Week 34 Loss of a family member

On friday of this week we had to put to sleep our 14 year old dog. It was by far one of the hardest things I have had to do in a long time. We had taken her in to the vet 2 weeks before and were informed that she likely didn't have very long to go til her health started to drop off severely. She had lost 28 pounds this past year and wasn't eating much anymore. She was still very alert, bu the signs of her aging were definately starting to show.

We had picked her out of her litter when she was just 3 days old at my sister in laws farm. As my wife put it, she was like our first born child and the thought of losing her was heartbreaking. We agonized for a week about how long to wait and what would be best for her, not what would be best for ourselves as we knew that deep down in our hearts we didn't want to lose her. For a week we went from one end of the spectrum to the other in our emotions and finally made the call to set up the appointment for last friday.

For a week we spoiled her rotten. Took her to all her favorite places and to all our various family homes so everyone could have a chance to say goodbye. Somehow I think she kind of knew something was up, she seemed to really slow down as the week went on. My whole family were there with her in the end. It was very difficult and there were alot of tears, but she went so peacefully that it it was almost surreal and hard to realize she was truly gone.

It was the next day that was probably the toughest for everyone. I remember Sifu Brinker talking about the loss of routine, even including people being around that you get used to. Not having maggie by the bed in the morning to be let out, or under the table as I had breakfest really hit me hard.  Such simple daily things were missing from my routine and it was then that I knew how much she had interacted in my life.

I  want to become more aware of all the little interactions in my life, so I don't take for granted the people around me. I hope I'm on my first few steps to being more aware of everything i do and everything that  influences me in my daily life.

We have made a photo alblum all the amazing years we had with Maggie and remembering the joy she brought to our lives helps ease the sense of loss we feel.  Pets are definately members of the family, its just sad that their lifes are so much shorter then most of ours.