A Dogs Life-#4 update- A Eulogy

Way back in June of 2016 I wrote a post I titled A Dogs Life-#4 about the two current dogs in my life. In this post I wrote about my 100 + pound regal Rhodesian Ridgeback and my special girl, that I described as “homely” because she was. Was……..

This morning, I had my special, homely girl euthanized or “put to sleep” as we prefer to call it in the South.

For the last couple of days she had been acting very pokey. At first I just chalked it up to her going into heat. In the past she would get a little snippy during her cycle and as she has gotten older a little meaner. But it typically didn’t last long so after three days I became concerned.

By the fourth day she had become very lethargic so we took her to the vet. After a battery of test, x-rays and $700 I knew no more about what was wrong with her than I did before I walked in the door of the veterinary clinic. The Doctor gave her some fluids, and a sedative to help her sleep and home we went hoping that after some rest she would be back to her old self terrorizing chipmunks in the backyard.

Unfortunately when I checked on her this morning she had gone down hill dramatically. She was suffering although I wasn’t sure it was from pain, maybe it was, but I think it was more out of frustration. Frustration that she wasn’t bugging the shit out of her big brother or chasing squirrels around the yard. Frustration that she just didn’t feel like her old bad ass self.

After I had to put Dog #3 down I promised myself that I wouldn’t get so emotionally attached to “just a dog” ever again. Well this morning I broke that promise. As I drove her to the vet, crying like a baby listening to her moan in the backseat, I knew in my heart that she wasn’t coming back with me.

Yes she was a homely little girl and a pain in the ass most days digging holes and driving everyone nuts. But she was also the smartest dog I have ever owned and today, after 11 years of being the Queen of our backyard she is gone.

I held her paw, as she quietly slipped away this morning. I told her to have a safe trip and I thanked her. For the unconditional love she gave us. The kind of love only a stray can offer, thankful for a home and a family. The kind of love that none of us deserves and take for granted until its gone and today I experienced another hard gone. I am sure there will be more but I was surprised how much this one hurt. She was after all “just a dog'”

Rest in peace my special friend. The squirrels won’t miss you but your family does and will.