July 1 1983 ——– Feb. 16 1994
Lab / Vizsla
It was a beautiful spring day in April of this year.
I was sitting on the picnic table enjoying the weather.
The sun was shining the birds were singing and the sky was
a beautiful blue. But my heart was sad. I missed my special companion,
my dog Nuggett. We had spent many hours together outside.
Sometimes Nuggett sat on the picnic table with me; other times she was
rolling in the grass chewing on her bone or basking in the sun.
Spring was Nuggett’s favorite time of the year.
For a fleeting moment I saw Nuggett again. She was well not ill.
Her golden fur glistened in the sunlight. Her eyes sparkled with
joy and love. She could still run like a deer and she was
beckoning me to come and play with her.
Tears filled my eyes and my heart ached; a pain greater than any
other and one that will never go away.
My thoughts returned to another spring-like day February 16 1994.
It only lasted several days but it was a special gift from Heaven for my Nuggett.
God had answered one of my prayers. Nuggett had been a very special dog;
always by my side and always there to comfort and watch over me.
She was my very own “special angel”. Nuggett had battled liver
disease all through the winter. Over fifty trips had been made to the vet
in attempts to fight this illness.
There were many sleepless nights in which I stayed up with Nuggie,
trying to comfort her and re-assure her that I would always be by her side
to help her with her suffering. The rest of my life was put on hold.
Nothing else mattered. Over and over again I prayed.
I asked the Lord for a miracle; to make Nuggett well again.
When I had to face the reality that Nuggett might not make it
I prayed for Nuggett to see Spring for one last time.
She deserved it. She had tried so hard to fight her illness.
Nuggie gave the best she had. She endured much pain and suffering
but not once did she complain. The illness in itself was quite a battle.
The accompanying side effects of the medications and the severe cold
weather added to her struggle. Nuggett had lost over twenty pounds
and was getting weak. The time was drawing near when I would have to
make the most dreaded decision in my life.
I could not bear the thought of life without Nuggett.
Yet I had promised her that I would not let her suffer needlessly.
Until I was informed of the laboratory test results on Valentine’s Day
I had high hopes that Nuggett would get better.
I was willing to give her every opportunity to fight this cancer.
The cost was of no concern.
Our veterinarians had done everything possible to help her.
They gave her such special care and love but it was not to be.
It was time to keep my promise to Nuggett.
I had to do what was right for her.
It wasn’t right to let her suffer anymore just so I wouldn’t have to.
The end was near but I wanted to spend some special time with her.
She had been my beloved friend for over ten years.
No matter where I was or what I was doing Nuggie was always by my side.
When I had to leave the house she would always give me a
“kiss” good-bye. When I returned she would greet me with a “smile”
and her whole body wiggled as she wagged her tail.
The last several days with Nuggett were very special.
I sang all our favorite songs to her. I played her music box over and over again.
Many times I broke down and cried.
Nuggett snuggled ever so close and licked my tears away.
Here was a creature considered by many to lack human qualities putting
aside all her pain and anguish to comfort me.
Nuggett did get her Spring. God had not failed her.
On the morning of February 16th it was 48 degrees.
The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day!
The snow had melted and there was a warm breeze in the air.
I helped Nuggett down the back porch steps to go outside.
She put her nose up in the air and her tail went up.
It appeared that temporarily she had forgotten about her illness
for a moment the sparkle was back in eyes.
WE walked slowly around the yard. Nuggett stumbled a few times
but continued our walk I sat down with her on the steps.
I was in no hurry to go back inside.
I wanted Nuggett to enjoy Spring one last time!
The sun shown down on us and for awhile we were at peace.
There is no greater moment that that of spending cherished time with such a
devoted companion. As Nuggett laid her head on my lap she looked up at me.
Her eyes were filled with love.
I thanked her for all the special times she had given me.
Her unconditional love helped me through a very difficult time of my life.
I was recovering from a second back surgery and was suffering from severe
depression when my husband brought Nuggie home.
She was just a pup and had been dumped out in the country.
After getting Nuggett my whole outlook on life changed.
I called her “Golden Nuggett” for her color and because she was the most
precious gift I had ever received.
Nuggett’s breathing was very labored now and I knew the time had come.
I carried her up the steps to go inside. The trip to the vet went all too fast.
I knew that I would never make this trip again with Nuggett.
I wrapped her in her blanket and held her so close as we
made our last journey together.
I struggled with the thought of putting her “down”.
How would I go on without her?
Our vet listened to Nuggett’s heart and lungs.
He confirmed my worst fears. “Jan it is time”.
Nugget did not even flinch when the vet gently put the needle into her led.
He talked to her softly and told her she had fought a good fight
Now it was time to rest. I held Nuggett close and told her how much
I loved her. She looked up at me with her beautiful soft brown eyes.’
She did not look scared but rather peaceful.
She also knew it was time to go. Nuggie gave me her last kiss “good-bye”.
Death came gently for her. I had kept my promise.
This was the last gift I could give to her. It was a gift of love for my cherished friend.
After all these years Nuggett is still with me no matter where I go.
I think of her often and tears still come to my eyes.
There is a perfect vision of her in my heart. When I call her name
she will be there to help me though my sadness.
She was my special angel while on earth.
I know she truly is an angel now in Heaven.
She continues to watch over me!
Jan
| Golden Nuggett |