At 8:30 a.m. on this lovely, lazy Saturday morning I received a call from my mother. Sobbing uncontrollably, she managed to let me know that her baby (the dog) had just passed away in her arms. Apparently they learned yesterday that she was bleeding internally and must be let go. Their veterinarian came to the house this morning to quietly allow her to pass away. My mother called while my father was burying her.
While I'm not close to my parents, hearing my mother's pain through the telephone line touched something in me and I began to cry.
I remembered going through the same pain not long ago with my own favorite dog. It was the single most gut-wrenching event I've experienced. She died with her head in my lap, my tears falling on her nose as I softly stroked her head and told over and over what a good girl she was. I'll never forget that day.
November 16, 2006. It was "the day the sky cried." I made that drive to the veterinary office, trying to watch the road through my tears. My long-time friend and protector was in the back seat, taking her last ride in the car. As I drove, the sky opened up. It rained and rained that day, matching my own torrent of tears.
It took my children and me quite a long time to get over the death of our beloved dog. Her absence left a gaping hole in our lives that wasn't filled until we picked out a new puppy together. This new puppy love gave us the ability to finally let go of the pain and loss....
Time really does heal wounds. I know that in time my mother will be ready for a new wriggling, warm bundle of playfullness.
And so today I will think fondly of the very loved and spoiled Rottweiler - the dog who captured all the love and affection from my mother that I only dreamed of. Rest well, sweet girl.
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