Well, I have been putting this post off for a while now . . . for 40 days to be exact. On Saturday, April 10, 2010 at about 4:45 pm I said my final good-bye to Brenda. She was surrounded by people that love her and I miss her everyday. She lasted longer than any of our other dogs that had been diagnosed with lymphoma and it was a testament to her spirit that she held on, happily, for as long as she did. She was her same sweet and feisty self right up until the very end. I am grateful that we didn't have to watch her take a slow and painful decline until she was no longer the dog we knew and loved. We had lunch together on her last day and many others came from all over the sanctuary to see her smiling face one last time.
It was the only time during her long fight that she really seemed like she was getting uncomfortable. When I took her out on Thursday, she was still spunky and curious; there had been more and more signs over the preceding weeks that we were probably getting close to the end, but it was all physical. There was never a change in her personality, she never stopped being happy to see her family of people and she definitely never stopped looking for a cookie! But, in spite of her great personality and drive to squeeze everything out of every moment, her body was no longer in the fight. She was a wonderful dog, sweet and funny with a personality that filled the room and a tongue always ready for a good, sloppy kiss. She seemed happy and, I suppose, that is all we can really hope for.
(All photos copyright Allison Martin.)
It was the only time during her long fight that she really seemed like she was getting uncomfortable. When I took her out on Thursday, she was still spunky and curious; there had been more and more signs over the preceding weeks that we were probably getting close to the end, but it was all physical. There was never a change in her personality, she never stopped being happy to see her family of people and she definitely never stopped looking for a cookie! But, in spite of her great personality and drive to squeeze everything out of every moment, her body was no longer in the fight. She was a wonderful dog, sweet and funny with a personality that filled the room and a tongue always ready for a good, sloppy kiss. She seemed happy and, I suppose, that is all we can really hope for. 
(All photos copyright Allison Martin.)
2 comments:
It is never easy to say goodbye. What I think is so great about her last day is when you said she was surrounded by friends.
Many humans dont get that kind of love in their last days.
To me it is a way to say F.U. to a universe that puts animals in a situation where they have no power over any choices.
In other words once in a while the least of us gets to be lifted by friends to the status of great.
It is sad but it is so wonderful that you and her other friends were there to say goodbye.
I can't follow Anonymous's excellent comment. But I'm sending happy thoughts your way. They should get there in a few weeks. :-\
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