This morning on top of everything else...I had to take one of my beagles, Radar, to the animal shelter to have him put to sleep. He'd been very ill for the past month, losing almost 1/3 of his body weight. He'd earned his nickname, "Butterball" the hard way by always clearing his plate. My wife took this picture of him this morning, on his last walk home...
We had to put him "down" at 1 PM this afternoon. They kindly allowed us to stay when they gave him the shots...so that the last people he saw were those who loved him most...
From an email I just sent to a friend in California...
Radar was the "defender." I trained him to defend the house, the wife and the kids. He took his job so much to heart that when my wife and I would "play" he'd bite me because he was "protecting the mommy..." seriously, I have bit mark scars on my legs and ankles from where he'd bite me! Once, may years ago, when our eldest daughter decided that she'd pick a fist fight with Cheri, (and C and our daughter were wrestling on the ground...I had to grab him keep him from attacking our daughter...because he "was protecting the mommy").I miss him now...
He was a great dog, and did what I taught him to do...protect my family and home at all costs (he deterred at least 2 burglaries that I know of)...putting him down today was saddened me far beyond what I would ever have thought it would.
UPDATE: Here's a picture of Radar & Reilly, our other beagle in better days...
But I can't resist just one more...this is my favorite...
Reilly and Radar...
UPDATE Jan 21, 2014. I still miss him terribly...even more than 2 years later...
4 comments:
Wiping away tears, here. I am so sorry. They do have souls, and you will see him again some day, that I know for sure.
I hate when that happens, too. But, putting a dog down is so little compared to the years we have with them.
A couple of years ago, we lost both of our dogs in two months. They were both about 14. The vet suggested I pay them first so I would not have to stop at the desk on the way out. I stayed with the dog and was glad I did not have to stop.
Our decision to go "dogless" lasted almost 30 days. Then, we were off to the shelter.
Hi Rich,
My friend Tammy directed me to your blog...because she knows how I know what you are going through. My heart, too, belongs to a Beagle! Our Bailey is the joy of my husband's and my lives. As a lifelong dog lover I have had to say goodbye to too many special pets. My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. Just know that you now have a special furry angel in heaven and he is still watching over and protecting all of you. And his little body is no longer ailing, and he is healthy and whole and romping around the Rainbow Bridge, waiting for the day when you will be reunited again.
My deepest sympathies are with you!
Kristen
Thanks Rick & Kirsten,
I do appreciate it...Reilly our (formerly) "junior" beagle (he's only a month younger than Radar was) is really lonely...I'm gong to post a pic above for him as well.
I've started looking for another puppy, because I'm afraid that Reilly won't do well, he's never, ever been alone...
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