WO- I know exactly how you feel... I would like to share my story with you.
6 years ago, my cousin in law was diagnosed with cancer... the day he married my cousin was one of the happiest days in my life. My cousin was like a big sister to me and marrying him made him a big brother to me... when I found out he had cancer, I was devastated. I found out at the start of June and had 2 weeks of high school left... I made the decision to go and stay with my cousins 4 hours away to help out. At the time their daughter was 3 and their son was 4 months. I knew they needed help.
I gave up my whole summer to be down there with them, I watched this big strong man basically shrivel up in front of me through the 2 months I was there. He also told me... "Never lose faith kiddo"... and every day I looked forward to hearing that. My last weekend with them, he was able to get out of the hospital for a weekend pass. My parents came down and we all spent some time together. On the Saturday, my cousin asked if I wanted to go for a ride, she had something to show me... we drove for over an hour until we pulled up to this beautiful farm house... as we drove up the drive way, two great big Bernese Mountain Dogs came bounding out, followed by 3 little fuzz butts. As a thank you gift, my cousins bought me my dream dog. She was beautiful and I knew exactly what to name her... and than it when my journey with Faith started.
That dog was my life, and a daily reminder of how never losing Faith got my family through one of the toughest summers of our lives. She was perfect. Over the years she was there for me like no one else. She was there through some not so great relationships, she was there through my constant struggles and health issues and she was there when I made the decision to move away for college. She truly was my best friend.
Jan 13th, 2012, we came home and she never met me at the door... in my 5 years with her, she always met me at my door when I returned home... at first I thought maybe she was not feeling well, but as the night went on I realized something was wrong. First thing in the morning I loaded her in the van and drove her to the vet. My worst nightmare had come true... my beloved and best friend had cancer... I was given the option to attempt to treat her, or to have her laid to rest. I took her home that snowy Saturday and waited for my partner to return home. As soon as he walked through the door he knew. We were both so devastated... we talked it over and made the tough decision that she needed to be pain free. I called the vet Saturday night and told her we would be there first thing Monday morning.
Saturday night was extremely hard... From Friday night to Sunday night, she lost all control over her body, she was getting sick and could not stand... my 100lb dog, lost 36lbs in 48 hours. Monday morning, I took her out for her last pee and she gave me that look... that look that seemed to thank me for what I was about to do. The 15 min drive to the vet was hard, there were many times I just wanted to turn around, I was not ready to lose my best friend... but with my partner by my side, we arrived at the vet and carried her in.
Once in the office, Faith was situated on her favorite blanket and her head on my lap. When the vet came in, Faith's tail began to wag, her tail wagged right until the end. Watching my baby peacefully fall asleep in my arms crushed me, but I knew it was the best thing for her.
The very thing that brought her into my life, was the very thing that took her away. No dog will ever take her place, she was there when I needed her most and she left my life when she knew I was safe and happy.
WO- Feb 16th was a year since her passing...I have thought of her every day since, people always say it will get better and I can say I have had good days, but I have also had many bad days because of losing her. I can tell you to hang in there and remember all the good times you shared with your furry friend. Please know, the tough decision you made today, was the best decision for your best friend. I am thinking of you today.