posted on November 15, 2007 03:00:22 PM new
Our son and his wife have two dogs (no kids); the older one, Risa, died today, and our son sent this message, which is, I think, touching:
"Tuesday was Risa’s ultrasound-guided effusion. The hope was that they’d have a better chance at removing blood from her chest cavity when they could see what they were doing. At first, it seemed more successful than the last one. She seemed much better when we picked her up at the vet last night. But when we got home, she started having serious problems. She refused to lie down, even to sleep, as if the pressure was uncomfortable. We’d walk into a room and just see her standing there staring at nothing in particular instead of sacked out lying down. Her breathing also became extremely labored. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining these things at the time. Then we were up until 3:00 yesterday morning with her.
"Through the look in her eyes and her body language, she’s told us both that it was time…
"After we first brought her home, we of course had to settle on a name. I remember sitting on the floor with a Spanish-English dictionary in hand with my sister on the other end of the phone. Risa’s full name is Sonrisa, which means smile. (Risa means laughter.) We settled on that because she made us smile and because frankly it was a pretty name. True to her name, right up to today, she’s given us a lot of laughs and smiles over the years.
"Risa had this funny habit of "sampling" her food. Dinnertime went like this: we’d put her food down. She’d walk up slowly to it and take three kibbles out of her bowl. Then she’d walk into the next room and gently spit out the kibbles and eat them. Then, and only then, would she eat the rest of her food. As if the food was magically going to change. We eventually decided that Risa needed a playmate, so we adopted Orion. This put an end to the food sampling. Risa learned fast that if she didn’t eat her food right away, Orion would eat it for her.
"Since she never gave any indication that she was in pain, we decided to wait until today to put her down so that her primary vet can be there. She will be cremated and her ashes spread over the St. Francis garden at Bubbling Well Pet Memorial Park in Napa.
posted on November 15, 2007 04:36:54 PM new
Roadsmith, Please pass along condolences to your son and daughter in law. We have lost two dogs and there are still tears when we talk about them. Their short lives are a price we pay for the joy of having them in ours. We are never ready even when we know it is time.
Our Lacy is 11 1/2 and we almost lost her this summer. Every day we wake up with her we give thanks. When Lacy ate all dry food she would sometimes pick up a mouthful and take it to the dining room rug and drop it then come back and eat the rest. While she was so sick and had no appetite we gave her canned food to get her to eat. Now I am trying to mix dry with it in hopes of getting her to eat dry again.
I am sure their other dog will be a comfort but I know they will always remember Risa.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on November 15, 2007 07:41:34 PM new
I was hoping Risa would pull through, although ultimately all creatures have their time. I'm glad she wasn't in pain. My little sister lost her two oldest cats in the last several months, I consider them her "first-born" because they were her children. I lost my "first-born" 14 year-old golden retriever 9 years ago. The look in his eyes was unmistakable. I am so thankful it was clear-cut when it was time to put him down.
posted on November 16, 2007 09:06:47 AM new
Roadsmith - please give your son and his wife my condolences. Having been there I know it's hard but it will get better and one day they will only remember the love they had for her and the love she gave them.
posted on November 20, 2007 09:51:12 AM new
Roadsmith sorry to hear of your son's and his wife's loss.
I have two dogs of my own and since day one I have thought of (in the back of my mind) the day I would have to make the deicision to put them down. It is always a tough decision to make.
A Dog's Prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside... for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements... and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land... for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
--Beth Norman Harris
"In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: the stupid, and the envious. - John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester
