Woody, A Much Loved Jack Russell

By Marcy Wright

It is time.  Angel is coming after work to give Woody the gift of a peaceful death.  Kris gave him an extra week with a massive dose of Banamine and Dex on Sunday when he first exhibited that he was experiencing pain.  We had a happy week together.  But, today, although he is eating, he is not perky and not wanting to walk and spends period trembling in what must be pain.  Maybe I could coax bout a few more days, but I'd feel even more devastated if he really crashed.  I promised him I wouldn't let that happen.  Since his lymphoma was discovered lat August and chemotherapy tried, but not for long, as he got so sick from the treatments, he has had a bonus of four months in remission with excellent quality of life.  Only this week have things changed, as we knew they would at some point.  I am numb with grief and yet at peace with this decision that had to be made.  I gave Woodster a stash.  He said we'll get through this together.  Like we've done everything for the past 13 years.  How I cherish our years together!  What a gift he gave me when he came over the hill and said he was living with ME.  None of us had a choice about his decision.  He was adamant.  We've had an unbelievable connection.  I can't comprehend him not being with me day in and day out.  I can't fathom what the void will be like.  Often I will be reading Robert Frost's poem, "Reluctance".  The last stanza calming me to  accept the inevitable....

Ah, when to the heart of a man

Was it ever less than a treason

To go with the drift of things,

To yield with a grace to reason,

And bow and accept the end

Of a love or a season?

Angel just left.  Woody went to sleep in my arms and left his heaven on earth very peacefully.  He was wrapped in his favorite small green down comforter and will be cremated.  Bless Angel.  Thanks for being a part of Woody's adventure for the last 13 years.

Friday, January 20, 2006

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