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.
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
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