Just when you think Life is moving along just fine and you have no major worries...the unexpected comes along and knocks you for a loop. On July 1st, we had to put my little dog down. I have jokingly called him our "foster dog" ever since we agreed to care for him "temporarily" five years ago.
He used to be my sister's dog and I really did like having him here. He had such a sweet nature and really wasn't much trouble. He stayed close to home most of the time without being confined or chained and he always let us know when someone showed up in the driveway or yard. I didn't realize how much I had become attached to him until this happened.
We're pretty sure he suffered a slipped disk. Three days earlier, he was sitting on one of the big rocks by the creek with Austin and when I called him, instead of walking down the way he went up; he jumped off of the side which was at least 4 ft. high. Later that afternoon, he was walking funny and his back legs seemed to be failing when he tried to walk.
His condition worsened every day and by Sunday, it was obvious that he was suffering and in pain. He couldn't stand or hold his head up and I had to finally make the decision I knew was coming. It was incredibly sad and emotionally exhausting and I cried off and on all weekend.
I tried to talk to Austin before he left Friday, knowing that when he came back from vacation, Tojo would be gone. He didn't understand why someone would have to put a pet to sleep to keep him from suffering. He said we should just take him to the vet and get him fixed! Unfortunately, that was not an option.
Tojo is buried in the back yard and I still look for his face in the door of his doghouse whenever I look out there. I already miss him and look for him every time I go outside just out of habit. I have rejected any ideas about getting another dog. Ronald likes the fact that he barked when someone was around but I just don't care to get another one. I've always been more of a "cat" person most of my life... I guess a cat doesn't make a very good alarm though. *sigh*
An odd thing happened the day after he died...as I was driving across town I came to a red light and a motorcycle was in front of me at the light. It had a personalized license plate on it and when I got close enough to read it, I saw that it said "TOJO" ! That was really unexpected! One of my friends told me God was sending me a little "hi" from Tojo...lol...but at the time I was trying not to think about him and what had happened.
I did hear these words of wisdom from my friend Brenda at church..."I think God gives us pets to help us learn to deal with death." I've never thought of it that way before, but I guess it makes sense.
Ronald was so helpful and thoughtful when I was upset and though he doesn't get emotional about animals, he was very understanding and sympathetic to my feelings. He tried to make things easier for me. I am blessed to have such a wonderful husband.
