Oh, what a loss. I don’t know what I’ll do when it’s time to lose one of my dogs. What a heart breaker.
I've had that dog literally since the day she was concieved. Her dam and sire (whom I also owned) 'did the deed' in my backyard. I was there when the pups were born and was also literally the first person to touch them.
She'd been with me longer than both my marraiges put together, and longer than my son has been alive.
She was there for some really good times as well as some times when I couldn't buy a friend for love nor money.
She was always a good and gentle dog even if she wasn't the brightest of Gods creatures. When she passed she was wearing her favorite 'old lady' sweater and she still had it on when I buried her under her favorite flower patch in my backyard.
The two younger dogs are leaving her 'nap spots' alone for the time being. I think they're convinced I'm going to walk into the house with old Basha on the leash any time now and that she'll be freshly washed and cut once again.
I got some odd looks from the other two dogs as I picked up Bashas food dish and dog bed to put them away for the final time. I know they didn't understand why I was balling my eyes out as I did it.
But as I said, I know she's in a better place free at last of the pain which had been making her miserable for the last several months. When her hips almost completely failed last week I knew it was time, though I most sorely wished it wasn't.
The vet who helped me through it was wonderful. They've been seeing her since the very beginning. When they pulled out her records and saw she'd been a 'client' since 1989 they were amazed. Even the ladies at the counter were dabbing their eyes as Basha slowly limped in to the exam room for the last time.
It's going to be hard to break long developed habits. I caught myself reaching down to pour the third bowl of kibble this morning before I remembered.
I hope that will pass soon because it's a hard knock to the heart.
I'll think of her every time I look at the blooms in the flower patch out back and remember that she was indeed a very good dog.
Thank you my friend.
L