Missing our Sophie

I found this poem a couple of days ago. It is so sweet and touching.  I miss our Sophie so much! I knew I would have a broken heart when this day came, but I never knew I would shed this many tears. We spent most of our day yesterday out of the house trying to stay busy. Things are just not the same around here.

Golden Eyes

In Loving Memory.

When golden eyes no longer glow,
and we both know it's time to go,

Don't look at me with eyes so sad,
but think of better times we had,

When sunlight did upon us shine,
and happy days were yours and mine,

And through the grass we both did run,
and on our backs we felt the sun,

Think not of this dark final hour,
think not of when our lives turned sour,

Think not of hopelessness and pain,
but think of joy and laugh again,

For in that final act of love,
you released me to heaven above,

Where finally from pain I'm free,
where one day you will join with me,

Where together again we will rejoice,
and you and I as with one voice,

Will in perfect harmony sing,
of the joy and pain that love can bring,

And remember me just as I will,
always think of you until,

At last again I see your face,
grieve not, I am in a better place.

By Carol Walker

~ Rest in Peace Sophie ~

Goodbye Sweet Sophie

Yesterday we had to make the hardest decision. We said our final goodbye to our sweet Sophie. Although she spent 10 years with us, she lived a good 12 years and 5 months to be exact. That's long full life for a Golden Retriever.

Our girl's pain had became constant and she was suffering. Even with all the medication we gave her to the max it wasn't helping. Her health declined rather quickly. It started with her no longer having the strength to get up on her own. Soon she struggled with the two steps we have to go outside. Next she stopped eating her own food. Then at last we had to carry her outside to go potty. Even that became a struggle because she had a hard time doing her business. Our sweet girl no longer seemed happy and we made the decision to put her to rest.

Sophie's final week consisted of a nice long walk around our neighborhood in a new red wagon. We made sure we walked the whole pack one last time. Gina our poodle and Andy our Yorkie all followed her in the wagon. She always loved her walks in her younger days. She also got a good grooming from me at home, something she always liked. We gave her fresh sliced apples for a treat everyday. This was a once in a while treat for her before. She had real people food in her final days, mostly because that's all she would eat. She got extra petting and loves from the whole family.

A short time ago Josh had a friend who went through the same thing and they opted to put their dog down at home. Josh always thought that would be the way he wanted Sophie to go. To our surprise our long time Vet told us she did do house calls. We agreed that this what we wanted for our Sophie. Like any dog she never liked going to the Vet much. So we surely didn't want her final moments to be fearful or nervous. Instead we wanted her to be in the comfort of those closest to her in the home that she knows. Many might say that they don't want that memory in their home, I know I didn't at first. But Josh helped me thing of it from a different perspective. Ultimately we were thinking of Sophie. For us humans we'll remember that sadness for a while, but with time I know it will get better. We at least know that Sophie's final moments with us was somewhere she knows and loves.

When the moment arrived Josh and I sat on the floor with her and pet her in all her favorite places. We told her what a good girl she was and that we love her lot's. I gave her one last good pet under her chin and she rested her head on my lap. That was our final goodbye to our first furbaby and long time faithful companion. We miss her so much already. Things just won't be the same around here. Our house is a little more empty, but she will forever be in our hearts. 

Sophie

May 5, 2003 - October 9, 2015