It was a week before we went on vacation. We noticed you were not eating and you were not your playful self. On Tuesday, I brought you to the vet. He said that the kidney disease you had been fighting for a year was getting worse. He gave you IV fluids and kept you for two days.
He called on Wednesday to tell us that you were not responding to the IV fluids and your kidneys had shut down completely. We had to make a decision as to what to do for you. He said we could take you home for a few days, but you would not get better. He said he could keep you on the IV fluids while we were away, but you might slip away while we were gone and I did not want that to happen. If you are to make that journey to the Bridge, Mommy and Daddy wanted to be with you. He showed us all the technical numbers, showing us how sick you were.
Daddy and I decided it was time to send you to the Bridge that Thursday. We held you, we kissed you. Oh my sweet Odie, even when we knew your little spirit had flown to the Bridge, we still petted and kissed you. Leaving you there, knowing we would not see your sweet face, or feeling your soft fur again. Going away a few days later was even harder, but we knew when we came home, we could bring you home with us.
Time went on and Mommy and Daddy were very sad. We thought about you ever day, and how lonely the house was without the patter of Cocker paws. A few days after Thanksgiving, Daddy decided that since we were so sad, we should try to find another little Cocker who needed a Mom and Dad to take care of him. A week later, we found a 9 week old Cocker who stole my heart, mended it and gave it back to me filled with love.
I miss you so much Odie, but every time I hold Pluto, I think of all the love I have to give and Pluto is so small and needs us, and I think that you sent him to us. He cannot replace you and never will, but he makes me happy and reminds me that I once had another little Cocker to love, and will always love.
I hope you are happy at Rainbow Bridge and have found Caesar to play with. No one could love you like we did and no one can miss you like we do. Be happy my little boy until we meet again.
Love and puppy kisses to our boy,
| Carol Chwal |