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WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR DOG YOU LOSE A PART OF YOURSELF

Last Thursday we had the sad task of having our loving Labradoodle, put-to-sleep. My tears make it hard to see the keyboard/computer.

Our adult children have gone off to live in Toronto and Ottawa with children of their own and we were empty nesters. I persuaded my dear wife, Ella, that a dog would provide companionship along with a sense of security to our home.

Six years ago we chose a pup who was a very cute rambunctious bundle of joy who sat on my lap all the way home from the breeder. I selected him because he and I shared the same birthday, July 29th.

We named him Motik which means sweet but most people simply called him Monty.

We went out and purchased a dog crate which he refused to stay in. The three of us were enrolled in puppy classes with Yvette to learn the ropes of training him to be the nearly perfect pet. There was a problem from day one. Monty never ever considered himself to be an obedient dog. He regarded himself as an equal member of our family. Monty trained us to take care of his needs; when we acquiesced to his bark he rewarded us with happy wet kisses along with a wag of his tail.

When we purchased a new car we thought it was prudent to buy a station wagon for him to sit in the hatch. It was a no brainer, Monty refused to take his seat in the back preferring to sit in the front passenger seat. It seemed that every time we parked the car admiring young women would ask if they could pet him. Monty was a beautiful blond chick magnet with perfect eyeliner make up who always enjoyed being the center of attraction.

Walking, okay running, alongside his dog sitters, Kirk & Elaine was a great vacation for our dog. It was a match made in heaven with him enjoying his stay in their home.

Monty was an integral important component to my counseling practice. He always seemed to know when I was expecting clients, He would wait at the glass door checking out the driveway. Every visitor was greeted with a friendly bark while he waited to be petted.

We had the good fortune to have chosen an excellent veterinarian, who simply adored seeing him on his yearly check-ups.

Four months ago we discovered that Monty was limping very badly. The vet x-rayed his hip and sent the film to an Orthopedic Surgeon who confirmed that Monty had a large growth that was perhaps cancerous.

Unlike other horror stories that we have heard from other pet owners we were not rushed into making a hasty decision. Expensive biopsies and surgery may not of helped. We were not treated as if we were just a blank cheque, credit card customer, being reeled in by our emotions.

This last week Monty has not been able to pass his urine or move his bowels and he finally stopped eating. We made the very difficult decision to put our-dog- down.

I drove to the vet with Ella & Monty in the back seat to have his last needle. The technician administered the intravenous injection into Monty’s leg while Ella held him in her arms. After a few minutes we were told that our love was gone. We cried all the way home.

I found it amazing that our veterinarian took the time to drive to our farm to help us bury him.

Our pets become integral members of the family unit. Some good food, plenty of water and a dog biscuit or two and he/she can add many years of enjoyment to your life.

The sages teach us that: when you lose a parent you lose the past, when you lose a spouse you lose the present, when you lose a child you lose the future and when you lose a friend you lose part of yourself. Monty was probably the very best friend that one could possibly have.

We are very grateful for the short time that we were able to have with Monty as part of our extended family.
Knowing him, he is in heaven, smiling, wagging his tail, patiently waiting for us to return to his new home to be with him once again.

Au revoir my friend, until we meet again.

Len Lesser