R.I.P. Kissy & Teddy

I'm sorry it's been a while since I've posted.  It's been a rough month, but I'm starting to get back to normal...whatever normal is.  :o)  Most of you who know me know how much of an animal lover I am.  Anyway, we had been taking Teddy (the black dog) to the vet.  They thought he had arthritis.  The medicine they put him on wasn't helping at all.  When we took him back the last time (April 12th), they discovered it wasn't arthritis.  Teddy had bone cancer.  He was in so much pain that when they sedated him in order to get the x-rays, he was whimpering under the anaesthetic.  Dr. Budding told us there wasn't anything they could do for him and we might want to consider the humane thing to do.  Ugh.  As most of you know, we had 3 dogs.  We knew a decision was going to have to be made for Kissy (the brown dog).  She was getting old and was not enjoying life anymore.  We weren't prepared for Teddy.  So we discussed it over the weekend and decided we would take them both in.  Our dogs have all three been together for 10 years.  So, on Friday April 16th, we lost two of our beloved dogs.  I took the day off work (it was Skeet's scheduled day off).  We were a mess to say the least.  It was the longest week of our lives.

I did a lot of praying Friday morning, mostly to make sure we were doing the right thing.  I knew we were for Teddy, because  he was in constant pain.  Just whimpering a lot and wanting us to just sit with him and love him, which we all gladly did.  He was such a lover.  So, I was sitting on the floor with Kissy  asking God to please let me know we made the right choice in taking her in with Teddy. What happened next is a moment in time that I will never, ever forget.  Kissy was laying next to me.  I was crying because I just didn't know.  She got up. She came and sat in front of me.  She put her head on my shoulder.  I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her so tight.  The feeling was overwhelming.  It was the right thing to do. Thank you, God, for confirming what Kissy wanted.

So, we left our house at 1:10 PM.  The dogs hung their heads out of the car windows in the back seat, enjoying the breeze running thru their faces for the last time.  I  could only watch and save that Kodak moment and embed it in my memory, for we wouldn't be seeing this same picture on the ride home.  Teddy went first.  He was growling at the needle only because Dr. Budding said he's just tired of being poked and prodded.  We held Teddy and lovingly caressed him as he left this life peacefully into the next.  Then it was Kissy's turn.  They picked her up and put her onto the table.  She looked at me as they got her ready.  I held her face in my hands and told her how much I loved her.  Skeet gently stroked her back.  She was gone before half of the tube was injected.  Dr. Budding was amazed and said she was very ready to go.  Little did he know, I received that message earlier that morning.  So, they are both pain free and living their eternal life running and barking and enjoying their new freedom that can only happen in Heaven.

Our dogs (and cats) aren't just animals to us.  They are part of our family and are treated as such.  I'm a big supporter of animals and the ASPCA is a foundation I give to regularly.  (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) I gave a special donation this week in memory of Teddy and Kissy.  If you would like to also donate, just click ASPCA.  And please don't support puppy mills by buying from them.  Go to your local shelter and save a life.  If you see abuse, or know it's taking place, PLEASE report it to your local authorities.  Please make sure to always spade an neuter your pets!  We didn't find Teddy and Kissy.  They found us and for the last 10 years we have been incredibly blessed by the amount of love they both gave us. They were dogs nobody wanted and just tossed aside.  How lucky we were they found us!

Now Stubby is the Lone Wolf as Skeet calls him.  He didn't take all this well at first.  We knew he wouldn't as he's  never been an 'only dog'.  But he's getting the spring back in his step and we are spoiling him like crazy.  My sister brought her dog, Leroy, over and Stubby actually was glad to see another dog.  I'm glad to say that Leroy will be making frequent visits to our house!  :o)

Sorry this post is so long.  Teddy and Kissy deserved this long memorial....even a longer one...but I am sitting here with tears in my eyes and need to go regroup.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and please, please love your animals, or support a local shelter or the ASPCA if you can't have a pet in your life.  You CAN make a difference in their life and the rewards you get back no money can buy.  I promise!!  The only thing in life they want is to be loved and to love.  That's it.  Plain and simple.

R.I.P. Teddy and Kissy.  What you gave us in love is a gift that will never be forgotten.  You made a difference in our lives and our home is off balance without you.  Until we meet again....