One of the things that sold me on Joel's eHarmony profile three years ago were "the things [he] couldn't live without." His camera and his dog were in the top five. Brandy is his technically parents' dog.
He just got back from the vet's office. He went with his mom and dad to say goodbye.
Brandy came to them when she was 6, a rescue from the Sound Shore Animal League. Her puppyhood wasn't easy, but she learned to trust her new family and loved them unconditionally. She was a little aloof with strangers, but for me, she came around and let me love on her, too.
Her health was never ideal, with a little breed-related hip trouble and a kidney disorder that was pretty easily managed with diet and medication. She was plucky and energetic, though. She never whined or seemed to be in pain, though she really started slowing down after her 15th birthday. She was fading, very slowly, and for those who saw her every day, it wasn't immediately obvious that her time was almost upon us.
Joel hadn't seen Brandy for over three weeks between the wedding and the honeymoon, and when he saw her again recently, it was a painful revelation. She's been such a good girl for so long, but the last three days have been so hard. She started standing like a tripod lately, refusing to put weight on one of her front legs. The vet diagnosed her with bone cancer in the middle of last week, and at the age of almost 16, putting her through the required amputation would have been really, really selfish.
She had a wonderful decade with Joel's family, and they wanted to keep her comfortable for as long as they could. In the last 72 hours, Brandy did everything she could to tell us it was her time to go. This afternoon, they let her fly. We're hunkered down at home on a rainy Saturday with Bella, Fred and Ollie sticking close to Joel, like furry little grief magnets.
The pet-lovers here have probably all heard the saying, "I will try to be the person my dog thinks I am."
Please honor Brandy by giving Gunner, Jackson, Esme, Maggie Magoo, Zoe, Molly, Joey, Sally, Tyrone, Sampson, Casper, Butters, Rosalita, Teenie, Beaumont, Ivy, Hani, Harley and the Zseller feline duo a little extra lovin' this weekend. Our animal companions give us everything they have, all of their trust for their whole lives. Trust was hard for Brandy, but she gave it to me willingly. Today, for her, I will try to be the person she thought I was.
Safe passage to the Rainbow Bridge, Brandy. We will miss you.
7 comments:
I'm so sorry. I'm glad that Brandy is not in pain anymore, but I'm so sorry for your loss. All of my boys got lots of hugs. Hugs to you and yours as well.
I'm so sorry for your loss. There isn'nt much I can say other than I understand the grief you feel, havng lost many furry companions myself over the years. Thinking of you and wishing you well.
Sally is curled up in Gaby's lap right now, being pushed around like a rag doll. I think that counts as extra love.
Sending love to you and Joel.
Oh, so sad. Maybe part of being the people they think we are is putting them out of their misery when we have the power to do so -- I think Joel and his parents lived up to that.
Sending love to you guys too. I will feed the new goldfish an extra flake in Brandy's honor.
I concur with Gwen. When we took Shana in to be put down Dr. Fournier told us that we were "giving her the best gift an owner can give a pet." So true. My sympathies to Joel, Lyse and Marty. I know how hard this is to do and to hear this on the one year anniversary of having to put Asia down is especially sad for us. Sending our love...
I will show as much enthusiasm for each person I meet today as Gunner does for us when we come home each evening.
Brandi lives on in our hearts....
Oh okay, now I'm crying. Sending you and Joel much much love.
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