Yesterday I said goodbye to Dakota, my dog of 15 years.
I got Dakota the last few weeks I was in seminary. She was a bright dog, easy to train, who loved to hunt and chase after pheasants when we lived in eastern Montana. She was with me through three moves, getting married, having kids (which she loved as you can see in the picture), my cancer battle, and so much more.
And she loved people. I would warn anyone entering the backyard, we have a dog and she may lick you to death.
Over the past year she started going downhill. She lost her hearing, was losing her sight, her memory was drifting and she had a hard time walking and climbing steps. She also stopped eating regularly, and lost 30 pounds in the last 6 months.
We knew it was time, but that never makes it any easier.
So yesterday Jen and I took her on her final journey. We both sat with her, I had my hand on her neck, and told her that she was loved.
It was a hard afternoon.
Then, on the way home, Jen had the other van and she surprised me by picking up a red bud tree that we are going to plant where her kennel is.
We will be telling the girls after school today, they were with a friend yesterday so we decided to wait.
So yesterday was a day to say goodbye. I will miss Dakota, my dog, my friend.
Have you said goodbye to pets?
1 comment:
It's always a hard thing to do. I had My cat for 17 yrs, I got her my first yr of seminary. It's like saying goodbye to a part of your life. Blessings to all of you, Tina.
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