But it's not.
I don't really know what to say about today.
We had to put the dog to sleep this morning. I feel guilty because I wish I felt worse about it than I do but I would be lying if I said I was heart-broken.
You see, back when we were first dating - 14 years ago, Brian and I traveled to Florida to get Toby from a friend of mine who claimed she couldn't keep him anymore. (Likely story.) He was a pretty dog and he got along with cats and he was very sweet.
Look how cute he was in 1996! He was such a good back-seat driver.
And I like dogs. Really, I do.
But after having him for about a week we discovered that he was really a goat in disguise.
His favorite delicacies were underwear, pantyhose, paper towels, money, plastic food storage containers, etc., etc..
And that animal's bowels could pass just about all of these things easily.
And that animal's bowels could pass just about all of these things easily.
Too easily, in fact. Messy. Messy. Messy.
Well, Brian and I got married the very next year and moved into an apartment in Knoxville where the pet fee was nearly as much as our monthly rent. So, guess who "inherited" the dog?
That's right. My poor mom. And she's been cleaning up the messes for the last 13 years. I'm so sorry, Mom. Truly, I am.
And even though we have lived in a house and not in an apartment for the last 10 years , Mom has kept the dog because I am a lousy daughter and did not want him back because, quite frankly, I didn't want to be cleaning up after him. You understand, I already have my hands full with these children I've given birth to.
Well, the mess has gotten much worse over the last few days and he had eaten hardly anything at all in about 3 weeks. He was terribly thin. And, at the ripe old age of 105, he was having much trouble getting on the bed and has lost a lot of his hearing and eyesight.
It was time.
But the kids have gotten attached to him and I am not looking forward to having to tell the boys (especially Parker). Anna was a little upset when I told her but she seems to be taking it all in stride. And Landon, of course, doesn't really understand what's happened.
My mom, however, may throw a little party in honor of his passing even though I know she'll miss him too. ; )
So say a little prayer for Parker that he'll take the news okay.
And that he won't start begging for a new dog for at least a year.
TobyMay 1995 - January 2010
We really will miss you.
4 comments:
I hope your son handles the news okay and isn't too sad...sorry about your day. That's a tough one, no matter the circumstances. And sometimes its just the kinder thing...it sounds like he was definitely feeling his age.
Oh Rebekah, I am not a dog person, but I am sorry to hear this news - especially for the sake of your little guy.
If only we never had to be the bearer of bad news for our children, that they could always live in a world where the people and animals they love live forever loving them.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. I understand your feelings completely, however.
I am a HUGE dog person. I know how difficult it can be to put your dog to sleep. I have had to do it three times and it never gets any easier. I pray your kids understand that he had a wonderful life and it was his time to go.
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