6 1/2 years ago we welcomed Sandy into our home. Sandy was a 12 year old, big white mutt, who found himself facing death row after his elderly owner had died and the rest of the family didn't want him. A lady drove him to us from New York. Had we only known what we were getting!
He arrived scared of EVERYTHING and more than happy to bite anyone who came to close or tried to touch his head. He joyfully proceeded marking every single piece of my new furniture and crating him was not an option. He lived his first year with us trying to squeeze under the couch to hide or trying to get behind coffee tables. We finally got him over that and as the years passed he grew less and less fearful, especially the last couple of years. Still he was never a cuddly, love on me type of dog. He would walk by and wag his tail, or follow me around the yard but he didn't want much hands on contact.
Old age finally caught up with him. He lost his hearing, was losing his sight, losing his strength and ability to stand and was getting multiple tumors. So we finally made the call.
The past couple of months he hasn't really known where he was much less who I was. But today on the way to the vet, that darn dog crawled up to the front seat and put his head on the console and stared at me adoringly with his cloudy old eyes. I don't know if he was trying to guilt trip me or just telling me it was ok but whatever he was doing it turned me into a blubbering mess. I never thought it would bother me so much to let the old guy go. Here's hoping that he is in a better place and having the time of his life. We will miss you Sandy and I thank you for the lessons you taught our family; patience, healing, committment and unconditional love.
1 comment:
Chin up, you took good care of Sandy - not that that makes it any easier.
Silly old dogs always know how to get to us, don't they?
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