Over the past few years, our dogs have been passing on. We have had as many as five. Then, four.
After Nan passed, we became three. Today, we are two.
They don’t live long enough and so we have to live with the sad knowledge that in the future — near or far — we will be saying goodbye.
Amber has had cancer for a while. We knew about it. It was past fixing. For the better part of a year, she seemed okay. As long as she had a decent quality of life, we were okay too.
During the past few weeks, she had been going downhill. Sleeping most of the time, not interested in much of anything, though she was still willing to get up for a biscuit. Most of the time. Sometimes, she would wait on the sofa and hope we’d bring it to her. We did.
Garry believed she was in pain. And she had that terrible death smell that people and animals get when something awful is going on internally. It was time to bring it to an end and we did.
The other dogs are very quiet today. They know. They always know. Bishop is not in great shape either. I worry about him. It’s difficult to absorb so many losses in such a short span.
There will be other dogs, I know. When there is room at the inn, somewhere is a dog who needs a home. Meanwhile, I do not think our dogs will sing again until at least one more voice can join the chorus.
Categories: Animals, dogs, In Memorium, Pets
I am so sorry to hear about Amber. I know how hard it is to lose a pet and it’s not been so long since the last time. I am glad that you were able to have a few months with her when she still had some quality of life. I hope that Bonnie and Bishop will be around to comfort you for a while.
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So sorry to hear about another loss in the Armstrong household! Glad that you see other rescue dogs in your future – another one will come along and rescue you from your mourning. You will be a happy and bonded pack of 5 again soon. We have a 15 year old and are dreading the time when he starts to fail.
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Thanks Ellin. Bishop isn’t doing well, either. It’s just been one after another … I’m just hoping we can nurse Bish along for a while. He’s a big sweet boy and Bonnie and he are quite the couple. They adore each other.
I figure someone will have a dog for us. Nature abhors a vacuum and there’s a big hole in the pack.
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