We had to put down my 12 year old black lab this last Saturday. A combination of age, back legs failing, cough, and so on, it was necessary to end it.
He was my best friend.
He loved the water and I was afraid I would find him at the bottom of the pool or dead in a corner of the yard. The only thing still strong about him was his appetite. His sight and hearing had diminished.
He would come into my bedroom late at night, come up to me, sniffing, poking me with his nose to make sure I was okay. And then curl up on a rug at the foot of the bed for a nap.
We had many a good time playing fetch in the yard and in the pool.
He was a purebred that we got for free. The previous owner had just had a baby and thought he was no longer a good fit for their family. She was very wrong as the next 12 years would prove out.
We were playing fetch one day when a lady walked by with two dogs. He went on the attack. She did not get mad, saying he was protecting me. No harm was done. We put a fence in soon after!
Like many a dog he gave his love unconditionally. And I gave it back in return.
When I am in the kitchen cooking or baking, the dogs would gather around hoping for a crumb or something to drop to the floor. This Sunday as I looked around and saw he was not there, I must admit the tears did well up in my eyes.
There are many stories to tell and I could fill pages with them but I won't. Time will pass but not my thoughts for him.
I have decided to rerun a poem I wrote about him a a few years instead.
Mugsy, gone but not forgotten.
Thank you for your time.
Ray
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
lying asleep
at the ready
for play
for a scratch
favorite snack
always looking
Lab is he
always trust
no conditions
for love
smartest he knows
out the door
game of fetch
again and again
wagging of tail
his hero
pup no longer
getting older
graybeard now
moving slower
protector
life would give
to the end
noble beast
companionship
not to judge
love in eyes
someday
absent from room
not from heart
hug and kiss
family member
better then most
people
man's best friend
8 comments:
So sorry to hear about your loss. Losing your best friend and unconditional love is never easy. *hugs*
Travel
Thank you for the hugs. They are in need.
"love in eyes"
That totally sums it up. I think only black labs have that.
I will know your pain soon enough. Wishing you comfort, knowing you will have good memories.
Middle
Thank you. I wish the same back to you.
It's very difficult to say goodbye to a best friend.
Linda
Things are getting better. The house is a bit quieter, the yard has less to pick up, the dog food is lasting longer, and the house is a bit cleaner. And I slept a little longer.
Man's best friend. Without a doubt. <3
Dee
you are absolutely correct!
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