A Good Dog

This is a hard one to start. We put Rudy down last week. It was time, it was really time. Bless his heart. The whole experience was beautiful and peaceful and sad. Our vet, who we love, was so wonderful. She said it's the worst part of her job, but it may be the best work she does, that careful and calm and soothing sheparding she did to get us through. And our friend Matt from down the street was also so kind and generous to provide a beautiful final resting place for Rudy tooty fresh and fruity. I've never known anyone as well as I knew Rudy who is actually buried somewhere. it's kind of a comforting feeling.

I've also found that now that he's gone, all my memories of him have shifted so certainly to the healthy dog he was for so many years. I realize now how much of my feelings towards Rudy in the last little while were ones of guilt and annoyance and even resentment. When all he was doing was trying to get along in the world, play the hand he was dealt! How unfair of me.

I wish I had shown more compassion for his plight. And now that he's gone, my memory serves up only the good times, the healthy times, and it turns out - that sick little toothless gooey eyed stink bomb on the carpet was the same damn dog! the same damn dog.

So thanks for everything Rudy. You were a good dog.

HIS APOLOGIES

Master, this is Thy Servant. He is rising eight weeks old.
He is mainly Head and Tummy. His legs are uncontrolled.
But Thou hast forgiven his ugliness, and settled him on Thy knee...
Art Thou content with Thy Servant? He is *very* comfy with Thee.

Master, behold a Sinner! He hath committed a wrong.
He hath defiled Thy Premises through being kept in too long.
Wherefore his nose has been rubbed in the dirt and his self- respect has been bruised.
Master, pardon Thy Sinner, and see he is properly loosed.

Master, again Thy Sinner! This that was once Thy Shoe,
He has found and taken and carried aside, as fitting matter to chew.
Now there is neither blacking nor tongue, and the Housemaid has us in tow,
Master, remember Thy Servant is young, and tell her to let him go!

Master, extol Thy Servant, he has met a most Worthy Foe!
There has been fighting all over the Shop -- and into the Shop also!
Till cruel umbrellas parted the strife (or I might have been choking him yet),
But Thy Servant has had the Time of his Life -- and now shall we call on the vet?

Master, behold Thy Servant! Strange children came to play,
And because they fought to caress him, Thy Servant wentedst away.
But now that the Little Beasts have gone, he has returned to see
(Brushed -- with his Sunday collar on) what they left over from tea.

***************************************************

Master, pity Thy Servant! He is deaf and three parts blind.
He cannot catch Thy Commandments. He cannot read Thy Mind.
Oh, leave him not to his loneliness; nor make him that kitten's scorn.
He hath had no other God than Thee since the year that he was born.

Lord, look down on Thy Servant! Bad things have come to pass.
There is no heat in the midday sun, nor health in the wayside grass.
His bones are full of an old disease -- his torments run and increase.
Lord, make haste with Thy Lightnings and grant him a quick release!

by Rudyard Kipling