A week ago we lost our good friend...our family member. Cody was 11 years old, but had been pretty healthy most of his life. He started to slow down a bit over the last month, so we took him to the vet on Nov. 9. She did blood tests to see if his liver, etc. were functioning ok so we could put him on meds if he needed it. The blood tests looked fine so we weren't too worried. But by Sunday he stopped eating and didn't look well at all. We figured we could wait til Monday to get him back to the vet, but Monday morning as the kids were in the garage getting ready to get in the car to go to school, Cody collapsed. They came to get me in the house and I ran out, but Cody wasn't responding at all when I got to him. I hoisted him into the back of the van and drove to the vet as quickly as I could with the kids. She didn't have to spend any time with him...he was already gone...I'm sure he died right in the garage, but I had to try to get him to the vet. We cried and cried. The vet and Cody's obedience trainer (on staff at the clinic) cried with us. We don't really know what happened to him, but we are thankful that he didn't suffer very long. We are glad that he died at home with the people he loved...except for Blake. Blake was already in Des Moines for the day and we had to call him with the bad news. It was very hard on him that he wasn't here and didn't really get to say goodbye to his friend and hunting partner. We had a very rough week, but are doing a bit better. It is still hard to come home and not see him trotting out of the garage door or barking to be let in to see us. Even though he was a very ornery troublemaker quite often---therefore not in the house very much--he really was a sweet dog and loved us very much. We miss him a lot.
Here he is having his last Dairy Queen treat in September (he didn't get those very often, but we did spoil him once in a while!)
Here he is with his buddy, J.
Cody...our good friend...we love him!
October 15, 1996-November 12, 2007
2 comments:
Oh, what a sad, sad day! I didn't realize you'd had Cody for that long. I will say a little prayer that you all can get through this rough time. We've never had a pet that long, so I can only imagine. I'm sure it feels the same as losing a human family member. My thoughts are with you!
I pass this poem on to everyone I know who loses a beloved pet. Thinking of you guys. All my love, Lana.
The Rainbow Bridge
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 vigor.
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....
Author Unknown
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