Last night I made one of the worst decisions that I've ever had to make in my life, to have our dog Ruben put to sleep. It felt so wrong to be doing this to what is a essentially a beautiful dog but we've endured 6 years of fear and tension having lived with his unpredictable rages. I haven't stopped sobbing for 24 hours straight but I know I made the right decision.
It was by chance that I spotted his photo on an animal rescue site just over 6 years ago now. He was just a month old pup and I fell in love with him there and then.
 |
| Definitely not the runt of the Littler! |
Over the last years his rages have got slowly more frequent where by during the last few months we've taken to muzzling him each time we go out. I couldn't put off the inevitable any longer and made the painful decision last night to take him to a local vets and let him go!
I am beating myself up about it, I feel like a horrible person for making that final decision and will be grieving for months but I also know I've made the best decision for all and I'm just going to have to live with that! We've got some beautiful memories of life with Ruben and it's those I'll remember whenever I'm thinking of him. I'm seriously wary of any dog I come across now and know I'll never own another dog in my life... I never realised how hard it would be!
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Rubens life was documented throughout my old walking blog from when we lived and worked in France, you will find lots of photos and stories about him there but for now I've posted some of my favourites of him below!
 |
| Cheeky Chappy! |
 |
| Caught mid air! |
 |
| Paddling in a brook! |
 |
| Me and Rube! |
 |
| Cooling off! |
 |
| Poser! |
 |
| Close-up! |
 |
| Drooling! |
 |
| The Reward! |
 |
| Stalking! |
 |
| Favourite pastime! |
2 comments:
Don't beat yourself up about it. You did all you could to socialise him and train him, he was just a grumpy. As much as you feel guilty what you did was a very responsible thing to do and probably kinder for the dog in the long run. My friends dog was the same and she kept making excuses for him until he mauled her foot so badly it put her in hospital. Whatever was ailing him, he is now at rest, and at least you were there with him instead of him biting someone else and him being incarcerated in a pen until a decision was made.
Thanks Carol,I appreciate your reply and lovely kind comments.
It's almost 2 weeks down the line now and although I miss him everyday I am starting to realise how restricting life with Ruben was. Feels weird to be able to do anything and go anywhere we like... Get pangs of guilt but it is getting easier!
Your blog's great btw, just reading it now. :-) xx
Post a Comment