Sorry if this causes you pain, but I just have to write this to say good bye....
I won him in a Friends of the NRA raffle back in 98. Shortly afterwards I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's. coming back from Chemo, he would lay next to me, watching over me as I would rest. I hunted him a few times (Britany) but he watched over the family when I was at work.
In 2004, we found cancer in his right shoulder, and we were blessed, the vet was able to remove the tumor. Our last car we bought, we made sure he had his own seat to sit in. This last year, his health and energy was failing, he barely wanted to go out side, didn't want to go for rides, and his weight had dropped. Not bad for 105 year old (in dog years). Wednesday, he turned 15.
Yesterday morning I found him collapsed outside, next to the doggy door. Just like the TV commercials, he had fallen but was unable to get up. He had bloodied his paw tring to get up. He looked up with those sad eyes, help me dad. I carried him in the house, and made the apt with the vet. He rested, and I fed him a chicken breast for breakfast, I called work and took the day off. Finally the time came, he was able to walk to the front door, but I had to carry him to the car.
He just laid in the back seat, instead of sitting looking out the window as he used to do. I carried him into the vet, they had a blanket ready for him. I held him as he went to sleep. They left us alone as I said good bye, I kissed him on the to of his head, and removed his collar. And yes, I cried. It was a lonely ride home.
Thank you Beau for being my companion