This morning my friend Amelia called to deliver some bad news. Tobey, her four-year-old Golden Retriever, died early this morning. Poor Tobey. He was such a good, sweet little dog. He loved to go to Homer Lake and play in the water. This Spring, Amelia and I along with my five stepchildren took Toby to Homer Lake. He was so excited to play with the kids and they loved him too. They were all throwing sticks in the water for him so fast he didn't know which one to chase down first. He had a blast and so did the kids.
Tobey's passing reminded me of when I lost me Golden Retriever, Tallulah, aka Lu. She too was very young, almost four. She died only a few short months after my father had passed making it incredibly hard to loose her. I was living six hours away at the time and mom called to say that Lu was not doing well and that I would need to make the decision about her. I went to the Vet's office and spent some time alone with her. She was in so much pain. I couldn't let her suffer. I sat on the floor of the surgery room and stroked her head on my lap while I cried hysterically. I couldn't stand to loose her right after I had lost my dad. I was heartbroken. She loved me so much. I was HER person.
Lu stealing Caleb's seat
The Vet's were so kind. And they felt so bad. The last time they had seen me was at my dad's visitation. They knew what a struggle we had been through with him and now Lu. I wish that I had stayed with her but I didn't think I could take it. My heart still breaks when I think about leaving her. She tried to go with me because she thought I was there to take her home. More than a year later I am sitting here writing this sobbing. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
I'm so sorry Amelia. Tobey was a great dog. A great friend and he will be missed!
This is a forward I was sent after I lost Lu. It is a tear-jerker but it always made me feel better when I read it. It has a good message.
Here it is:
A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life --like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Be always grateful for each new day.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY !
