Thursday, May 31, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Gentleman Dog
Over 12 years ago a little bundle of golden energy joined our community when our neighbors brought home a golden retriever. Luke grew into a lion headed dog, large, shaggy and always a gentleman. He was a part of the family as their girls played with our girls. We visited and admired his new puppies that he sired. We returned him when he occasionally ran loose. We watched out our windows if we heard his deep bark. He of course was a friendly beast, but a strange man or unrecognized truck could get his defenses up and that deep bark meant take notice.
Back in 2010 however our neighbors lost their home to foreclosure and they were heartbroken as they tried to find a home for their wonderful Luke. But it was hard enough to find a nearby apartment for themselves, no landlord wanted to add a gigantic shaggy old uneutered male retriever to the mix.
We would have gladly taken him in as our dogs and cats knew him well. But that was when my discs blew in my neck and I was getting weaker daily. Surgery was going to come up and who knew how long the recovery would be?
Meanwhile Mary and Matt were purchasing their very own home in Hanson. They were planning on getting a dog. Much as they fantasied about a puppy, they knew logistically an adult dog would fit better with their long hours at work.
I know Matt had some hesitation with Luke's age. Plus, initially Luke deeply mourned the loss of his first family and neighborhood and it took a while for him to find comfort at their house. But he and Matt soon became best pals and they had a funny and fascinating game of chase the flighlight beam, every night after dark.
Luke was always thrilled when we came to visit, as we were friends of his youth. He also adored Matt's parents who insisted on spoiling him with treat and toys. He even became a boon companion of Orpheus their tempermental bunny.
We had the honor of flying both pets out over Christmas to their current apartment in Washington State. Luke adjusted to city life as calm as you please. Well after a few accidents trying to avoid stepping into the elevator! I think Mary secretly liked their days together while out there. In Hanson Matt was Lukes' favorite person, and Mary who always had pets, admitted to a little jealousy. But now that she works from their apartment she and Luke were daily companions.
A couple of days ago Mary called in tears. Luke, whose 12 year old giant body, had been slowly aging, suddenly developed a foot absess. Over the next few days it became clear that it was cancer, it was septic, and it was spreading.
They played with him in the vets office and held him while he was put to sleep. She called me in the hours leading up to his demiss. She knew what they were going to do. What they had to do. But she could not say it.
Between sobs she discussed various options and what she hoped for. Finally I interupted her. "Mary, I havent told you what to do in over 7 years. You are an adult and you make the best decisions for yourself. But I am telling you right now. Put that dog down." As she sobbed about not wanting to make that decision we talked about the ultimate responsiblity pet owners have. We talked about the dogs of her childhood and belvoed bunnies. About when to decide and when to hang on a little longer.
Both she and Matt knew what they had to do, and they did it together, with love and a deep grief.
So tonight my darling Mary and her Matt returned to an empty aprtment, thousands of miles from home. Thankfully his folks are out visiting this week and so they have a couple of shoulders to cry on, and loving distractions to boot.
But listening to my baby on the phone, her whole bosdy wracked with sobs, and not be able to hold her...
Tonight say a little prayer for my friend Luke- A great and wonderful dog who loved unconditionally, enjoyed a good game of chase the light, and lived to stretch out just under your feet and take a glorious nap. A good dog, a good companion, a true gentleman.
Back in 2010 however our neighbors lost their home to foreclosure and they were heartbroken as they tried to find a home for their wonderful Luke. But it was hard enough to find a nearby apartment for themselves, no landlord wanted to add a gigantic shaggy old uneutered male retriever to the mix.
We would have gladly taken him in as our dogs and cats knew him well. But that was when my discs blew in my neck and I was getting weaker daily. Surgery was going to come up and who knew how long the recovery would be?
Meanwhile Mary and Matt were purchasing their very own home in Hanson. They were planning on getting a dog. Much as they fantasied about a puppy, they knew logistically an adult dog would fit better with their long hours at work.
I know Matt had some hesitation with Luke's age. Plus, initially Luke deeply mourned the loss of his first family and neighborhood and it took a while for him to find comfort at their house. But he and Matt soon became best pals and they had a funny and fascinating game of chase the flighlight beam, every night after dark.
Luke was always thrilled when we came to visit, as we were friends of his youth. He also adored Matt's parents who insisted on spoiling him with treat and toys. He even became a boon companion of Orpheus their tempermental bunny.
We had the honor of flying both pets out over Christmas to their current apartment in Washington State. Luke adjusted to city life as calm as you please. Well after a few accidents trying to avoid stepping into the elevator! I think Mary secretly liked their days together while out there. In Hanson Matt was Lukes' favorite person, and Mary who always had pets, admitted to a little jealousy. But now that she works from their apartment she and Luke were daily companions.
A couple of days ago Mary called in tears. Luke, whose 12 year old giant body, had been slowly aging, suddenly developed a foot absess. Over the next few days it became clear that it was cancer, it was septic, and it was spreading.
They played with him in the vets office and held him while he was put to sleep. She called me in the hours leading up to his demiss. She knew what they were going to do. What they had to do. But she could not say it.
Between sobs she discussed various options and what she hoped for. Finally I interupted her. "Mary, I havent told you what to do in over 7 years. You are an adult and you make the best decisions for yourself. But I am telling you right now. Put that dog down." As she sobbed about not wanting to make that decision we talked about the ultimate responsiblity pet owners have. We talked about the dogs of her childhood and belvoed bunnies. About when to decide and when to hang on a little longer.
Both she and Matt knew what they had to do, and they did it together, with love and a deep grief.
So tonight my darling Mary and her Matt returned to an empty aprtment, thousands of miles from home. Thankfully his folks are out visiting this week and so they have a couple of shoulders to cry on, and loving distractions to boot.
But listening to my baby on the phone, her whole bosdy wracked with sobs, and not be able to hold her...
Tonight say a little prayer for my friend Luke- A great and wonderful dog who loved unconditionally, enjoyed a good game of chase the light, and lived to stretch out just under your feet and take a glorious nap. A good dog, a good companion, a true gentleman.
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