Today I rushed my old dog Sam to the Emergency Vet, because his throat was so swollen and he was having trouble breathing.
Sam is our nine year old Lab mix that came into our family by way of chance. Our dogs were stolen one night while we were at Disneyland in the June of 2000. I had told Mike that I did not want to ever have a dog again. In August, Mike took me to the animal shelter in Mojave, California down the street from where he works still to this day. Anyway, the guy that worked there told the firemen if they wanted a puppy to come to the pound and to come soon. These puppies were sick and to be euthanized soon. When we got to the pound we were met by this guy and he took us straight back to see the puppies. There were six puppies, all black, some with long fur and others with short. I opened the kennel and they all came running out. You could not tell that they had kennel cough. One with a black spot on his tongue came over and laid on my lap. Another, long haired pup was playing with the kids. I was tossed. Mike said "we'll take the one with the spot on his tongue." The guy wrote on his (Sam's) slip, DECEASED. He told us to walk through the front door and to meet him at the side of the building. When we did he handed us our new family member.
Sam has been a huge part of our lives for nine amazing years He has brought us so much joy. He has always been a good boy. He has always been good to the kids and other animals. He loves the ferrets and can't understand why the cat still hates him after six years.
Today he was diagnosed with Multicentric Lymphoma. And even as I write this he lays next to me on the floor. This is treatable somewhat with chemotherapy. In other words it might give him another year to a year in a half. We opted to give him a few more days. He was giving a Chemo shot and we will be giving him Steroids until Mike gets home, then it will be time to let go and say good bye to a long time buddy. We love you Sammy!
The Rainbow Bridge - Author Unknown
ReplyDeleteJust this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Thank you! I will always remember this, always.
ReplyDelete