My beautiful Rowdy died in my arms yesterday. He went in for larangeal paralysis tie-back surgery on Monday. The surgery went well and all seemed great until Tuesday morning around 8am. He started his battle with aspiration pneumonia and rallied several times when I was called to see him.
When the surgeon called around 2 yesterday afternoon, I asked Rowdy to please hang on
until I could get there. He did. We spent about 20 minutes together with him lying down. Then he sat up, licked my face, lay back down, stretched and was gone within a few minutes. For his final gift to me, I will be forever grateful. He died on Jan 28, 2009 at 2:51 pm at 12 1/2 years old.
You will notice pictures on my page of Rowdy well and happy. He brought much joy into the lives of all who knew him. I even saw the vets notes one day and they said Rowdy was a VERY nice dog. When he died, he not only had me with him, but 2 surgeons, his vet and 2 vet techs and one of the receptionists. This I did not know until he breathed his last, and they were all right there offerring their comfort.
I know the death of a much loved pet is extremely stressful, and I am really trying to remember that having a cigarette will not do me or him any good. But when the tears start rolling, it almost seems worth a cigarette to stop the pain - but then, I remember that I hid behind cigarettes for too long and feeling this pain may not be such a huge price to pay for all the joy and love (and yes even the stubbornness) that he brought into my life.
So now, as his physical presence fades from my life, I will remember him more and more as Quasar - his light name. Just as my Munchie is now more often remembered as Abriam.
Casey knows that Rowdy has left, while Faelan is confused at the sadness he is feeling. Faelan has also decided that Rowdy's blanket seems just the greatest tug toy - this he started last night. Co-incidence?
