Saying goodbye

It is with the utmost sadness that I say goodbye to my girl, Scarlet.

Scarlet came into my life by accident, after 7 years had passed when my childhood dog Samantha passed away, I got Sophi, my Airedale. My mom was not too thrilled with Sophi, being more dog than she was prepared for and so she wanted her own dog – another Miniature Schnauzer. She found an ad in the paper, some man had purchased her from a breeder and the wife was not happy – neither were her cats. When my mom called to inquire about her he had changed his mind and was going to try to make it work. He called my mom a couple of days later and said the wife was putting her foot down. So we went to see her. She was adorable, this tiny little bundle with big floppy ears. When we were trying to decide yes or no, the guy mentioned her birthday was the day after Christmas, my birthday. That sealed the deal and she became December’s Delightful Angel or Scarlet Elaine.

As a puppy, pretty much every person in my family was in love with her. We have countless photos of Scarlet curled up in someone’s arms, both being asleep. She was the queen of this house. She was a defiant puppy, potty training on HER terms and bossing big sis Sophi around. The two went through obedience class together and grooming sessions together, and walks together. They were a great pair. Sophi and her Airedale antics kept Scarlet on her toes. And if things were not just perfect in Scarlet’s world, she would tell. If Sophi snuck downstairs for kitty krunchies, Scarlet was at the top of the steps barking her fool head off. Sophi learned really quick to be fast and to bring some up for Scarlet so she wouldn’t tell. Scarlet loved napping on our kitchen table when we were gone, only to find one day Sophi had removed all of the chairs from the table so she couldn’t get down! The next best napping spot for Scarlet was in the sun – she loved the warm and hot and excessively hot days. She could lay outside for hours on end in the heat, just soaking it up.

The most notable physical characteristic of Scarlet’s was her ears. Friends who knew her from photos could always pick Scarlet out because of her ears! One was down and one was up – as if waving hello to everyone she met. Funny thing is, Scarlet wasn’t one to warm up quickly to people. It had to be on her own terms. Her favorite person in the world was Scott, he gave the best belly rubs and back scratches and ear scratches ever. She would get so wiggly and giddy when Scott came home for the holidays. Her eyes would sparkle for Scott.

Scarlet was not much on frivolous play either – occasionally she could be found with a floppy toy that she could shake, but if she caught you watching or if you wanted to engage in play with her, she’d just as soon walk the other way. Scarlet’s duty was to sit comfortably on a pillow or the back of the couch or chair and survey her kingdom. If something happened that she felt needed to be addressed by her followers, such as someone walking by outside, she’d let out one small bark and that would send every single dog running and barking to defend her. No other dog in the house has that much power, just Scarlet. The only thing Scarlet really enjoyed was fashion – and she wore it so well too! She would actually run away if we tried to take off her shirt!

Scarlet was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the blood vessels) just about a week and a half or so before Thanksgiving. So many of you were with me through that entire ordeal. The ER vet at the time said that she would make it to 3 months, if that. We removed her spleen the Wednesday before Thanksgiving with the aide of my vet, who generously gave up her day off, time with her family and meal preparations to perform the surgery. We didn’t know if she would make it to see Christmas, let alone her 9th birthday. But the days passed and she got stronger. And the Scarlet we know and love started coming back. The sounds of Scarlet only reassured me she was back in full swing, the flopping of her ears when she shook her head, the nesting on the bed or pillow to make it just right, the sighs when she rolled over for a belly rub, and the little huffs and whispers she would let out when rubbing her face in the covers … the sounds of Scarlet.

It has been 5 ½ months approximately since her surgery, and for the most part, they were really good months. But today, when she refused all food and water and began to vomit blood … she let us know it was over. I told her on Sunday that she didn’t need to fight any more. If she was ready then I would let her go. My heart hurts, I can feel each heartbeat like a drum in my chest, it is difficult to breath, and my face is all red and blotchy from crying – what I would give to hear the sounds of Scarlet if just for one more day. I am praying that she crossed over the bridge safely … and I’m praying that she and I will be reunited again some day.

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