September 20, 2009
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Saying goodbye to the family pet
This is Harpo. He was born in June of 1993. He was given to me about 2 months later. Thursday I took him to the vet and they put him to sleep. That was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.He was a standard dachshund, and lived up to the breed reputation. He got into lots of trouble as a puppy, listened only when it suited him and could dig out of any fenced in yard. He had such a deep bark, he sounded much bigger than he was. And we spoiled him rotten! We named him after Harpo Marx, because his favorite thing when he was little was to walk around with a squeeky toy in his mouth.
He slept in the bed with my husband and I for the past 16 years. When he was smaller, he liked to snuggle up against me. As he got older and bigger, he stretched out to try to touch us both at the same time. Eventually he was just a bed hog! We have a king size bed and there were mornings I woke up so close to the edge it’s amazing I didn’t fall off!
He never did have any real back problems, but his neck bothered him off and on. Mostly he was a pretty healthy and happy dog. He loved our cats and sometimes I think he wasn’t real sure if he was a dog or a cat.
In the last year or two we could really see the effects of aging on him. He wasn’t walking as well, or playing as much. He eventually couldn’t manage the front step into the door, so I would pick him up and put him inside. Greg built a ramp for the back door and we were talking about having one built for the front. Sometimes his back legs would just give way and he would suddenly be sitting instead of standing. And then he started whining a lot. Finally he wasn’t eating well without a lot of encouragement, so it was time.
I chose to stay with Harpo while the procedure was done. I hadn’t planned to do it, but in the end it just seemed like the right thing to do. The vet was very gentle and kind. Once he had his shot, the vet and tech left the room and I stayed with him until I couldn’t feel his heart beating anymore. I hope that gave him some comfort….I know it seemed to make it a little easier for me.
I miss the guy a lot. Fortunately we have 2 other dogs, both almost 2, that keep me busy. I think they miss Harpo, too, but they don’t sulk about it. I guess life just goes on for them. I think they have a lot to teach me about things like that!
Comments (9)
@POETIC_ISIS - thanks….I needed that! : )
Aw I am sorry to hear that.
That was a beautiful tribute, honey. Thanks for staying with the little guy to the end.
Our hearts go out to you both.
This Saturday will mark 2 weeks since I had to do the same thing for Molly Mae, our Golden Retriever. Diana had her for almost 14 years; and while I was in her life for only 3 years, she REALLY liked me because I was the only man that ever took time for her, and she responded with selfless love. It did not take long for me to love that girl!
Diana could not bear to be at the vet, so it fell to me. This time, I, too, elected to stay to the end (with Heidi I stepped out of the room). Molly weighed 105 pounds, and had to be lifted into the pickup, so I had spread a small blanket for her; we took the drive with the cool air and the smells, and while she was infirm, she STILL enjoyed her ride. The vet came out to the truck, along with an assistant, and I held Molly’s head and gazed into her eyes while the shot was administered. It was rapid; she just laid her head down gently, and went to heaven to wait for us, the last thing in her ears being my voice telling her how very pretty she was.
And I shed a few tears for our loss.
Diana still cannot talk about Molly; it’s just too soon for her. And Rusty seems to be adjusting OK, but he knew right away that Molly was missing.
The love of a dog is a sacred blessing, and even though it is such a difficult thing to do what is best when the timer comes, it is STILL worth it for the reward of their devotion to you.
@POETIC_ISIS - @godfatherofgreenbay - @rondido -
Thanks, y’all…losing a pet is difficult, and maybe more so when you have made the decision to have them put to sleep. When our cat, who was about 9 at the time, just suddenly died while laying in the bed with us, it really wasn’t that difficult. We loved him the same as the dog, but maybe because the decision wasn’t made by us we didn’t have the guilt added to the grieving process.
Our xanga friends make it easier in a way, just knowing that you care.
Dido, give Diana a hug for us. It’s difficult losing a long time pet. It really is more a family member than a pet. You do have to grieve, just like when it’s a person, and then you move on. But you don’t ever forget them!
I DO have something I was wondering about….
I seem to recall that Harpo was the ‘floor boss’, and always pushing Rocky around…or at least in his own mind he was. How is Rocky with this? Are there any obvious signs of him grieving for Harpo?
@rondido - No, Harpo and Rocky were friends. Harpo asserted domination, but they got along really well. In the last few years, pretty much their only interactions had been rubbing faces when they met outside, and Harpo didn’t like that too much because it seemed to hurt his neck. Also, Shadow (the larger of puppies) chases the cat at every opportunity, and Harpo often would join in, so I think Rocky felt betrayed by him (if cats can feel that.)
The day I took Harpo in, I had wrapped him in a towel (it was a rainy day). When I got home, the puppies thorougly smelled the towel and my clothes. I think the cat also smelled of the towel. They seemed to know what had happened. So I haven’t noticed any difference in behavior in any of them since that day.
Cathy, I am so sorry that you had to part from your dog. Life is often tough like that. We’ve had two long-haired dachshunds over the years. They were as stubborn as all get out, but I loved them both. -April