The Death of a Dog

His name is Cowboy. He came to us 18 months ago at the end of journey through the family. The last month before he arrived here had not been pretty or fun. After three hours in the office, he went on a walk with D and our other dog. 20 minutes into the 1 1/2 hour walk, he was back on our deck, having found his way "home" through the woods, across the street in front of the high school and down the hill through more woods. I knew he was meant to be with us. And so he was. 

The heart disease arrived last spring. He lost muscle mass, his tummy swelled from fluid his heart could not process and he had a hard time lying down so he rarely slept. By this week he was exhausted and although a 5 year old lab in his soul, his heart had made him much older. He took no initiative. He quit following the scent of coyotes into the woods. He stood and looked sad. And so last night we made the hard, hard decision to let him go. This morning I sat next to him, held him and told him it was ok for him to go. Although we would be sad, he didn't have to stay around for us. He ate no breakfast and slept the rest of the morning until time to go to the vets.

He lay beside me on his blanket and first went to sleep with my hand on his head and my voice in his ear telling him he was a good dog and that we loved him. After he was sleeping deeply, the vet gave him another shot and slowly the labored breathing stopped. It was the first time in several months that I had not watched him struggle to breathe. In many ways it was a relief. Although D and I both cried, it is positive to see him at rest and have our last sight of him be at peace and no longer in a struggle. 

After a few more minutes, we left him resting peacefully on his blanket. His ashes will be returned to us and we will place his little box next to two other boxes - this being the third time in our 7 years together D and I have done this - and one day all the little boxes will be taken up the hill into the woods and laid to rest. 

Meanwhile, our boy rests easy and we have fond memories of a good, loving dog. Good-bye, Cowboy -- blessings