This is a repeat for those of you belonging to www.petwarmers.com, but I thought maybe someone else would post it so I waited.
This is a wonderful story and especially meaningful, in light of Shaianne's crossing.
Get out the tissues!
DAISY SCENT
I look for signs and wonders in everyday life to confirm that I'm on
the right path. God sends me people to tell me, show me, or guide me along
the way. That's how I write these stories. They are about those people.
But today, I write about my dog Daisy.
We have had her in our lives for about a dozen years. Every second of
every day of those wonderful years were precious gifts to us. Daisy was
approaching approximately 15 years of age. Her appetite was excellent but
her body was giving way. I can relate to that sometimes.
A short while ago I wrote a story about her, which was included in the
new Petwarmers Pet Tales CD. It was called "In Her Eyes." It was all
perfect timing. The day my copy of the CD arrived, Daisy had begun having
some serious set backs. Until that day, she managed to get around quite
nicely considering her arthritis was worsening. We kept her on her daily
medication and her doctor felt she was doing just fine.
This past week I began to see signs of her failing health. I called
the vet and they told me what to watch for, but explained ultimately that
the decision to put Daisy to sleep was all mine. Marianne and I had a
conversation about this just last week.
"Hon, do you want me to tell you when the day has come for Daisy, so
you can say your goodbyes?" I asked.
"Honey, I have said goodbye to her a thousand times already. I know
what lies ahead," she told me.
"So you don't want me to tell you?" I asked.
"No."
I prayed a few days ago for one of those magnificent signs from God to
let me know Daisy needed to go home. I waited. Nothing.
That is until last night.
Through the years, every time Marianne and I went away for a few days,
we would take Daisy to this incredible farm where she was loved and cared
for while we were gone. The first day we went there, the owner told me
that to make Daisy more comfortable while we were gone, one of us should
wear an old t-shirt for a few days and bring it in with her. The scent
left on the clothing would keep her comfortable and keep us not too far
from her memory.
Daisy sleeps on a dog mattress next to our bed every night. The
mattress is located on Marianne's side, so Daisy always slept there.
Except for last night. It was the oddest thing. Just as we climbed
into bed, Daisy came over to my side and laid down on the floor. She never
did that before. She was panting a little so I petted her for awhile,
expecting that she would go to her bed as soon as I stopped.
She didn't. She stayed there all night, never moving even when I got
up a few times. I would return and there she was sleeping.
The reason I find this all so fascinating is, she slept on my t-shirt
that I always have lying on the floor. She curled up and made a bed out of
it.
This morning she woke up and could not walk. I carried her downstairs
and outside. She really struggled to go and had difficulty standing up to
eat.
Marianne went off to work.
At 10am, I called the vet and could barely speak. The assistant
waited patiently for me to say something. She knew why I was calling.
"Bring her in at 2pm," she said.
I cried so hard when I hung up I could hardly stand. I held her in my
arms and we sat there.
Some of you may not like this part. I don't care.
Daisy and I had a party today. She always loved the crust from pizza
we ate. Today I ordered a pizza, bought a McDonalds Quarter Pounder with
cheese, no condiments, and we sat on the floor together. I opened the
pizza box and let her eat what she wanted. She then ate the burger and I
followed it up with a small dish of vanilla ice cream.
She loved it. So did I.
As I write this, Marianne doesn't know about Daisy. I bought flowers
for her and placed Daisy's picture next to it on the kitchen table. Yes,
Daisies.
Tonight we will hold each other and cry. Oh yes, we will hold that
old t-shirt to remember her -- it is Daisy scent!
-- Bob Perks <Bob @ BobPerks.com>
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