This past week, Prancer, a very good dog, passed away. My wife and I were felt terrible to see him go, but we were there when the Kirby Family Vet staff ushered him into the Great Beyond.
Note: I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Kirby Family Vet staff, including Dr. Holly Pappas, for their tender treatment of Prancer and the old humans who cried all over their lobby and examination room.
When we looked in his eyes, the trust he emoted and gave us, that he loved us was so powerful it brought tears to our eyes. As he slipped into the sleep prior to death, we continued to speak to him and gently rub his head and tummy.
“He’s gone, I felt his heart stop,” said my wife, restrained sobs wracking her body. Of course, we asked ourselves, “Why didn’t we wait longer to take this action?” I spent some time wrestling that guilt and pushing it out of my brain. There’s always a little guilt with a death. Did you do enough? Did you love enough? But it’s, like a co-worker at work said, “The circle of life.” Prancer wasn’t himself, his dementia, constant anxiety, and difficulty breathing…the tiredness that forced him to sleep so much, kept us on course with sadness and Death.
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| James (red shirt) and Prancer as a puppy |
As I walk around the house now, so empty, I can imagine him sitting in his perch, watching us like a benevolent king surveying his domain, his kind gaze urging us to join him on the couch. I remember his prancing walk, the little jaunty step he had, that earned him his name. I remember how he would escort my wife to the restroom first, before then taking the time to relieve himself. And, if she was going #2, well, doggone it, he was, too.
It drove us nuts, the adherence to the rituals for meals (he wouldn’t eat without her present, although he’d take me as a poor substitute).
My daughter wrote the following on her Facebook page, and I thought I’d share it here, so when need be, I can visit the little puppy who brought so many smiles to our faces for a decade and a half.
Aida Rosalia wrote:
The loss of a pet is always hard, but Prancer was our baby, our poochito. He was Prancito, Prancito Bear, boobooshita, and of course, just our sweet Prancer. He was the puppy to help mend a heartbreak, share in your joy, and relax together on a lazy day.
He was always with one of us – unless he was running down the hall away from us because he had managed to get a piece of contraband. I don’t know how to sum up fifteen years, except to say that every moment with him was special.There’s nothing like the love of a dog, and Prancer was proof of that. After fifteen wonderful years, being there for each of us, making sure we never felt alone, my parents were there for him in his final moments so he could finally rest fully at peace, knowing he had done his duty as a dog.I’ll miss him forever, and we will all carry his love with us eternally.Thank you Prancer.
Went for a walk in the dream world: 8/18/2022
Until we meet again, Prancer, save a lick for me. This prayer gave me some comfort this week…
I give you this, one thought to keep.
I am with you still, I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow…I am the gentle autumn rain.When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the bark you hearI am the soft fur you feelwhen you let your hands touch my soulI am with you still, in each new dawn.Adapted from a Native American Prayer
Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure
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