Pugsly

I lost my Pugsly on Monday, January 9, 2017.  He was 14 years old.  I had his mom and dad, Rocky and Adrian.  They were cool little dogs that I had to give away when we got orders to Japan.  Pugsly originally belonged to my daughter and granddaughter.  Adrian had a litter and Jessica wanted one to grow up with Destiny.  He was a super cute puppy but all pugs puppies are cute.  When I came back from Japan he was living out with her dad so I decided he was coming home with me.  I remember he was really skinny and was positive for heart worms but that didn't matter he was my dog now.  I took him to the vet and had the heart worms cleared up and had him neutered and he quickly got to be a round dog.  What a funny boy he was, always happy to see me no matter how long I was away.  He didn't like to be held but loved to be loved on as long as you didn't mess with his tail or his wrinkles.  He would bark at nothing and dance around when it was dinner time.  He was a very happy dog.  He started having seizures several years ago but the vet said they were fairly normal so we didn't worry until the Friday before he died.  He started the day having a couple but by the evening he was having them back to back.  It wasn't looking good for him so Friday night I took him to the vet who ran tests and gave him some medication to stop the seizures but it didn't work.....nothing worked.  By Sunday he couldn't move at all.  I held him on my lap playing with his tail and cleaning his wrinkles.  I knew when he didn't respond to either he was gone.  I held him and told him what a great dog he had been and then found him a cool comfortable spot to rest.  I knew if he made it through the night on Sunday I would have to take him to the vet to be put to sleep but I prayed that I wouldn't have to do that.  I loved that little dog and did not want to have to make that decision so he made it for me.  He was gone by Monday morning when I got up. Jon came home early and we buried him in the little memorial garden I am building for Mom and Dad, under the bird feeders.  He loved to bark at the birds flying overhead so I thought it was a perfect resting place. 
Once again I am mourning.  Once again my heart is breaking and I am overwhelmed with sadness. I know I should be thankful for the years I had with him.  I know he lived a very long life and was well loved but that doesn't ease my broken heart.  Once again the phrase "this too shall pass" runs through my head and I know I will get past this sadness but WOW!!  I am thankful that my last 3 dogs are fairly young and in good health.  I am thankful for a husband who puts up with my dogs when he isn't even a dog person.  I know I will get another puppy but for now I will mourn my "Old Man" and remember what a great dog he was.  
  

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,

Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.

Where the friends of man and woman do run,

When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,

Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.

On this golden land, they wait and they play,

Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,

For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.

Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,

Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,

Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.

All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,

Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;

Together again, both person and pet.

So they run to each other, these friends from long past,

The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,

Has turned into joy once more in each heart.

They embrace with a love that will last forever,

And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.