Friday, January 30, 2009

Goodbye, Rusty. You were much beloved.

My wife and I did one of the hardest things we have ever had to do this afternoon. We took our beloved Corgi Rusty to the vet's to be put to sleep. He was 15+ years old and had grown infirm. He had arthritic neuropathy of the hind quarters, causing him to stagger and fall, first one way then the other. It was difficult for him to stand once he fell over. Plus he had become urine incontinent. We hated to end his life because he was still alert and still had his hearing and sight -- he just couldn't walk any more.

Rusty was much beloved and was a truly great dog. A Corgi is an intelligent and affectionate breed. We had 15 wonderful years with him. Those of you who read my poetry know that he was the subject of many of my poems, especially our late night walks together. Rusty will be sorely missed.

Goodbye, Rusty, old fellow, you were a fantastic dog. We grieve for you...

3 comments:

Janet Ann Collins said...

I'm sorry, Harry. I've had to do the same thing in the past, so I know how hard it it. And grief is grief, whether for a human or a pet.

Harry Gilleland said...

Thank you, Janet, for your comment. It is hard, to say the least. I appreciate your sympathizing with us.

linda.likes.chocolate said...

=(
I had wondered off-and-on how Rusty was faring in his advancing years.

Sorry to hear that it came to that. There is never a good way, or a good time, to have to do it.

(This is dear daughter's account that she *had* to set up for her social studies class last year. I'm "borrowing" it. LOL)

EM