Just a dog.

Just a Dog - link to Podcast

As a family we had to make the painful but necessary decision to put our beautiful dog Bella to sleep a few weeks ago.  Her last day was quite special really.  A whole chicken for lunch, ice cream for desert  and she was allowed to put her whole head out the window of the car.  We loved her, but she was "just a dog".     

So our beloved puppy Bella died a few weeks ago and we loved her dearly.  And by that I mean dearly!  it was expensive to love this little bundle of cuteness.  She was 13 years old and we have adored her for every second of her existence. 

But she aged and started to have a few issues.  She had urinary issues, she went deaf, had skin irritations and started having regular little seizures where she just twitched and zoned out for a few seconds.  She went to the vet almost every week and was on tablets, special food and had creams for her skin, eye drops, ear drops and of course worm and tick treatments.   All this along with regular grooming and a dedicated team of protectors to gather around her when a thunder storm came and she went absolutely mental.  This was one seriously spoiled and mollycoddled dog.

So the heartbreaking decision was made to have her put down and my two daughters who she lives with took on the task of doing this.  The lovely Sue was too traumatized to have anything to do with this process so the girls basically sobbed down the phone at me for a whole week before the deed was done. 

They both took the day off and made sure Bella’s last day was fabulous.  They took her to the park and she ran around for ages.  Then they let her feast on a whole roast chicken and for desert she had a bowl of soft serve ice cream.  She was so happy!!

After this she was taken home and the vet people came and let the girls say good bye on the bed with her for an extended time.  She then got an injection that sent her to sleep.  It was hilarious, apparently as she snored like a train and blew bubbles from her nose.  The girls laughed through their tears.  Then the second injection stopped her heart and she passed away peacefully.  It was beautifully done and the girls, although so sad to lose her were very comforted by the way she died. 

I loved Bella and she snuggled and played with me and was delightful, but I balked at the special treatment she was given and the costs.  I recall saying, She’s just a dog.  Well I read this poem recently and maybe now as I reflect, I realize I still have a bit to learn about life.

 

JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,”
or “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.”

They don’t understand the distance travelled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for “just a dog.”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,”
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been shared by
“just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you probably understand
phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”

“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.

Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog”
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that its’ not “just a dog”
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
“just a man” or “just a woman.”

So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog,”
just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”

~Unknown Author~

Bless ya,

Bryce