A Bad Day for Dogs (and the people who love them)

A few days ago, BG, our new Newfoundland puppy, was diagnosed with Parvo virus. Rodrigo consulted with other veterinarians in town and all he could do was to put her on an IV solution and wait. We canceled our scheduled trip to Cuernavaca for Rodrigo’s parents’ 35th wedding anniversary and settled in to watch and wait.

Yesterday our maid Mari’s adult son, Oscar, came by the clinic with Mari’s younger son’s (Rafael’s) new puppy. Oscar explained that the puppy had fallen off the roof patio. Upon examining the dog, Rodrigo found that it had a fractured neck and he had no option but to put it down.

Oscar didn’t want to tell his mother and asked Rodrigo to do so. Rodrigo didn’t want to either and asked me. I thought about what I’d want to say, “Mari, I’m sorry to be the one to tell you but your dog fell off the roof patio and fractured her neck. Oscar took her to Rodrigo and she had to be put down. I’m terribly sorry, but if you want to leave early, please do so. I understand.” However, I thought about my limited Spanish. It would come out more like, “Mari, I’m sorry but your dog is dead. Oscar bring her to Rodrigo and Rodrigo dead her because of the roof.” This would of course, have to be accompanied by some gruesome gestures and it still wouldn’t be clear.

“No,” I told Rodrigo, “I don’t have the language skills. It’s Oscar’s responsibility. He can tell her when she gets home.”

Last night I had just gone to bed when Rodrigo came in to the bedroom in tears. “We’re losing her,” he said.

I got out of bed and we both went to the bodega (storage room) where BG was caged with her IV solution. Her breathing was shallow and she appeared to be in a coma. Her soft puppy fur gave no evidence of her suffering, and we stroked her with tears in our eyes. About an hour later she passed on.

Rodrigo went to the computer and sent the following, poignant story that has been circulating the internet, to his friends:

Dogs Purpose, (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in yourface to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shadytree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entirebody.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit closeby and nuzzle them gently.
Be always grateful for each new day.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY