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Shady and Chloe had settled their differences and become |
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Despite all her wonderful adjustments, I always knew that Shady was not a truly stable dog. But I do believe that she was the very best she ever could have been in my care. With the onset of the second year of chemo, she began demonstrating behaviors that ended her contact with all acquaintances and strangers. Friendly, outstretched hands now seemed to bring back fears of her being beaten or abused. Yet with "her friends" - those who loved and never feared her - she was the same outrageously silly, joyful Shady, always good for tons of kisses and never-ending games of "Kong". |
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But I was watching her unravel. She became increasingly anxious when I would leave. Some inner torture I couldn't touch was eating her up, and she began to attack Chloe for no reason. Five minutes later, it was as if it never happened. I couldn't let my 12 year old die in an outburst of uncontrolled rage. |
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My devoted friend and vet came to the house. We played with Shady - her last moments on earth in the joy of Kong. I saw in her eyes that she knew she was leaving soon. I laid her quilt in a brilliant patch of sun. Shady came, and of her own volition, laid down upon it. In my arms, she laid her trust, as always. And amid my tears, she left -- she was gone in a second, to a long-deserved rest. � |
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I will never own a dog like Shady again. Her brilliance was unmatched; her will to live, heroic. Despite the obstacles of starvation, abuse, cancer, and chemotherapy, she fought every inch of the way to be the best she could be. If a dog can be a person's hero, she is mine. I will forever be in awe of this magnificent animal. I will forever be grateful for the life she shared with me ... my Shady. I'll see you again, girl. |
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