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Tasha the Friendly Dog

Today was the Day, written by Mom

I brought Tasha in to the vet just now. She is such an angel that she made it so easy for me. She was not stressed at all by the whole thing. She never minded going to the vet and always loved any attention! To help make me feel like I was doing the right thing, she could not get up from where she was laying in the back of the truck. So I kind of crawled in there dragged and carried her out. Then, I let her sniff the grass and the bushes around the clinic to her heart's content. When she decided to start walking towards the clinic, she fell and could not get up. I helped her up. Then, once in the clinic, on the slippery floor, she fell again and stayed down. An employee came and figured out who we were and showed us where to go. I had to help her up again then she walked into the room and settled on a blanket they had put on the floor. Silly me, I was worried about the germs she may have licked up from the floor on the way in. How stupid is that? The young woman told me the doctor would be in in a few minutes. I had brought some really good cheese with me and fed her little pieces. She looked like her usual happy self, only she didn't get up. Normally she would have been all over me for more of that cheese. The vet eventually came in and briefly assessed the situation. I could tell that he didn't give a shit as to who we were or what was going on. It was probably his last hour before his weekend. But that didn't matter. We just needed his services. Tasha loved everyone so she liked him too. He told us we would have 5 minutes before he came back with a sedative. He then asked if I had been through this before. I said, "Yes, with a cat." I would have said more and told him about Peaches, but I could already tell that he didn't give a damn. For him, it was just business. So, I petted Tasha, gave her more cheese, cried and talked to her some more. He came back and gave her the needle to sedate her. She didn't feel it. He said he would be back soon with the real deal. She did get really relaxed after it so I quickly gave her the rest of the cheese before she lost interest in it. Then the vet came back in with the same young woman from reception. They hoisted her onto the table. She was completely relaxed and okay with everything. Smiling the whole time! Not wagging her tail because that was paralyzed from her condition. But she would have if she could have! They shaved a bit of fur off of her right front leg. I was petting her the whole time. She didn't mind in the least what they were doing to her. Then they put in the IV. They expected that to be a bit uncomfortable for her but she sailed through that no problem. I was petting her and never felt her flinch a bit. Then, I saw them getting the real stuff ready to go. Here is where it was different from when I brought Peaches in. With Peaches, they gave me a big heads up. With Tasha, they just did it. Luckily, I knew what was going on and just kept petting her. She didn't twitch, flinch, complain, nothing. She for sure passed as peacefully as can be possible. The vet guy then said I could take my time with her body and then leave when I was ready. I didn't need much time because I believe that Tasha's soul was gone from her body. So, I paid the bill and left. All the way home I could swear that I heard her panting in the back of the truck, like usual. I kept looking back there and then realized that I was just imagining things.
What a sweet and gentle dog Tasha was. She was so sweet that she even made her passing easier for me by just being Tasha

Dear Tasha,

I'm am so sorry about what is happening to you. It breaks my heart to see you this way. Just a short while ago you were running and playing very well for a fifteen year old dog. As little as a few weeks ago, we were still going on some nice walks in the woods. I knew you had degenerative myelopathy. I figured it out myself about 2 months ago. The vet confirmed this 2 weeks ago. I just did not expect you to get so bad so fast. I'm not ready to lose you. But I never would be. Tonight I know that I will have to be taking you on your final trip to the vet real soon. We have been through a lot together. Losing Rosie. Losing my father. Losing Max. Losing Fuzzy. My divorce. Your cancer. Losing my mother. And losing Peaches. We survived all of that together. And you are so good with the little wildcat sisters. I have seen you gently kissing them and them kissing you back.
I love you girl. You are a very good dog.
Mom

Happy New Year!

I have had a really nice year. We did have a cold snap for a couple of weeks in December, but Mom fed us extra and had us sleep in the house at night.
I am getting old but earning special treatment. Mom picks me up to help me into our truck and even helps me out if I want. She sneaks me extra food and treats when Lobo isn't looking.
Things are going well for all of us on this first day of 2009.
Hope all of you are as fortunate as we are.