Happy Birthday to me

[prophet_marcus]

Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. Sadly, the day was spoiled for me by having to take Duke to the vet first thing to put him down. He was getting worse by the hour all yesterday and it was painful to watch. It was probably the hardest decision I've ever made, but it was for the best. Trish came down to say goodbye, to help me with Duke and just to be there for me and the kids in a difficult time.

Enough of the sadness. He lived fourteen years, thirteen with us. I like to think they were good years for him as well as for us. His zest for life never faded until the very end. He will be missed - it will take time for all of us here to get used to his not being around. But in the end, we will. So I'm trying to remember the good times and how much devotion and love we shared with our friend, Duke.

Comments

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Hell of a birthday present, for sure. But try to get some enjoyment out of it, somewhere. You've made it through another year intact.

[templarwolf.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry to hear about Duke. Sounds like you gave him a good life. This is never an easy choice to make, but it sounds like the right one. Sorry it happened to fall on your birthday.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

My condolences. That's a damn tough thing to have to do.

So sorry.

[tam-elbrun.livejournal.com]

Wow! I am so sorry to hear this. It seems this has been a bad year for pets already. It has only been a week since I had to make the same decision for my cat, Phantom. It was dreadful. I hope the New Year holds better things in store for all of us, rather than this sort of thing. I hope that it was helpful to have Trish and the family there. I know I talked to all of mine on the phone, but it isn't the same as having them there with you. Hang in there!

[prophet-marcus.livejournal.com]

The hard part is, at the moment, everyone is out somewhere. For the twelve years we've lived in this house, I have never been truly alone. The other humans might have been out somewhere, but Duke was always there, padding around, needing walks or other attention. I keep hearing some little noise that sounds like his claws on the floor, or suddenly catching a lingering whiff of his odor. I go through a door and automatically try to determine where he is so he doesn't sneak out or I don't step on him or something. And there's this big hole.

[archangelbeth]

*hugs you lots, belatedly*