I was just writing a post to Kitkatsue about her kitty dying and I thought of a letter I wrote to Jean(MIL) when she had her dog put to sleep 2 months after her husband passed away. I thought I would share.
Stormie, her dog had awful arthritis and couldn't walk well and she was 13 years old. Which is pretty old for a siberian husky. To give you some background. Half moon lake is a cabin we have and Stormie never played with toys ever. She had accidents in the house many times in her last 6 months.
Dear Jean,
I just want you to know how happy I am to be in doggy heaven. It is great up here! My legs work fine, and I only go to the bathroom outdoors, just like I used to, before I got real old. Also, I can hear again! The other barking dogs here are all very friendly.
The views are spectacular. I can see all of the state, Half Moon Lake, and all points in between. I will watch the work going on in our back yard... it is shaping up and will stay beautiful and dry now. At the end of my time there, I could not see the yard or anything very clearly. My mind is inquisitive again, too. I am sticking my nose in to all the new nooks and crannies here. Exploring used to be a big part of my life. Remember me tugging you in all directions on our walks, except for the last year or so. And I like being real mobile, nimble on all four feet, again. I want to thank the whole family for taking care of me for 13 great years (well, really, 12 great years---my last year of real advanced age was not so great, for me at least).
You may think you rescued me years ago after I was abandoned, but that is not quite right. You see, I selected you guys, not the other way around, because I knew you were a great family that would take really good care of me! And did you ever take really good care of me!! Really, really good as you would say. Especially you, Jean. You were the one who usually put my food in my bowl, took care of my water, too. That is all I ever really needed. And you kept the bowls clean, because you knew that was important to me. You were my very best special friend. Thanks.
You took me to the vet for my check ups, and had me fixed when things went bad on me. You nursed me through everything. Even though you laughed at me, you knew how stupid I felt walking around running into doors, and you were able to comfort me through difficult times.
The affection shown to me by Bill and Marcie was awesome. I felt like their sister, except I liked them so much I could never fight with them like some sisters do sometimes. I just tried to return their affection to thank them for cuddling with me on the floor and petting me so gently and stuff like that. I know they loved me so much, even when I got old and even though I could not show them the attention the way I did when I was younger and full of it, like I am again now.
But you, Jean, meant the most to me because you did the most for me and we spent the most time together. You really favored me with so much care and love for 13 years. I know I was helpful to you when it was just the two of us at the end of my time, and how glad I am for that---just to be able to repay you a little bit for all that you did for me. How many piles of my poop did you pick up? How many thousands of times did you open or close a door to let me in or out? How many bazillion hairs did you sweep up? How many hours did you spend vacuuming? Thank you so, so, so much. (Regarding the poop, I apologize for my little problem in the house--- but I just got so excited that, well... you know.)
There is NO way I could possibly thank you enough for the help and joy you gave to me during our 13 years together. I was sorry I had to go when I did, but I was so old. I had no energy anymore. It was definitely time. Like everyone said, I was having way more bad days than good, many more bad hours than good hours. I really was not happy at the end, and now I am happy again. Remember me with a smile on your face because that is the way I remember you and Ken and Marcie and Bill. I have a big smile on my face now. I get hamburgers any time I want. My head is way out the window when I go riding around with my furry pals. There are no fences or leashes here. I can go for walks often. Life is great again! It really was time for me to go, and I thank you for your help in making it dignified and easy.
I am with Ken now, he can take me for walks and cuddle with me. I will even fetch a ball(believe it or not!) once in a while for him.
I love you, miss you and always will.
Stormie
Stormie, her dog had awful arthritis and couldn't walk well and she was 13 years old. Which is pretty old for a siberian husky. To give you some background. Half moon lake is a cabin we have and Stormie never played with toys ever. She had accidents in the house many times in her last 6 months.
Dear Jean,
I just want you to know how happy I am to be in doggy heaven. It is great up here! My legs work fine, and I only go to the bathroom outdoors, just like I used to, before I got real old. Also, I can hear again! The other barking dogs here are all very friendly.
The views are spectacular. I can see all of the state, Half Moon Lake, and all points in between. I will watch the work going on in our back yard... it is shaping up and will stay beautiful and dry now. At the end of my time there, I could not see the yard or anything very clearly. My mind is inquisitive again, too. I am sticking my nose in to all the new nooks and crannies here. Exploring used to be a big part of my life. Remember me tugging you in all directions on our walks, except for the last year or so. And I like being real mobile, nimble on all four feet, again. I want to thank the whole family for taking care of me for 13 great years (well, really, 12 great years---my last year of real advanced age was not so great, for me at least).
You may think you rescued me years ago after I was abandoned, but that is not quite right. You see, I selected you guys, not the other way around, because I knew you were a great family that would take really good care of me! And did you ever take really good care of me!! Really, really good as you would say. Especially you, Jean. You were the one who usually put my food in my bowl, took care of my water, too. That is all I ever really needed. And you kept the bowls clean, because you knew that was important to me. You were my very best special friend. Thanks.
You took me to the vet for my check ups, and had me fixed when things went bad on me. You nursed me through everything. Even though you laughed at me, you knew how stupid I felt walking around running into doors, and you were able to comfort me through difficult times.
The affection shown to me by Bill and Marcie was awesome. I felt like their sister, except I liked them so much I could never fight with them like some sisters do sometimes. I just tried to return their affection to thank them for cuddling with me on the floor and petting me so gently and stuff like that. I know they loved me so much, even when I got old and even though I could not show them the attention the way I did when I was younger and full of it, like I am again now.
But you, Jean, meant the most to me because you did the most for me and we spent the most time together. You really favored me with so much care and love for 13 years. I know I was helpful to you when it was just the two of us at the end of my time, and how glad I am for that---just to be able to repay you a little bit for all that you did for me. How many piles of my poop did you pick up? How many thousands of times did you open or close a door to let me in or out? How many bazillion hairs did you sweep up? How many hours did you spend vacuuming? Thank you so, so, so much. (Regarding the poop, I apologize for my little problem in the house--- but I just got so excited that, well... you know.)
There is NO way I could possibly thank you enough for the help and joy you gave to me during our 13 years together. I was sorry I had to go when I did, but I was so old. I had no energy anymore. It was definitely time. Like everyone said, I was having way more bad days than good, many more bad hours than good hours. I really was not happy at the end, and now I am happy again. Remember me with a smile on your face because that is the way I remember you and Ken and Marcie and Bill. I have a big smile on my face now. I get hamburgers any time I want. My head is way out the window when I go riding around with my furry pals. There are no fences or leashes here. I can go for walks often. Life is great again! It really was time for me to go, and I thank you for your help in making it dignified and easy.
I am with Ken now, he can take me for walks and cuddle with me. I will even fetch a ball(believe it or not!) once in a while for him.
I love you, miss you and always will.
Stormie
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