Yesterday our loving and wonderful K-9 companion left this world and I do hope that all dogs do go to Heaven. Keitel was an older dog but had been in relative good health (stiff joints) until late August when he suddenly lost the use of his hind legs due to a genetic spinal problem. His legs moved (dreams still resulting in "running" legs) but he no longer had the strength in the hips. Surgery was considered but the cost was high and the odds of getting a lot of function back was slim.
He became confined to pillows in my "office" where he could watch me and the world. His daily excursions outdoors meant that he had to carried out and then "wheel-barrowed" about until he was ready to return indoors. A wheelchair was obtained but he just did not take to it and both human and dog were getting frustrated and stressed and finally the decision that we had been dreading was made.
It is amazing how attached to an animal you can become and as I sat in the living room, reading last night, I found myself frequently looking toward the door to this room to see if he was okay or listening for him. There will always be a lot of good memories and those will have to comfort us.
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