Axel

My sweet old man went to heaven tonight.

 

I adopted Axel last summer at 13 years old and gave him a soft bed, lots of love, lots of homemade cookies, and endless cuddles for the eight months we were together. He was such a sweet boy. I'll miss you so much big guy.

 

Many people ask me "How can you adopt the old ones?" They tell me "I couldn't do it. I wouldn't want to say good-bye so soon." Well, to them I say that you are missing out on the best love you could ever have. The love of a senior dog is the best thing around. They are sweet, calm, loving, and thankful for the love and care you give them. The comfy bed is a bonus.

 

So that is why I keep adopting the seniors when I know they will break my heart sooner rather than later. I don't understand how someone can have a dog for 13-16 years and then surrender them (or dump them) when that sweet senior needed them the most. These sweet dogs gave their everything to their family. They loved them unconditionally. They gave them happiness and laughter their whole lives. They got nothing in return. In fact, even less than nothing. So, I open my heart and make room for the seniors. It hurts when they are gone. It crushes them. I cry as much for them as I do for my others that I've had for years. In my mind, I feel that when I am there for them at the end and they see me crying and crumbling around them, hugging them and loving them with tears rolling down my eyes, they at least know the love that they should have had all along and at the end. They deserve that.

 

So, I will continue to adopt the seniors and give them all the love I can for whatever time they have left and all the love I can give them at the end. They will know what it feels like to be loved.

 

Tami

Sassy

Our Sassy came to the RMCSR via transport van from Kansas in mid-July, in pretty poor health. She didn't know whether she was a Collie or a Sheltie. She was thin, and her polka-dotted skin showed through the little bit of fur she had.

 

The Sassy One (or TSO for short) loved naps. She’d arrange herself next to me, on her back with all four legs sticking up and her spots, dots, and skin showing. She wasn’t bashful! TSO also loved eating, especially dog treats. One day while I was away, somedoggy helped herself to all the cookies on the counter. Yep, TSO was a world-class counter-surfer!

 

Sassy slowly put on weight. On September 12th I noticed her tummy looked swollen, so we went to the emergency animal hospital to check it out. We got the worst news. Her ultrasound showed multiple tumors on her spleen and liver. The prognosis was devastating: she had few days to live. But TSO was brave, and assured me it would be all right. She told me a trip to McDonald’s would help her feel better, so on the way home she got a hamburger.

 

Our dear Sassy made it almost two weeks before she got visibly sick. Mornings were bad. I massaged and petted her so much that my fingers were slick. And she deserved every bit of it. She rallied in the afternoons, especially when we spent time on the front porch where she could watch the bunnies and squirrels, and say hello to people and dogs walking by. That girlie was a lover!

 

I said goodbye to our sweet Sassy on the afternoon of September 29th. We rode to the doctor with the sunroof and windows down, and I saw her push her nose out the window enjoying the breeze. She told me it was time – she was suffering even with her medicine – and that I had to be strong.

 

The Sassy One decided her fur-ever home was with me, and I am honored. She was a terrific doggy. I miss that little girl. I keep looking for her and she’s not here. Rest in peace my little Sassy, I love you. We love you. You are loved!

 

Karen