April 1986 —– Feb. 23 2000
Brittney Spaniel
Bo came into my life four years ago quite by accident.
My boyfriend and I had a beautiful one year old Black Lab named
Gunner and I had been asking to get another dog as a “buddy” for him.
We came across Bo when he was about ten years old not exactly a pup.
But there was something about him that immediately drew me to him.
He was just about the sweetest and most mellow Brittney Spaniel
I had ever seen. His big brown eyes absolutely sparkled with love.
At the time Bo was owned by an elderly gentleman who could
not properly care for him. He was given no exercise and
virtually no attention. He was overweight and had mild arthritis.
It broke my heart to think that this sweet dog would live out the
rest of his life neglected and lonely. My boyfriend and
I asked if we could have him and were told that we could.
Bo and our dog Gunner bonded immediately.
I have never seen two dogs take to each other so quickly.
Our vet gave Bo some medication for his arthritis and that
combined with daily walks and endless amounts of love from
Bo’s new family made a miraculous difference in him.
He lost weight the pain in his back legs went away and his tail
wagged almost all day long. When he looked at me it was as if
he was saying “Thank you so much for giving me a chance!”
He showed us his appreciation everyday by being the most loving
and affectionate dog I have ever seen. Anytime I would sit still for
more then a minute Bo was by my side tail wagging waiting
for a pat on the head.
In February 1999 we had another new addition to our family,
an 8 week old Golden Retriever named Bailey. Bo took to “mothering”
Bailey with such devotion and they bonded deeply.
My favorite picture is the two of them napping in the afternoon
sun together.
I relished my daily romps at the lake with my “boys”.
Everyone always commented how great Bo looked for his age.
I always gave the credit to lots of love. While Gunner and Bailey swam
in the lake Bo did his best “old man” impression by lounging in
the shallow water to cool off.
It is an image of him I will always remember.
Wednesday Feb 23 2000 was just like any other day for me
and my boys. I loaded them into the car and we headed for our
romp at the lake. They all played and swam and it was a great time.
Nothing seemed wrong until we got home. Bo began to gasp
and wheeze horribly. I grabbed to phone and called my vet.
His gasping was so loud that the vet technician heard him over
the phone and told me to bring him in right away.
There was something about the urgency in her voice that
led me to believe that my Bo-Bo may not be coming home with me.
I took Bo into the backyard so he could say good-bye to his
“brothers” Gunner and Bailey. I wanted to have one last look at
all three of them together. The combination of Bo’s gasping
and my tears had Gunner and Bailey realize something was wrong
and they tried to comfort Bo and I with kisses.
It was such a sad moment.
When I got to the vet he treated Bo with medication and oxygen.
I never left Bo’s side. I knew he had to be afraid and I wanted to
offer him some comfort. It was the least I could do to repay him
for the years of love he had shown me.
I called my boyfriend at work and he hurried to be at our side.
We sat on the floor with Bo stroking his head and whispering
in his ear. Even then his tail wagged lightly. I just looked at him
and thought of everything that made Bo special.
There was the way that his whole butt moved when he wagged
his short tail the way he dragged his food bowl into the corner
to eat the way he needed to touch me at all times
(if I moved he moved with me) the way he nearly fell over with
excitement to see me when I came home from work….
there were so many things that I loved about this dog.
After reviewing Bo’s X-rays I could see in the vet’s face that things
were not good. He explained that Bo had fluid in his lungs
and around his heart. He told us that Bo was struggling for every
breath and was probably in pain.
We were told about our options for treatment and warned that even
then it was probably only a 50/50 chance Bo would get better.
I looked at my little Bo lying there gasping for breath staring up
at me and knew that if I chose to try to treat him it was because
of my selfishness. I knew that he would never have the quality of life
he needed and it was wrong to prolong his suffering. It was at
that moment that Bo gently licked my hand and wagged his tail.
It was like he was telling us it was okay to let him go.
My hand was trembling like crazy as I signed the release form to
let the doctor end Bo’s suffering. I asked that I be allowed to
stay with him. I didn’t want him to be afraid.
I wanted mine to be the last face Bo saw.
I leaned over Bo stroking his head and kissing his soft ears
as the doctor gave him the shot. Bo was looking at me with his big
trusting brown eyes breathing deeply. Then there were two quick
breaths and his eyes closed.
It was quiet. “He’s gone,” the doctor whispered.
I was crying so loudly I hardly heard him but I knew my Bo had
crossed the Rainbow Bridge. My boyfriend and I sat in the exam
room with Bo for about a half an hour. I didn’t want to leave,
I knew I would never see my Bo-Bo again. I was so hard to walk
out of that room. Leaving the vet with Bo’s empty leash and collar
was such a hollow and devastating feeling.
I take comfort in knowing that we gave Bo a loving family the
last years of his life. He was so happy and so very loved.
I know that he is in a place that is warm and he is running and playing.
I will always miss him and I will always love him.
His “brothers” and I will think about him everyday.
Bo we will see you again…..take care until then.
We love you so much.
Thank you for soft kisses and for warming my feet at night.
Goodbye sweetie.
Your “mommy”,
Lori
| Bo - Bo |