Several weeks ago when my dog, Emma Belle, was very sick I rushed her to the vet's office as soon as they opened on Monday morning. The vet took her to the back for an X-ray and some more blood work to find out what the problem might be, and said she would call me later in the morning with some news. I fully expected to bring her home that afternoon. Instead she called to say it was very bad, and our options were essentially nil. I knew what had to be done, so I called K and we agreed to meet at the vet's office immediately. When we walked in the vet met us in private and told us Emma had passed away about 20 minutes earlier.
I always regretted that I wasn't with her when she passed. Yes, I'm one of those people who "humanized" my dog. I scratched her head, looked her in the eye and talked to her, asked her if she needed to go outside or was hungry, etc. We talked a lot, she and I. I had this haunting fear that she died alone on a cold, hard table, wondering "where is he?", or however you say that in dogspeak.
Last night on ABC Evening News, and also reported online, were the findings of a study that said dogs have cognitive abilities similar to that of a 2 year old child. They listen, look you in the eye, follow your eyes if you turn to look at something else, know when you don't feel well, can understand a vocabulary of over 100 words, etc. In other words, our humanizing efforts aren't wasted. They know when they're loved and can often develop telepathic communication skills with their owners. I guess you could say they're bilingual.
I'm glad to hear of this as it allows me to think she knew she was loved and that I had taken her to the vets office for treatment and was not abandoning her. She knew me better than that. :)
S
Mrs. Chatterbox and I have had to put down two precious dogs (family members) over the years and we were there to hold them at the end. The vet put in the IV and we played with the dogs until I turned to give the vet a signal. He pressed a button and our dogs slipped away in less than three seconds. I couldn't help feeling, both times, that this wasn't at all a bad way to go. I have no doubt that Emma Belle knew she was loved. Our dogs always liked going to the vet so going there wasn't a traumatic experience. I bet the same was true with your Emma.
ReplyDeleteStephen....that's how I put down Tara Belle, my dog before Emma. It felt good (for me at least) for her to depart knowing her best friend was right there with her. That's why I was so uncomfortable with Emma passing on as she did.
ReplyDeleteThis is a crushing post. I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteBe well,
Bobby
I've said it before and I'll say it again: it's puppy time.
ReplyDeleteYour feelings are certainly understandable--because you are a good person and obviously have a generous nature.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bobby.
ReplyDeleteBruce....we have several time constraints on us right now that would make it difficult to take on the responsibility for / training of a new puppy. That day WILL come, I promise, bit not quite yet. I can't imagine going indefinitely without "man's best friend".
S
my Shila (almost 17 now) understands me as well, even though she's a cat and not a dog. We communicate well. We don't need words.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, her right eye now seems to be getting the same infection as her left one (which had to be removed) has. I will probably take her to the vet tomorrow. This time we can't just remove the eye, this time it will be her death sentence....... :-(
Oh she knew. Every time they do a study animals turn out to be cleverer than we suspected. I'm convinced dogs will be voting within five years.
ReplyDeleteDamn - you made me cry again. I want a new puppy only like every other minute of every day. I figured it out - I have only spent 6 years of my 41 without a dog - I am a dog person and the house is "cold" without Emma.
ReplyDeleteBefore I walked in the door today I was thinking about a new puppy - I know we don't have the $ right now and the time isn't good either. But my heart normally doesn't give a sh%$ about what my head says. That's how I came to know and MARRY you "wink"
Sorry to hear about your doggy, it's always a bummer to have to have one put down or have one collapse and die. I had to have my 15 year old Rat Terrier put down last summer - not a fun thing at all. We ended up getting a yapping Chihuahua to take his place. At least it doesn't take - at least for me - near as long to get over a dog as it does a close loved one - real human!
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