It's been a tough couple of weeks. We had to decide if the time was right for two of our pack to cross the rainbow bridge. Most people know that we have an average of around 300 dogs at the SULA Shelter at any given time; what they don't know is that our home is an extension of the shelter where we look after the more vulnerable dogs that would struggle to survive at the shelter. Dogs like Max, a double amputee; Dino, born with two deformed front legs and rescued from the municipal shelter where he was due to be euthanised; and around 15 others that make up our pack. Our pack also includes some of the more senior dogs that we try and find local fosters for, and if we can't, they join the pack.
Well two senior dogs that we had to make the hard decision that the time was right for them to cross the rainbow bridge were Frostie and Rudi, Frostie a beautiful (if not grumpy) Chi who was rescued running alone along the highway around 3 years ago, and Rudi one of our first rescues who was eternally old and blind...
We all know that making the decision is hard, we want to give them as long as possible and grasp at every sign that they may improve, but the reality is that once you have even though "is it the right time" it probably is...but this post is about the need to stay with them to hold them and talk to them as the vet puts them to that final sleep. It is hard, I know I am the one that was there for both Frostie and Rudi, but no matter how hard it is essential and only right that they know you are there with them...it is not about you at this stage it is about them and the need for them to know that you are there for them.
They will be remembered, we will add their tiles to our Memory wall and their ashes will be preserved.
Comentarii