On the way to the veterinarian's office, I was trying to think about all of the happy times I've had with my furry best friend. Reminiscing over old memories was easier than focusing on what I was about to do. I remember the day we first got our little puppy. While driving home, as the tiny creature was falling asleep in my arms, I was falling in love.
I remember the never-ending list of names before we finally decided on one. I remember all of the torn-up shirts, shoes, toys, etc. I remember coming home after a long day and being greeted by a wagging tail and kisses. I remember the way our beds were always warm when we'd come home, even though dogs weren't allowed on the furniture. I remember the hopeful eyes when begging for food, followed by the heavy amount of drool left on the floor. I remember playing fetch with sticks found in the yard. I remember the excitement when finding out we were going for a walk. I remember when it all started to go downhill.
It's always difficult when a dog starts having health problems. It breaks your heart to have to witness your baby in discomfort. No animal that loyal and caring deserves to be in pain. Some (heartless) people might focus on the dollar amount rather than the dog's quality of life. They think it's crazy to be spending money trying to improve a dog's well-being. Well, in my opinion, they're the crazy ones. No amount of money could ever be enough to replace the endless love and affection that comes with a dog.
Dogs are such incredible creatures that are oftentimes taken for granted. They have the power of completely transforming your attitude. They will always be there for you no matter what. They can cuddle with you when you're feeling sad and share excitement when you're happy. They may not fully understand the situation, but they can read your body language and recognize what you are feeling. A human's mood directly affects a dog's mood. Even when ill or in pain, their life mission is to comfort you and make you happy.
The time will come when your four-legged best friend is called up to doggy heaven. You might have a new furry family member come into your life, but that doesn't mean you don't cherish those precious memories any less. All dogs are unique and have a special impact on one's life. If lucky enough, your dog will spend a significant part of their life with you. So much can happen within that time frame and having a faithful sidekick is reassuring.
Witnessing my loving dog take her last breaths is no doubt the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I could see the confusion in her eyes, and I felt helpless. I could hear her breaths quicken and then alarmingly slow down. All we could do was hug her and tell her how much we loved her. With tears streaming down my cheeks, I watched as my sweet baby closed her eyes for the last time.
