For the past 13 years, I've enjoyed the company of my faithful companion, Taco. She had an interesting albeit mysterious history in the two or three years from birth until I had the honor of taking her home.
One year, for my birthday, my wife took me to the Humane Society in Tucson, Arizona to find a new pal. She knew I was longing to have a doggy, since I hadn't had one since I lived at home with Mom and Dad. We arrived and I went immediately to the kennels, which appeared to be at full capacity. Every kennel had at least one dog, jumping up and down, barking, attempting to get my attention. Except for one. She had a litter of puppies with her and she just sat at the door and looked at me with a look that I'll never forget.
As it turns out, she had been picked up as a stray, skin and bones, and obviously had a tough life. She was about to be euthanized because nobody wanted to adopt her. Then a litter of stray puppies was found -- they brought them in and "Clementine" took them on as if they were her own. Without her even knowing it, she saved her own life. Well, she had nursed those puppies to health and they didn't need a momma anymore, so she was returned to her death sentence.
We arrived to adopt her on her last day of planned existence -- she was scheduled for euthanasia the next morning at 6am.
When we first got her and brought her home, she scoured the area. After settling down a bit, she sat under the bar by the kitchen. I walked over and reached up to get my glass of water on the bar above her and she cowered. So I suspect that she was mistreated earlier in life by some jerk.
I'm happy to report that from that day forward, she lived an extraordinary life and was spoiled right until the end. She was in a lot of pain the last few days and I spent a lot of time hugging and talking to her. The part that was almost too much to bear was the look on her face when she was in pain -- she would look at me as if to say, "Daddy, please take the pain away." The pain pills were not working and she had too many problems that couldn't be fixed. The second I realized that she was not going to get better was the second that I decided to make that call. She was in my arms right up until the end.
Sweet dreams, dear friend.
W ~ I am so sorry my man.
Sending you a big bear hug from Indiana.
Wow.
I feel for your loss.
She sounded like a great friend.
Sorry for you loss.
Jim in nh
Thoughts and prayers are with you and Angel.
It is amazing how attached we become, and how they become such a big part of our lives.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Wendell.
Godspeed, sweet Taco.
We arrived to adopt her on her last day of planned existence -- she was scheduled for euthanasia the next morning at 6am.
You have my most sincere condolences in your loss.
I'm not much of a believer except for the law of cosines. But regarding dogs and cats I make an exception. Just last week we visited the local Chinese restaurant where we have got to know the owners over thirty years. Jane, the sister of the owner, who is a Buddhist, presented my wife, her good friend, with a problem beyond her understanding.
A black cat had appeared at the door of the temple.
The nuns did not immediately understand how to deal with this situation. Many issues regarding food, symbolism, karma, etc. Particularly food, with no meat of any kind being allowed in the temple. Cats need meat. They cannot synthesize taurine, an essential amino acid (my wife is a registered dietitian). A question about turning over the cat to the humane society from Jane was answered by my wife: "Black cats are almost never adopted as they are seen as bad luck. They will be killed". Jane was visibly shocked.
Luckily I can bypass all of the rest and say that the cat and the nuns (with some help) got it all sorted out and the cat has found a home. It turns out that cat food is "karma neutral" as something is going to die to feed the cat regardless, and that one who keeps dogs or cats as pets is "karma positive".
Sorry to hijack your thread. Learning new things every week. Thanks for posting this.
I've about had it with this year... :'(
(I am grateful, though, that I get to spend Christmas with my mom, my uncle with terminal cancer, and later Christmas night with all of my best girlfriends playing cards and eating my friends moms desserts. 😀 )
Wendell - sorry to hear about Taco. It really hurts to lose a dog. Not much consolation now, but it does get better.
Angel - you have been slammed. Focus on the good; it is there.
You both are in my prayers.
Ken
Sorry for your loss friend. Not much worse than a man losing his dog. You did the right thing.
So sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful story. You did the right thing for Taco, that is a fact.
Andy
You literally GAVE her thirteen years.
She gave it right back.....so to console yourself, remember the good times.
Hoping this holiday season will bring better times for you and Angel.
Best, Angelo
Sorry to hear of your loss and of Angel's situation.
:good: My thoughts are with you both.
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.”
? Milan Kundera
That Is The Hardest Part, Saying "When"
We've gone through that with several cats. The last time we had to make that choice we did not realize how hard it would be on our younger cat. She waited at the door for days for her senior companion to return.
That is one thing about surveying, getting into peoples far back yards and seeing markers reminding you of who their best friends were. Some times it is only a pile of rocks where a pile of rocks should not be.
Paul in PA
> "Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.”
> ? Milan Kundera
:good:
Wow, what a great, fitting quote.
Wendell, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. A friend cannot be replaced, but you will have new ones.
Wendell, so sorry to hear about your loss. Bless the pets they make our lives so much better.
I hope next year is much more kind to you and Angel.
Wonderful quote!
Wendell, I felt what you wrote.
Mourn a while, and go get another one.
Nate
I lost my Jumbo last year, it is tough and I am sorry for your loss. They really are the best friends we have. I hope you and Angel have a better 14.
