Our Dash

by Honey
(Beaumont, Canada)

Today is the day. We had to make the heartbreaking and difficult but kind decision to euthanize our old girl Dash. She goes on her last car ride this afternoon.

We have spoiled her these last few days as much as we can.
Frost and I took her for a very slow short walk yesterday, stopping everywhere she wanted to sniff for as long as she wanted to. We gave her a new bone to chew, which she halfheartedly did before laying it down for Tommy to take.

Cricket the cat walks up to her and talks to her in the language they have always shared, but Dash can no longer hear it.

Tommy tries to play with her, but she no longer is able to.
She has been looking at everyone in the eyes. I feel it is her way of asking for peace. She is so tired. She is so sore. Her balance is gone. She can't do stairs, so Tyler carries her down the steps from the deck to the lawn.

We gave her a special breakfast this morning, and her appetite was good. This afternoon we will take her to the old off-leash area and let her wander around for as long as she is able. We will give her an extra meal of soft food.

We will spend the time petting her and letting her know how much she is loved. How much she has enriched and filled our lives and touched our family's lives. We will be there for her as she takes her last breath.

She has been a part of our family for 17 years. There have been times that we have been annoyed with her, times we laughed at her, times we have been worried about her, but we have always loved her. We would not give up those times for anything.

This is Dash.

Dash - thank you for everything.