It might seem odd that Monty has only been gone a couple of days, yet here I am writing about him. I guess it helps me deal with the pain, not much chance I’ll forget him, but I might forget what it felt like….this day.
We adopted Monty from Homeward Bound in May of 2004. We came out that day to look at a couple of dogs, but we knew when they let Monty out, he would be the one to come home with us. I had arrived with our girls to the ranch before my fiancé’. When he arrived he said “Which one are we looking at, mom?”
I pointed to the massive mound of hair that was Monty and said “That guy over there.” Brian looked shocked, as I am somewhat of a neat freak, he shook his head and said “All that hair, you’ll complain all the time……. but he is very handsome.” We left with Monty that day, and never regretted taking him, hair and all.
Monty was a big fellow. After a walk, or visits to the dog park, he’d limp for a couple of days after. In time, we knew he had arthritis, so it was no shock when the vet confirmed and he started Monty on a treatment plan. Little did we know that only a few weeks later, a follow up visit for inflammation of the shoulder would confirm a large tumor. That same night, during surgery, we would get a call that would send all of us into shock, massive tumor, too invasive to remove. I have tears now just sharing with you all, but somehow I know you all understand. We lost Monty, then and there. I’ll never forget my last look into his trusting eyes.
He was my buddy. He was Mr. Boo, my confidant. Every day I greeted him with a “come here and I’ll kiss you right on the lips.” He was part of our family. Every day began and ended with Monty, saying Good Morning, Saying Goodnight. Tucking him into his dog bed with his Scooby Doo blanket. Times when my daughter would climb into his dog bed with him, just to take a short nap, or rub his tired feet and legs.
He didn’t like to be outside, only to eat, or run at the dog park. If we left him out one minute longer than he wanted, he would “knock” on the sliding glass door with his paw until he was returned to his warm dog bed.
He wanted to be with us, always.
I have never felt so many emotions at once, guilt, pain, anger. I would say the best thing for me was to be allowed to be in the room with him after he passed, if only to hold his body and give him one more kiss on the face. To thank him for the last two years, for being the best “first dog” my children had, for being a loving friend to my stepson, for bringing so much love and memories to our home.
We are so thankful for having Monty as part of our family for the last 2 years. There is a huge empty spot in our living room, where his dog bed remains. I feel best when remembering that he no longer feels pain, he no longer suffers. He knew love and family before he passed, and, we got that much and more from him.
We know there is a special place in heaven for Goldens; our Golden Monty is there too; watching over us, as my daughters tell me. We will see you again my friend, just this side of Rainbow Bridge.
With love for Monty,
The Harbert-Breech Family