The Week Just Keeps Getting Crappier

Yup that's right. It's going downhill fast - like a semi truck about ready to jackknife.

First I can't travel to be with my family and then yesterday I got the call I didn't want to.

Here's the back story. When I was 17, my brother was 13 and my sister was 9, we convinced my parents to get a dog. My mom was a teacher at the time and one of her friends and colleagues had a black lab who was going to have puppies. We knew Labs were great dogs for kids and families. My parents gave in and on May 24, 1992 our puppy was born.

When he was 6 weeks old, we went to Sue's house to pick him out as the majority of the puppies were boys and because my mom did not want a female dog. This is who we got - Moritis. In Latvi@n it means Blackie.

He was trouble. He chewed more than his fair share of my mom's expensive shoes and believe me we got an earful. He also chewed a ton of other stuff. But he became a loyal dog and eventually stopped running down the street and through the neighborhood. He also became a pool fiend and we couldn't keep him out of my parents in-ground pool. Ask me how many times my parents got tired of changing out the sand in the filter because of all the dog hair that would end up there.

He took command of the couch in the living room which was fine since no one else went into the living room. He also made his home on a few chairs when he was small enough. But he also lived on our beds, in the family room, wherever he felt like putting himself.

Well, he's nearly 16 yrs old and is no longer doing well. He's deaf and can barely walk. He's in a lot of pain and can barely support his hind quarters. The time has come and the decision has been made to put him down next week although no formal arrangements have been made yet. We all hoped that he would just close his eyes and peacefully pass away in his sleep so it wouldn't come to this. I haven't lived with him for almost 12 yrs, but every time I'd come back to see my family he'd completely go crazy and would whine in such excitement that I was there. He actually acted like I was there for him only.

I am so sad and my sister and mom are really upset and even more sad that I am. My oldest baby is almost 5 yrs to the day younger than Moritis. Syd was born on the 27th. Knowing that my childhood fur baby is soon going to cross the Rainbow Bridge makes me realize that Syd is not too terribly far behind.

This dog has been there for me through so much...boyfriends, deaths of family members, family issues, you name it. He'd alway know when you were down and would come and bury his head in your lap or lay down next to you and just be there.

I guess what hurts the most is that I'm not in Indi@na to say goodbye to him and thank him for being a great friend and companion.

Moritis, I love you and will always love you my Puppy Chow.