November 7th, around 9:15a.m we had to put down our beloved 8 year old shetland sheepdog. Still so young and taken so soon, he suffered from Cauda Equina Syndrome, a rather debilitating and painful thing to go thru. If you don’t know what it is, look it up online, they have lots of info that will answer all questions.
The decision was made early this morning when Toby took a turn for the worse. He had gotten to the point where he could not get up at all (i think he may have become paralyzed in his hind end) and he wouldn’t eat and was throwing up. By the time I got to my parents house he could hardly hold his head up. What was gut wrenching to see was the german shepherd, Hogan, nudge and kiss Toby,
saying his goodbyes.
I wrapped Toby up in the towel after all the goodbyes had been said and took him to the vet. On the way there, I held his head up so he could enjoy one last car ride, he had a calm look to him, I would almost say a smile as the sun shined on his head. Once we got to the vet and they started injecting him, he just looked into my eyes as if to tell me it was alright and everything would be ok, we shared one amazing moment of peace together I will never forget. His eyes started to droop, he tried his damnest to keep his eyes locked with mine, I told him it was ok to let go, how much I loved him and also to tell Astro I said hi.
His eyes closed and he stopped breathing…moments later his heart stopped. He was gone. That little ball of fluff I brought home 8 years ago, was no more.
I’m gonna miss summers with you, getting more and more excited with the count of three, when I would turn on the hose and you would make a mad dash to the end of that hose to which you found pure bliss from sticking your face and mouth directly in the spray of water from the sprinkler.
I’ll also miss you come winters too, how you would hop thru the snow also how you would
scoop the snow with your nose.
Every holiday they make peeps for,
I’ll be thinking about you then too!
I’ll forever remember you
for the memories that made us all laugh:
*Lettin me know my breath wasn’t the greatest by slappin a paw across my mouth as I was talking
*When you REALLY wanted that sucker from mom.
*That silly little noise you would make
when you would ‘whisper’ for a treat.
*How you and I would howl at each other
and not too mention gettin those ‘drumsticks’.
*Car rides sitting on my lap.
*Tearin ass thru the hallway
to shut the door on you only
to have it flung back at me
in one big leap!
*How you insisted on wiping your face on ANYTHING! Like, a new couch, or even a new bedspread…and don’t forget sticking your head into our shoes for a better sniff.
There are so many more memories I have of you good buddy, that we all have. You had a personality that was full of life and charisma…you were a charmer too. Everyone who met you, fell in love with you.
So, I end this on a happy note, cuz yes, we are upset…but we are going to celebrate your life and all the joy and laughter you gave us on your stay here on earth. You’re onto bigger and better things, and I’ll see ya one day pal.
I love you buddy.
We all miss you,,
| Toby |
| 7, Nov 2008 |
| Starlah |