Roxy--Saying Goodbye

Roxy's Final Resting Place
Roxy, our dog, was always young at heart. People would mistake her for a puppy even after she was well into double digits. Her enthusiasm for life and excitement in receiving guests made her seem much younger than her years. Her veterinarian would often comment on what a healthy dog she was, free from many genetic things that appear in full breed dogs. We never really figured out what mix of breeds Roxy was, but we do know that she had Terrier blood, because of certain features and characteristics.

In the last year and a half of her life, we began to see that the inevitable would happen and Roxy would not be with us forever. Her hips became so weak that she could hardly walk, so a painful visit to the doctor was in order to determine a course of action. A shot of steroids was given which provided an amazing transformation to her body and she was given an extra eighteen months of quality life.

She did however slow down and although she still wanted to go on walks, she would no longer pull me along, and we could only go a couple of blocks before she would get tired, but when the walking shoes would come out the tail would begin wagging and to the door she would shuffle.

Her aging process gave me a new appreciation for those who are in the twilight of life. You don’t necessarily want your life to change and your body to deteriorate, but as the numbers continue to get larger with each year of life, it will inevitably happen. It showed me that I must be patient with the elderly because someday, I will be the one someone will have to endure. It made me realize that we must enjoy every moment with those that we love, because the time may be short that we have with them. It also revealed that we must make the most of every moment of our lives, living it to the fullest while we can. Thank you Roxy for teaching me life lessons.

We had to put our dearly loved dog down just a few days before Christmas last year. Her body had deteriorated to a point that was beyond repair and her kidneys were in failure. Margaret had said her goodbyes on a previous visit and so, Lynn, Matt, Tommy and I gathered to say our farewells. She had her last meal which were her favorites—smoked turkey and beef brisket. As she ate out of my hands, we told her she was loved and then she looked into our eyes as she left this world in peace. Her remains were cremated and put into a box, which was placed on a counter until last weekend.

Roxy always loved the outdoors, so why should she have to stay in a box in a corner of the room? She had been a wonderful part of our lives and needed to be free. So on Sunday, September 5 we again gathered as a family and took Roxy’s remains to the top of the gondola on Vail Mountain and scattered them, so that she could chase the deer and run after birds and see the beauty surrounding her at her final resting place. ..Now even though I don’t know what really happens to dogs when they die and I do know that that Roxy is not really running on the mountain, but it was freeing for me to be able to release her and let God determine what her future holds.

Psalm 92:14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.

www.hearthope.org

Comments

Margaret said…
Such a sweet post, Mom!
September 13, 2010 at 9:19 PM
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