A free verse tribute to my Corgi Rusty. |
If you only knew how hard, how painful, how traumatic it was for us to have the vet end your life, you would know how much you truly were loved. We cried and cried over your lifeless body. We still cry whenever we think of you because the hurt is still too fresh. They say it will get better with time, but somehow I doubt this is true. Our hearts will forever carry this scar. Rusty, you were a great dog and so much beloved. You did the Corgi breed proud. You gave us fifteen years worth of wonderful memories. You were forever intelligent, loving, obedient, and playful. In my mind, I’ll always picture you chasing squirrels in the backyard, herding your indestructible plastic ball, retrieving rubber balls in the house, barking with us, seeking affectionate petting, never begging at meals but waiting patiently for a treat (you did love chicken, hamburgers, and oatmeal cookies). Then there was that time it snowed and how you loved playing in it. I treasured our late night walks together. Thanks for the great memories, old fellow. People were always so surprised how fast you ran, how high you could jump. You were so quick and agile! But in the end, the years were unkind to you. You lost the ability to jump several years ago; then this year your arthritic neuropathy, as the vet labeled it, robbed you of your ability to walk normally. You staggered and flopped around when you walked. Even trying to stand and walk grew painful for you. It broke our hearts to see you suffering so. You whimpered with pain, became urine incontinent. Our love for you gave us the strength to give you peace. It was time, Rusty; it was time. Rusty: 10 December 1993 – 29 January 2009 Farewell, old fellow. You'll forever be in our hearts. Please check out my ten books: http://www.amazon.com/Jr.-Harry-E.-Gilleland/e/B004SVLY02/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 |