Today when we got home from church, we noticed that King didn't seem right. We weren't sure what it was, but something was up. He was breathing really fast and was slower to get up than usual. When he walked across the yard & pee'd blood we knew something was really wrong. We offered him a treat and he just looked at it like he didn't know what to do with it. He did finally take part of it in his mouth, but he chewed on it & it fell out of his mouth. For a dog that lives to get treats, we knew there was a VERY BIG problem. Larry went inside & called the vet and got instructions on where to take him (vet ER). We got a blanket & put it into the car for him to lay on while the kids led him around to the front yard on a leash. He didn't make it to the car before he layed down. The kids all sat down on the ground around him & pet on him and started crying because they were scared. Larry went over & nodded to me that something was wrong, so I joined the rest of them and we realized that King was dying. He had his head in Savannah's lap and all three kids were crying...Savannah was screaming uncontrollably "King, no! King, don't die!" the whole time, but King just slowly faded away.
He was surrounded by his family, stroked & loved til the very last breath. We wrapped him in a blanket that I made for Sarah several years ago & Larry took him to my parents' house (they have a lot of land) to bury him. None of the kids could bear the idea of being there to see him put in the ground, so we stayed here. It's been nearly 2 hours now and it's only been in the past 20 min that the screaming sobs have calmed.
We're heartbroken at the loss of our sweet boy, King. Prayers for our family, especially the kids, are deeply appreciated.
8 comments:
Oh boy this brings back so many memories of the day my Clyde died.. It was so hard and it took a long time to get over it.. There were lots of sobbing here too.. As you know Time will help ease the pain.. Praying for everyone..
One thing I did use was a website that helped me alot Rainbow Bridge..it helped me get through the hard times...
Oh I am so sorry. We just lost our 18 year old kitty that we got when our son Philip had his stroke and our Greyhound is 15. I worry everyday about him.
I know this is so hard for your family and so very sad for the kids.
King was a very lucky dog to be so loved.
I will be thinking of of all of you.
Hugs.
Oh no. I'm so sorry. I know he was special.
I am so sorry about your sweet doggy. I know you all loved him very much :(
Oh, Liz I am so sorry.
Dear Family:
Thank you for helping us save King. I was able to help save him from that animal shelter and help him with his broken leg, but it was your family that gave him what he needed the most - your home, your hearts & your love. He was so very, very happy being with children that he so adored. He is going to miss all of you so very much, I have no doubt.
Please remember that he will always be right there with you even if you can't see him. He will always be in your hearts and you will always be in his heart. And I know he will hope that you will share your lives with another dog or dogs someday. A dog that needs you as much as he needed you and as much as you needed him. I believe dogs are here to show us what unconditional love truly is.
I have no doubt that he can run and jump and play again and now he doesn't have to physically hurt or feel bad. He is probably chasing butterflies and having the best time running again. It has been a long time since could really run & play.
I know it hurts so much right now and you miss him so very much, but you are his family and I know you will see him again some day.
The important thing is that he is happy & not hurting or in pain. And that's the hard thing, when what we want the most, for him to be with us, is not perhaps the best thing for him, especially if he had to be here and be hurting or in pain. That's what love truly is, putting the needs of someone else before our own needs, and understanding what is best for them. That's real love.
I love King too and I know Denise does as well. I say love present tense, and not loved past tense, because where there is love there is life. There always will be. King was and always will be the most darling of dogs. I was so fortunate to know him and love him and I'm sure you feel the same.
I thought you might like to have a copy of this poem someone gave me a few years ago. King will be waiting there I'm sure to greet you ... he wouldn't want you to be sad. He would want you to focus on remembering his life & not his death, since his life is a testament to that deep love he had for you all. I think he would want me to let you know how very, very, very happy he was with you. Thank you for loving him.
Much love,
Leanne
Senior Love
One by One, they pass by my cage,
They say, "Too worn, too broken, too old of age.
Way past his time, he can't run and play."
Then they shake their heads and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog older, with a broken leg that's so frail?
My first family let me run - I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my loving was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their heads,
Makes me wonder how they could have just left me for dead.
I sat in that cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs got adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
Someone saw my face, and I finally had hope.
They saw through the grey, and the broken leg & my age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You (my forever family) took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear family, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years.
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that I must leave,
I know you will cry and your hearts, you will grieve.
Please remember when I arrive at the Bridge, all young & brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will proudly speak (bark) to all who will hear,
Of the people who made my last days so wonderful & dear.
This poem by Leslie Whalen (with special paraphrasing just for King).
Oh Liz, I am so sorry to read this. I understand how important a family pet can be!! They are apart of the family. I will say extra prayers for the children as they grieve for King.
Thanks to everyone who's posted a comment. We appreciate them all.
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