Golden Oldie sophie, that's how your post on DP was labelled... I hoped we could give you alittle peace in your final months, never understanding how much more you would give us in return. When you arrived you were 13, a little thin, a little wobbly, but happy to have friends and a garden. Withinweeks you were fitting regularlly, whereupon came my first chance to carry you- which I did willingly, and not once did you struggle. Once spayed it seems your fits lessened until they stopped altogether. Now you were a little rotund, not at all wobbly, happy to have friends to chase around garden and fields- now you would NOT be carried, there was too much life to be lived. Gradually you became slow on walks, your breathing laboured.We noticed lumps on your nose,had them checked out fearing the worst... they were benign and could be controlled with pills. What joy to see you snuffling along with your friends once more on our country walks, with energy to play and chase again- no need for you to be carried, we couldn't keep up with you! A year went by, a 2nd summerlazing in the garden- suddenly you were very ill, couldn't stand, of course I carried you to the car, into the vets..... a serious bout of peritonitis was Not going to stop your summer lazing in the garden, you rallied, you came home once more. I tried to lift you from the car, you struggled, would not have it, there was too much life still to be lived to be carried. Our 2nd xmas together, what a joy! You were a little under good weight, a little wobbly on the back legs, a little bemused at times.. but you were still smiling, still your tail wagged non stop,you played, you sniffed those smells, you walked and sometimes ran with your friends. As spring (our 3rd together) approached, your back legs seemed weaker- one evening you struggled to get onto the sofa, fell back and lay there distraught. I lifted you, held you, comforted you- you rallied, smiled, wagged your tail, decided to stay a little longer. But you seemed to age before my eyes- many times in those next precious few weeks I stopped to hug you when your eyes implored- you smiled still, and how you wagged your tail. 9th of May, a simple step on our short walk made you stumble and fall... I feel so guilty, should I have walked you that day, did you try to tell me? I carried you, you pressed into me, didn't struggle,never walked again. That day you lay on your bed, wagged your tail as I checked you, but you were slipping... I lifted you to the sofa whereyou lay next to me resting, dreaming, until it was time to carry you to the car. You sat on my lap for the journey, I didn't let go of you again until I kissed your nose and wished you sweet dreams as you finally slipped away Could I have done more for you? I hope my best was enough, we were honoured that you chose to stay with us for so long when sometimes it would have been easier to go- you know I would have carried you for as far and as long as you asked. Sweet dreams dear Sophie
Dedicated to the
re-homing and rehabilitation of stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs
