March 23, 2011

  • Minuette

    Poor Minuette, our 14 1/2 year old beagle was sent off to doggy heaven (we won't get into whether I think that is theologically correct - it just sounded good for my purposes here!) this morning.  I don't even have it in me to post a picture here, but I am sure there are some somewhere here in Xangaland.

    Minuette lived a good long life, but these past years had needed special enzymes to digest her food, had lost lots of weight, had a growing fatty tumor (non malignant), was arthritic, deaf, and had cataracts.  She could barely jump onto her favorite chair ( and couldn't at all the past few days), could barely go up stairs, and was generally going downhill.  By yesterday, it was clear that the poor little doggie was just existing, and as it was time to order all her medications, and to take her for a vet visit for some ongoing procedures, and to then take her to the kennel while I travel to Colorado, we made the decision to take her this morning to be put down.  I wasn't even sure I was going to have the emotional energy to do it today, but I had to take her to the vet either way, and so I was prepared.  Poor Betsy was so upset when I told her yesterday, that I just about decided not to.  But that wouldn't really have been good for Minuette.  And Betsy hadn't seen her go downhill these past few months, so she understood, even though she was sad.

    I had talked with a number of people to be sure I wasn't making this decision based on convenience for me.  The kennel owner, who we have known and loved all these years, said, "IT IS TIME!"  just like that.  The vet agreed, Jim agreed, and I knew I had to be brave and go ahead.  I was drinking my coffee this morning thinking about doing this all by myself, when my precious son-in-law, Sam, called.  He was coming over to help me take Minuette.   Bless his heart - he came and held her in the car and in the vet office while I took care of paperwork, he gave me lots of moral support, and he gave me a big hug before he left.  I asked him what work he would have been doing that he took time out of for me.  He said, "Nothing important."  

    I am so appreciative of my whole supportive family, but especially for Sam right now!

Comments (4)

  • Such a sad time, and a difficult decision. I'm sorry you had to make it, but I sure understand the need.  Thankful with you for your sweet son-in-law!

  • Difficult but necessary if we are going to be good stewards of our pets.  Glad Sam was there for you.  Betsy will understand.  

  • Been in that decision before. I know your feelings. You will heal but the hurt will always have a place because you loved your Minuette so much. Its so wonderful how God can give us animals and we can get so attached to them.

    Ours was a Timber Wolf. He was about 15. When he looked at us, its like he begged to be put down. He was also arthritic, hardly any teeth, and lots more.

    His name was Rocky. Beautiful orange and white coat with baby blue eyes that turned almost white in the winter!

    I'll have to do a post on him one day. <3

  • Oh Donna! I am so sorry. It is so hard to let a special pet go.

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