Putting Down An Old
Friend
Chester was
a Springer Spaniel. He was a beautiful
dog with a wonderful disposition. He
grew up with three of my grandchildren and was their protector and
companion. I am sure they are very
sad.
My daughter has
not had an easy year, I am sure that losing Chester is extra hard on her.
I only saw
Chester infrequently, but when I visited he was always by my side. He would stay by anyone willing to pet him
endlessly. Chester was a big mush.
The thing
about dogs is you don’t really train them, instead you both just learn what the
other needs. You read his signals and
know when he needs to go out, needs to be fed, needs water or needs some
love. He learns what he can chew and
what he can’t, where he is allowed to go and where he can’t, when it is time to play and when it is time to just stay by your side. It takes years for this man dog relationship
to develop, but when it does it is a beautiful thing.
And then
they grow old.
All dogs
have at least one thing that even though they know it is forbidden, they cannot
help themselves, and will not obey. I
had a black lab, Minnie that loved to chew on tissues. No matter how we disciplined her, if she had
a shot at some tissues she would chew on them and make a mess.
When the
time came that we had to put her down, we stayed with her and bawled like babies. The vet handed us some tissues. Don’t you know that as that dog was taking
her final breaths, she grabbed a tissue and chewed it? She left this world doing the one thing we
could never cure her of; she passed on with a used tissue in her mouth.
I am
guessing that when Chester left this world he was dreaming of finally catching
the tiny dog that the couple around the block walked by his house every day
or of one last try at the garbage pail when no one was looking.
Rest in
peace Chester. You were a good dog. You were loved and you will be missed. Enjoy
yourself in doggy heaven. There is a
friend waiting for you that you never met.
Look for a big black lab with a tissue in her mouth. I think you two will get along very well.
What a great post Cranky. It is spot on. Dogs have truly been man's, or at least THIS man's, best friend over the years. The hardest thing I ever did was put down my wonderful miniature schnauzer Emma Belle a little less than a year ago, December 19, 2011 to be exact. I even mention her in my Blogger profile. But in all cases you have to look at what is in the best interest of the dog, not yourself. I would love to have had her around much longer, but I knew she was sick and hurting, and there was nothing I could do about it. It was time. I couldn't allow her to suffer any longer just so I could have her by my side a few more days or weeks. What I will always have, of course, are great memories of her, just like your family will have great memories of Chester.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be so long winded, but this really struck a nerve.
S
It is so sad when you lose a faithful pet. I hated it when we had to have our pointer Jazz put to sleep... You know you are doing the right thing but that doesn't make it hurt any less.
ReplyDeleteSending big hugs to your daughter and her family - well to all of you really!
He was certainly a handsome boy :-)
Nice Post, Cranky. Very nice...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your daughter in losing Chester. This reminded me of the time I had to put down my sweet dachshund. She had a heart issue and it began to shut down her little body. That is something I don't ever want to have to do again.
ReplyDeleteHeartfelt post.
I never thought a post from a cranky old man would make me cry, but this one did. When you are lucky enough to have a dog like Chester, he is not just like a member of your family--he IS a member of your family! Please give my sympathies to your daughter & her family.
ReplyDeleteWe had a yellow lab we couldn't keep from chewing on chickens... live chickens
ReplyDeleteDarn you; now I need to go find a tissue to wipe my eyes. I'm a big softie when it comes to dogs.
ReplyDeleteTo have to bid adieu to a furbaby is so very hard....but the consolation is that they appreciate that you love them that much, that you will let them go. Lovely post, Oma Linda
ReplyDeleteGoing to hug the pups now. Lovely post. RIP Chester.
ReplyDeleteRIP Chester. It's hard - I know from experience - but it is also the ultimate act of love.
ReplyDeleteSo now you've got me sniffling! Such a touching post...I look at my Sophie and pray I have so many more years with her...she is part of my heart. I'd be lost without her.
ReplyDeleteThis made me think of the Springer Spaniel my family had when I was still very young. We had "tame" geese that lived at the pond across the road (my neighbor's great idea to clip their wings) and sometimes came over to our yard to visit. They were mean and vicious; when my dad tried to chase them out with his riding lawn mower, they would bite at the grill! Molly, our spaniel, loved nothing more than chasing out of the yard. She would stop at the edge of the pond, however, knowing somehow that she shouldn't follow them in. It kept the peace around the neighborhood but, most importantly, kept my young self safe. Thanks for bringing up such great memories!
ReplyDeleteSweet, Joe.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute to Chester. Heartfelt condolences to MB and her children. The most difficult thing to ever do is put your dog to sleep. Sure hope Chester and Minnie are having a blast in the "happy Hunting Ground".
ReplyDelete