Today is a day long wanted to be avoided, but, yes, here it is. The loss of a friend - a dog - but a beloved dog. Kip, Mothers 16.5 year olf Chow/Alsatian, is to be put down tonite - 8.5 h left. I've only known him for a year and a half, but that's far more time to have him lodged in my heart.
He has that hip thing that Alsatians get when they get to be elders. He can no longer walk rite and falls down all the time. We constantly have to pick him up. His poor body and spine has been twisted terribly to try to overcompensate for his failed hips. It is deeply harsh to watch him ragged around - fall - pick him up - and then limp again. He can no longer dump w/out being held up by his hindquarters. He can't whizz w/out walking doing it.
Although his mind is still sharp - tho' not his hearing or eyesite - his body has just failed him. It'll be impossible to deal w/out seeing his face and personality. So used to him. I've never been able to experience him in full bloom. Love to hear tearful stories of him young and racing and jumping and being a scamp. Days never to return.
And now his days are gone. This has been a deatchwatch week. Was @ her place on the weekend. Brought up Bolo and Captain Monday to share the house w. him this week. Wednesday Mothers came over to enjoy one last day @ my house (no longer will he be in the yard. No longer will the carpets be brought out to help him be steady as he tries to walk. No longer......). Stayed over last nite @ her place so I could max out on these last hours w. him. And now...
I'll leave for Mothers place after school today. I'llbe able toshare his last few hours w. Mothers and he rother dog Scout and Bolo. Sometime around 8, I guess. Today is just dreadful.
Life is so short.
