A beagle showed up in the parking lot
of a restaurant I worked at.
He was hungry. He hung around the
kitchen door and the staff
would give him food.
He was very shy and afraid.
After a few days, the boss said he had to go,
and go he did—home with me.
I named him Fred. Fred was about 2 years old
(we think) and lived with us
for about 10 years.
He had so much love in his little heart and
was loved in return.
He loved to “go fishing”
in the back yard.
I would tie a wash rag onto my line and
cast it out in the yard.
Fred would grab it and
the battle would begin.
If I could not go fishing,
I could at least catch Fred!
We had so much fun.
He delighted in nosing me awake
in the middle of the night
to get his ears scratched.
He had to have his pats and hugs,
and he got them! Fred had
good vet care and his seizure
came as a complete surprise.
One Christmas Day, just as
we were setting down to our
Christmas dinner,
Fred went into a convulsion.
He came out of it for a short time
and then convulsed again.
This time, it did not stop.
After 45 minutes of frantic calling
we finally found a Vet
who would come in on Christmas day and
rushed him there.
She was unable to stop the seizure and
I made the hardest decision of my life.
We brought him home and
buried him in the back yard.
The pain I felt that day
is still there.
I cannot get past it.
Did I miss something?
Was it something I did not do for him
that caused this?
I feel so guilty about Freds death.
I still think of Fred and
miss him so much. I don’t know
why I am writing this,
but maybe it will help me get
rid of the pain I feel for
what I had to do to my best friend.
I miss you Fred, and
I am so sorry for what
I had to do to you.
You are always in my heart,
and always will be.
You were a good boy and
I love you so much.
Life has not been the same
since your passing.
Godspeed my friend.
I hope we can be together again.
Until then, run and
play with all my frinds;
Pickles, Madison, Terry,
Mickey, Buttons and General
(if he gets there before I do).
They were all good dogs, but Fred,
you were special.
You were a good boy and
I still love you and miss you.
I am old and tired now,
and my time on this earth is short.
I will see you guys soon.
I pray that we can all
be together again.
Dear Lord, may it be so.
With all my love,
Daryl
| Daryl |