In memory – Callie Rose

One of the hardest things we as pet owners have to do is put our beloved pets to final rest. For some reason, we think they will live forever — and they don’t.

Unfortunately, they can’t tell us where they hurt but if they stop eating or start limping or their zest for life wanes…it’s our responsibility to get them veterinarian care and if that doesn’t help…make the decision when to let them go before they are in pain with no quality of life.

As an adult, I have put two greyhounds to final rest. The first was always the most difficult but Painter had the best send off ever as he ate a greasy cheeseburger for his last supper (during his lifetime he suffered from pancreatitis and ate bland food), farted for 3 minutes, and then died peacefully in my arms upon injection on his dog bed in my bedroom. That was December 12, 2006; Painter was 12 ½.

While I thought that was the way to go from now on, Lily’s final resting happened in the vet’s office as she was in too much pain for me to bring her back home. Fortunately, she was on her dog bed and I laid down with her and she received one injection to calm her and ease some pain and ate a few cookies. I spent 10 minutes cuddling and telling her how much I loved her and then the vet gave her the final injection. That was August 6, 2010; Lily was 12 3/4.

It’s odd because while I cannot remember what I ate for dinner last night or what movie I saw last week, I remember these two events vividly.

In memory: Here are some dogs and one cat that I remember. Please forgive me if your pet’s name is omitted. PM Karyn Zoldan on Facebook and I will add to this list for 2012 and/or please add a comment and tell us about your pet.

To my greyhound friends

Alex
Annie of Green Valley
Basil

Added: BeBe – March 2012 – heart attack

Brin – 15 year old feisty broodie to the end
Captain Hook
Cheval
Cielo
Dexter

Added: Emily – March 2012 – spinal trauma

Gordon
Hoover
Jenny
JoJo
Luna Tulip
Mazzie
Maureen
Meg
Quinn Jose
Schroeder
Spike
Sunny D.
Tuna
Ty
Velvet
Zoey
Zeus

Other dogs
Bryn – Border Collie
Callie Rose – my god-dog
Ice – American Eskimo dog
Ivan – TPD K-9
Jake – Pomeranian
Jeg – DPS K-9
KiKi – Doberman
Lennox – BSL victim
Mazel – Samoyed
Puppy – miniature Bichon
Xan – Springer Spaniel

Cat

Added: Boo Boo Kitty – 15 years old / stroke
Sophie

Let’s take a moment to remember all the dogs and cats that were killed in 2012 because our society is not yet No-Kill; and the racing greyhounds that don’t make it across the most important finish line of all – a forever home.