This morning we said goodbye to Dende.
He will be sorely missed.
But it was time. He was clearly in pain and not truly living anymore, but rather working to stay alive.
So, we all said our last goodbye’s and Tim loaded him into the truck to take him to the vet. On the drive Tim rolled down the windows to let the breeze come in across the seats. As they were driving Dende lifted his head and took some deep breaths of the morning air and then peacefully stopped breathing. I would like to believe that he enjoyed his last moments of smelling the wonderful outdoor scents. Those scents that used to send him howling in one direction or another. Or maybe a thought of chasing a squirrel ran through his head. Or maybe he remembered our countless walks, with his nose plastered to the ground searching for dropped morsels of food.
We were lucky to enjoy almost three extra years than we had expected with him. They diagnosed him with Lymphoma on Valentine’s Day 2011. He was predicted to die within the month and he kept holding on and holding on and made it all the way to June 2014. I’m happy that Chloe will have so many memories of him and that Josiah (even though he probably won’t actually remember him) will have pictures of himself with Dende.
He was a good dog. The first real addition to our family. That will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Dende and the kiddos
I’m so sorry. I’m glad you have so many happy memories with him.
(Hugs)
So wonderful the way he went, in his own time, with his favorite person, enjoying a ride and the fresh air. That was, I imagine, much easier on Tim, too, because he didn’t have to be the one to actually decide it was time for Dende’s life to end. And so good that you all got to say your good-byes first, rather than just finding him gone in the morning. Really, no-one could have orchestrated it like that other than God.
I’m so sorry he is gone, but so glad that we got to enjoy him as part of your family for all those years. Don’t feel silly if you grieve for him as you would for a person who died. I’ve been there and wondered what in the world was wrong with me, because it was “just a dog.” But I’ve learned through the years that there is no such thing as “just a dog.” They are precious members of our families and such a big part of our lives as they live in our homes, sharing all of our experiences, comforting us in the bad and sharing our joy in the good.
Thanks for posting all the pictures. They made me smile through the tears.
Much love,
Mom
All that Chris has said I completely agree with! I am also glad that Dende was good with the kids. Most dogs are but every once in a while a dog can be very territorial with it’s owners if there before children. The children were blessed to have Dende as were you adults. And I too appreciate the pictures.