koda2000
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- September 2, 2011
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Forgive me for using this space for this, but as i don't use any other form of social media, this forum is kind of my Facebook.
I just returned from the emergency vet’s office. I had to put down my dog (Koda) today). I found her on my way home from work one night. It was a cold November night and, as I crested a small hill, in the middle of the road, I saw four little eyes reflected by my headlights. At first I figured it was raccoons, but as I got closer I saw it was two tiny black puppies. Being a dog lover, I couldn't just leave them there to freeze, or to get run over. I stopped my car and opened the driver’s door and Koda was the first to come waddling over to me followed, somewhat reluctantly, by her sister (Bear). They were probably about 10 weeks old. I placed them in the passenger side foot-well and turned up the heat to warm them up. On the remaining drive home I thought I’d take them to our no-kill shelter the next day, but as soon as I got home and my wife got a look at them I knew that we were more likely about to add them to our “pack”.
As the months passed they grew into two healthy 35-40lb pups with very different personalities. I've heard that puppies from the same litter can have different fathers, which must be true because these two dogs, other than size and color, had nothing in common, neither in appearance nor temperament. Where Bear was timid and shy, Koda was fearless and full of attitude. Our 135lb Rottweiler Lab mix was no match for her attitude. For some reason, Koda bonded exclusively with me. She always slept with me, sat next to me (or on me) and would chase me down the driveway if I tried to leave without taking her with me. She was with me when I bought my Explorer and loved riding in it. Once i retired she became my constant sidekick and my best friend.
As the years passed I often worried about the time this day would come. I hoped that I’d have another 4-5 years with her, but after 9.5 years together she developed cancer and had to be put down. This is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do and I’m not sure how I will live without her. We have other dogs and I've had many pets over my lifetime, but none like Koda.
Rest in peace old friend, your pain is gone now. Mine is just beginning. Please wait for me on the other side, as if there’s a heaven, surely I’ll be seeing you again. In the meantime I will grieve your loss.
Love, Dad.
I just returned from the emergency vet’s office. I had to put down my dog (Koda) today). I found her on my way home from work one night. It was a cold November night and, as I crested a small hill, in the middle of the road, I saw four little eyes reflected by my headlights. At first I figured it was raccoons, but as I got closer I saw it was two tiny black puppies. Being a dog lover, I couldn't just leave them there to freeze, or to get run over. I stopped my car and opened the driver’s door and Koda was the first to come waddling over to me followed, somewhat reluctantly, by her sister (Bear). They were probably about 10 weeks old. I placed them in the passenger side foot-well and turned up the heat to warm them up. On the remaining drive home I thought I’d take them to our no-kill shelter the next day, but as soon as I got home and my wife got a look at them I knew that we were more likely about to add them to our “pack”.
As the months passed they grew into two healthy 35-40lb pups with very different personalities. I've heard that puppies from the same litter can have different fathers, which must be true because these two dogs, other than size and color, had nothing in common, neither in appearance nor temperament. Where Bear was timid and shy, Koda was fearless and full of attitude. Our 135lb Rottweiler Lab mix was no match for her attitude. For some reason, Koda bonded exclusively with me. She always slept with me, sat next to me (or on me) and would chase me down the driveway if I tried to leave without taking her with me. She was with me when I bought my Explorer and loved riding in it. Once i retired she became my constant sidekick and my best friend.
As the years passed I often worried about the time this day would come. I hoped that I’d have another 4-5 years with her, but after 9.5 years together she developed cancer and had to be put down. This is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do and I’m not sure how I will live without her. We have other dogs and I've had many pets over my lifetime, but none like Koda.
Rest in peace old friend, your pain is gone now. Mine is just beginning. Please wait for me on the other side, as if there’s a heaven, surely I’ll be seeing you again. In the meantime I will grieve your loss.
Love, Dad.
