“We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.” Irving Townsend.
That day has come for us, and we are living in a smaller circle. Thursday evening our 17-year-old best friend of a dog Mutley was given a simple shot to put him at rest. To our family, he was more than a family pet, he was a friend at all times and a bit of a fable at other times. We took great joy in creating a human persona for Mutley, I suppose because he was as close to being human as a dog could be.
It was the most heartbreaking decision our family has had to make, but in the end, the short drive to the veterinarian’s office was also the easiest. His quality of life had deteriorated in such a way that the only reason his heart was beating was because it knew of nothing else to do. Dogs have a depth of loyalty that we often seem unworthy of. By way of demonstrating that, we all believe Mutley went on living just to please us.
We were told by the vet that dogs are pack animals and when the first shot went in to relax him, he was surrounded by his pack. Mrs. Laz and I, the Boy, the Girl and the Ber were all at his side, scratching behind his ears and alternatively getting wet kisses on the mouth. We fed him snacks (lean snacks for some reason) and a bit of ice cream to keep his mind off the dizziness we were told he was feeling.
A final injection went into his hind leg but his old veins weren’t up to taking the medicine and burst. So a second injection had to go into his front paw and he began to slip quite quickly. I tried to give him another treat as if to slow down the process we all knew was happening, and he began to go for it, but the toxin had begun to do its job and he was unable to indulge in eating once more, a favorite joy of his. We all cried as we watched the life ebb out of him, but we had been crying for a while by then. The Girl stroked his soft coat several times and the Boy gave him a light final kiss on his nose and we all left the room knowing his body was there but his spirit had followed us out the door.
They say when you get to heaven all the dogs and cats you’ve had run up to greet you. Until that day, good buddy, rest in peace.
5 comments:
Rest easy, Mutley. Your humans are going to miss you.
Thanks Henry. Em held a "celebration of his life" party today. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear the news (I just posted another comment but for some very suscipious reason, several of my comments just simply disappear after I submit them). Anywho, I'm sure you're all hurting very much; I couldn't read this too closely for reasons you can understand. But your writing was beautiful and incredible as always. SmoKeE sends her best, sorry you have to go through this, it must be heartbreaking. And I do think you all were probably very deserving of the unconditional love you received. Except maybe you could have given a big fatty treat!!!!
Mutley you will be missed very much. You were a very sweet soul and I know you are now having a great time in the afterlife.. Love you all
Mutley was a one of a kind "man's best friend". He grew in stature and legend with very little effort. He gave out and back with out condition consistently. And we loved him unconditionally as well. Our home is quieter without him but our memories will always shine bright for him. He was really the definition of special. I am additionally so thankful and proud of our family-stepping up together to do what had to be done in the best interest of our Mutley.
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