RIP Spunky
I'm still a bit shook up about this myself, so I figured I would just pass on an e-mail my mom sent out in memoriam of our family dog, Spunky. We rescued Spunky from the SPCA in 1994 when he was 13 months old and 1 day from being put down. I was 10 when Spunky joined our family. 15 good, long years later, we let Spunky go. I'm sure wherever he is, he's in his prime again.
You were a good boy, Spunky
September 1, 1993 - October 15, 2009
We are sad to relate that Spunky is no longer with us... after his major seizures and infection on Tuesday morning, he was not doing well. Prospects of recovery were small and he was unable to navigate the stairs down in the house and needed to be carried, fell over easily and was having problems with his bowels. On the plus side: his last day was a "good day" for him, and he was able to get around and notice things again most of the time.
His last day with us: We made his favourite meal: liver and Kraft dinner...which we hand fed him, and he enjoyed. We brought out his favourite ball and he caught it in his mouth for a few seconds and wagged his tail. He made it into the back yard for a few pictures with us. Bonnie arrived from Banff and cuddled him, and he really liked that. We all got some private time with him to tell him what a great dog he was, how much we loved him, thanked him for 16 wonderful years of trips, ball games, family events, runs, walks, dog games, and being our best dog-friend ever. I went to mass in the morning, lit a candle for him in the chapel in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and asked Jesus to welcome him into heaven to meet Amy, Rex and Ursus, and to wait for us there, where we will meet him again.
His appointment was at 2 pm, we were home by 3 pm. The lady vet was very very kind and gentle, we had lots of time with him, and then about 15 minutes after she gave the sedative he was gently snoring although his eyes were open. The actual final shot worked within the minute.
We have arranged to have him individually cremated, and will receive his ashes in a cedar, sealed, box within 3 days. At first we were not going to do this, but I felt he deserved it after 16 years, and plus, I wanted him to be with us here in our house...it was all he ever asked of us, to be near us and to share our lives.
We are going to miss him so very very much.
I think I have personally gone through one whole box of Kleenexes. So far.
The house feels very quiet and there are so many little things I keep expecting to see him part of already, which of course he is not.
Once his cedar box arrives, I plan to place it in his favourite spot (under our bed) for a few days, with his collars. Then we will choose a more permanent place, and know we still have him near us.
Maybe this all sounds silly and overly emotional, but he was not just our pet, he was our daily friend and a good member of our family, who always gave us unconditional love and joy. We shall miss him forever. We know it was the "best" thing to do for him, but it was the "hardest" thing to do for us.
Thanks for sharing our sorrow with us, and please keep us in your prayers. It feels, to me, like someone has beaten me up, and sometimes it is just hard to breathe.
Nathene & Rick
You were a good boy, Spunky
September 1, 1993 - October 15, 2009
We are sad to relate that Spunky is no longer with us... after his major seizures and infection on Tuesday morning, he was not doing well. Prospects of recovery were small and he was unable to navigate the stairs down in the house and needed to be carried, fell over easily and was having problems with his bowels. On the plus side: his last day was a "good day" for him, and he was able to get around and notice things again most of the time.
His last day with us: We made his favourite meal: liver and Kraft dinner...which we hand fed him, and he enjoyed. We brought out his favourite ball and he caught it in his mouth for a few seconds and wagged his tail. He made it into the back yard for a few pictures with us. Bonnie arrived from Banff and cuddled him, and he really liked that. We all got some private time with him to tell him what a great dog he was, how much we loved him, thanked him for 16 wonderful years of trips, ball games, family events, runs, walks, dog games, and being our best dog-friend ever. I went to mass in the morning, lit a candle for him in the chapel in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and asked Jesus to welcome him into heaven to meet Amy, Rex and Ursus, and to wait for us there, where we will meet him again.
His appointment was at 2 pm, we were home by 3 pm. The lady vet was very very kind and gentle, we had lots of time with him, and then about 15 minutes after she gave the sedative he was gently snoring although his eyes were open. The actual final shot worked within the minute.
We have arranged to have him individually cremated, and will receive his ashes in a cedar, sealed, box within 3 days. At first we were not going to do this, but I felt he deserved it after 16 years, and plus, I wanted him to be with us here in our house...it was all he ever asked of us, to be near us and to share our lives.
We are going to miss him so very very much.
I think I have personally gone through one whole box of Kleenexes. So far.
The house feels very quiet and there are so many little things I keep expecting to see him part of already, which of course he is not.
Once his cedar box arrives, I plan to place it in his favourite spot (under our bed) for a few days, with his collars. Then we will choose a more permanent place, and know we still have him near us.
Maybe this all sounds silly and overly emotional, but he was not just our pet, he was our daily friend and a good member of our family, who always gave us unconditional love and joy. We shall miss him forever. We know it was the "best" thing to do for him, but it was the "hardest" thing to do for us.
Thanks for sharing our sorrow with us, and please keep us in your prayers. It feels, to me, like someone has beaten me up, and sometimes it is just hard to breathe.
Nathene & Rick
posted by Bonnie at 10:04 PM
3 Comments:
i do love my pet dog "chhotoo" meaning tiny. actually when my husband brought the puppy it was quite small and cute. we both gave this name to the creature that had become the very lifeblood of both of us. unfortunately i lost almost everything due to a massive set back since 7 years from now. i was compelled to loose my "chhotoo" in that incident. tears only ooze from my eyes at this moment seeing ur post and pic........
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We lost our dog, Jasmine, a year ago. We were in NY looking for our new home when we received an emergency 4am phone call from our friend who was watching her. She was put down an hour later after much gnashing of teeth and heart-rending discussion--even now, the pain still grips and the sorrow of not having the chance to say good-bye. All relationships are reflective of love and losing our beautiful dog is as real a grief as any.
Thanks for sharing.
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