GoodBye to an Old Friend....

Today, I'm going to depart from my regular writing. But I think what I'm going to talk about lends itself to what we're about. I'm preparing to say good-bye to my dog. She's been with me for 12 years now. It's particularly difficult because she's one of those dogs you'll never replace. She's a mama's girl-always at my side. She's the first one I see in the morning, the last one I see at night, my constant companion. I can't imagine life without her. She was diagnosed with Cushing's last year, and I was told the expectancy was 1-2 years. We hoped for 2, we got 1. Although there's not going to be a big thing that will happen, we're seeing her get to the point where it's on those who love her to make the decision that's best for her. And this is where the struggle begins. I love this dog. Love her. She's lying here on the floor next to my chair as i write this. Her presence in my life is a constant. Those who own and truly love animals understand this. But the promise I made was not to continue fighting to the end, but to do the right thing by her. The right thing is now to let her go with dignity. To allow her to leave us while she is not starving, not so underweight that she can no longer get up by herself. To leave us while she can still understand the basic commands she is being given. Those functions are slowly leaving her. The episodes that were lasting a day or two stretched into a week or two. The last one lasted a month. When we went to the vet, instead of drawing blood, he took her face in his hands and said "Oh, sweetheart". I knew. And, I'm not entirely selfless, I'll admit that right now. I do not want to let her go. But, I do not want to have her here at her expense so I can feel better. So, after a consult with the vet, we've reached a compromise I think I can deal with. My girl will spend Thanksgiving with us. She can have anything she wants to eat. She's been on a restricted diet for a year, so that will be a treat for her. She'll get all the extra love and hugs and kisses from those who want to say goodbye that she can stand. Then, my husband and I will take her, and we'll say goodbye to her on our own. We owe her that. Sometimes, it's not how long and hard you're willing to fight that counts, but how willing you are to give up when it's time. Not for your sake, but for theirs. So, we'll be having a few more days, and I'll be glad I have them. Does responsible ownership suck? It sure does. But I think my girl is counting on me to do right by her, she's always done right by me.
By RH2