You can chew on...anything. Car rides leave on the half hour with all the windows down. You sleep on the bed.
So Breezy, have fun. Look for The Crazyweiler; I know he's missed you. You each have a part of my heart. Some day I'll show up to claim it. I promise.
Posted by Cathy at September 29, 2004 10:57 AMRequiescat in pace.
Posted by: aelfheld at September 29, 2004 11:08 AMMy prayers are with you, Cathy. Have faith that they will wait for you to come home to them.
Posted by: kb at September 29, 2004 11:43 AMTime is the only thing that will make things more bearable. Your post makes me think that in the not to distant future I will have to face the same decision. I hope I handle it as well as you have.......
Posted by: DaveP at September 29, 2004 12:41 PMEULOGY TO BREEZY
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.
A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. She will sleep on the cold ground where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only she may be near her master's side.
She will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; she will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. She guards the sleep of her pauper master as if he were a prince.
When all other friends desert, she remains.
When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces she is as constant in her love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that she accompany him, to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in it's embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between her paws, her eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.
Senator George Graham Vest of Missouri
Cathy, I'm so sorry! Reading your blog reminded me of our experience with the Mully dog. I still miss him! Take joy in knowing that you provided a wonderful life for both dogs.
Posted by: Kevin at September 29, 2004 05:01 PMMy heart goes out to you & your family, Cathy. And, VP, that was beautiful. A tear jerker.
Posted by: yayaempress at September 30, 2004 08:28 AMI am sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Matthew at October 1, 2004 10:15 AM