It's About Over

She limps.  All the time.  She can't move very fast.  Chasing tennis balls is out of the question.

I had a total hip replacement seven weeks ago, and I can go up stairs faster than she can.  And that isn't right.

She spends most of her time on her bed, or on the carpet in the living room in front of her, "human units".  She will wander down the hall late at night to sleep on the floor next to her, Momma.  But she can't jump up on the bed between us anymore.

She was the best friend for my Autistic daughter.  Pretty much her ONLY friend. 

She was the being that got nervous when the suitcases would come out, cause she knew we were leaving.  Even though, "Grandma" would come and take care of her, and spoil her and give her more, "puppy treats" than any dog ever deserved.

She knew when any one of us was sick or hurt, and spent time in our lap, or at our feet.

The muzzle is SO gray!  All the way up PAST her eyes.

When she was young, she was so excitable, and would chase a ball as long as you would throw it.  We decided she was not a Black Lab.  She was a, Meth Lab!

We used to buy tennis balls by the case at Costco cause a can at a time was just not good enough.

Now?  It's about over.  She has a hard time getting in and out of the house.

I'm going to miss this old dog.  It's August.  She's 13.  Not a bad age for a, "Meth Lab".

With any luck, one night, she will just slip into the arms of Morpheus while she sleeps and dreams of chasing tennis balls.  I really hope I don't have to have her put down, but I understand that that is probably the way it's going to end.

It's going to be tough on us all.

But its not far away.  I can just tell.  You love them and you lose them.

You might, if you've never had one, say, "Well it's not like losing a family member."

You would be wrong.  And deserving of a punch right in your neck.

If you have the right kind of relationship with your dog?  You don't keep them outside in a kennel and use them only to help you hunt game?  Which is cruel and stupid.  You will realize that loosing a dog is EVERY bit like losing a family member!  They are part of your family.  And you have to love them and treat them as such.

I'm going to miss this dog.

Every day is a bonus.  I don't think the bonus will last until September.  But I hope it does.

Hang in there, Solstice.  We don't want to lose you.  But we know we will.