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Thank you,
Annie.
Many people
who have had to put a cherished pet to sleep, even after thorough
soul-searching and careful consideration of the reasons and timing,
have had second thoughts about having their pet euthanized. It
is very common to be plagued by remorse, doubt, and guilt about
the decision to go ahead with the euthanasia process. Please remember
no amount of preparation will be enough to prevent those yearnings
to have your special friend back with you again. You may wish
you could undo what you have so carefully considered to be the
correct course of action. In some cases, the self-doubt can become
overwhelming...and even advance to obsession.
If you get
to feeling this way, read Annie's letter to her human family.
It was written by a thoughtful and caring husband and father who
witnessed family members suffering from self doubt... suffering
from the "Did we do the right thing" syndrome even after long
and sincere consideration of Annie's difficulties, discomfort
and loss of dignity. The decision to terminate a loved pet's suffering
and discomfort is never easy, but Annie speaks to all of us who
have wrestled with self-doubt about our human responsibility to
ease a gentle friend's discomfort and disabilities. Annie really
has some happy words for all of us; we should thank her for freeing
us from our chains of self-doubt and guilt. Thanks, Annie.
ANNIE'S
LETTER
Dear Susan,
I just want
you to know how happy I am to be in doggy heaven. It is great
up here! My legs work fine, and I only go to the bathroom outdoors,
just like I used to, before I got real old. Also, I can hear again!
The other barking dogs here are all very friendly, and once in
a while I even bark back at them. It feels real good to bark again.
The views
are spectacular. I can see all of Winnetka, Deephaven, Tonka Bay,
Bloomington, and all points in between. I can see the work going
on in our back yard... it is shaping up and will stay beautiful
now. At the end of my time there, I could not see the yard or
anything very clearly. My mind is inquisitive again, too. I am
sticking my nose in to all the new nooks and crannies here. Exploring
used to be a big part of my life. Remember me tugging you in all
directions on our walks, except for the last year or so. And I
like being real mobile, nimble on all four feet, again. I want
to thank the whole family for taking care of me for 15 great years
(well, really, 14 great years---my last year of real advanced
age was not so great, for me at least).
You may think
you rescued me years ago after I was abandoned, but that is not
quite right. You see, I selected you guys, not the other way around,
because I knew you were a great family that would take really
good care of me! And did you ever take really good care of me!!
Really, really good as you would say. Especially you, Susan. You
were the one who usually put my food in my bowl, took care of
my water, too. That is all I ever really needed. And you kept
the bowls clean, because you knew that was important to me. You
were my very best special friend. Thanks.
You took me
to the vet for my check ups, and had me fixed when my spleen went
bad on me. Remember when my ear filled up? You nursed me through
that too. Even though you laughed at me, you knew how stupid I
felt walking around with that lamp shade device on my head and
you were able to comfort me through that difficult time. By the
way, would you please throw out all the photos of me bumping into
walls and chairs with that stupid thing on my head... it just
is not in keeping with my lady-like personality!
The affection
shown to me by Maggie and Katie was awesome. I felt like their
sister, except I liked them so much I could never fight with them
like some sisters do sometimes. I just tried to return their affection
to thank them for cuddling with me on the floor and petting me
so gently and stuff like that. I know they loved me so much, even
when I got old and even though I could not show them the attention
the way I did when I was younger and full of it, like I am again
now.
But you, Susan,
meant the most to me because you did the most for me and we spent
the most time together. You really favored me with so much care
and love for 15 years. I know I was helpful to you when it was
just the two of us at the end of our time in Minnesota, and how
glad I am for that---just to be able to repay you a little bit
for all that you did for me. How many piles of my poop did you
pick up? How many thousands of times did you open or close a door
to let me in or out? How many bazillion hairs did you sweep up?
How many hours did you spend vacuuming? Thank you so, so, so much.
(Regarding the poop, I apologize for my little problem in cars---and
boats---but I just got so excited that, well... you know.)
There is NO
way I could possibly thank you enough for the help and joy you
gave to me during our 15 years together. I was sorry I had to
go when I did, but I was so old. I did not want to be boarded
any more. I had zero energy for that, or any other activity either!
It was definitely time. Like Uncle T. said, I was having way more
bad days than good, many more bad hours than good hours. I really
was not happy at the end, and now I am happy again. Remember me
with a smile on your face because that is the way I remember you
and Maggie and Katie and Paul. I have a big smile on my face now.
My ears are sometimes floppy and sometimes (as you would always
say) "precious". I get hamburgers any time I want. My head is
way out the window when I go riding around with my furry pals.
There are no fences or leashes here. I go for walks often. Life
is great again! It really was time for me to go, and I thank you
for your help in making it dignified and easy.
I love you,
Susan, and Maggie and Katie and Paul, and always will.
Annie
P. S. I really
liked being a girl, in a house with three other girls. It was
especially fun when we ganged up on Paul. Ha!
  
The
preceding article has been added to our resources with the kind
cooperation and permission from T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM www.thepetcenter.com
and www.petfooddirect.com
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