Today I had the horrible task of bringing my faithful siberian huskey, Dragon, to the vet to be put to sleep. He was almost 14, and during these past couple of months endured the horrific disease that is cancer. He had surgery, and many more medications than I could even keep track of in my small kitchen. I truly have no doubt that I did the right, and humane thing, and yet it was the most god awful thing I have ever had to do.
The walk from my car to the vet’s office was filled with cringe inducing falls, where I would have to help Dragon to his feet. The one almost bitter sweet moment was when we passed a young siberian huskey poking his head through a fence, and the two animals sniffed, and wagged, and were genuinely happy for a moment. Eventually, as his legs gave way, I had to carry Dragon the few blocks to the vet, tears streaming my face. My buddy Steve, who was kind enough to accompany me, said that God had made me strong for a reason, and here I was able to do the right thing for my friend because of my strength, emotional, and physical.
While part of me did not want to actually be there, I could not abandon my faithful friend who had been with me through so much shit as I have endured in my life. Placing him on the table covered in blankets, I could not hold back my emotions. I stayed with him, holding and petting him. Looking into his eyes, and making sure he could smell that I was there. The vet said that he would go to sleep from the first shot, and then they would administer the 2nd one when I was ready. Dragon kept one eye open, watching me the whole time. The doctor said that these dogs don’t usually live past 10 years, and that for the last 3 he was staying around just for me.
The more people I get to know, the more I came to love my dog. Dragon was an amazing friend who listened and absorbed my tears better than any person I have ever known. My Father always told me that you either get lucky or not with your dogs personality, and I do know how lucky I was.
“Goodbye old friend, I’ll see you on the other side”