Bodacious Boomer

Yesterday I was awakened early by a call. My friend Evelyn called and told Doug “it was time.” No more had to be said. I knew what that meant. We got dressed and headed over to her house. On the way I told Doug I’d rather get a bone set or tooth pulled without anesthetic than do this. However, I knew I had to go. I wanted to be there.

We were going to be with Swirley. Time to be with her before and then while she was “put to sleep.” When we got there Evelyn was in bad shape. She said Swirley had had a good day before but the night was just awful. This was not a total surprise. Swirley had been diagnosed with Cushing’s about a month ago and the bad times were now more frequent than the good ones. She had developed diabetes about a year ago. That had been under control. It was hard the past year not to give her sweet treats, but we did it. We wanted her around.

She was a great girl dog. She was extremely timid when I met her the first time. She had been rescued from an area that had been hit by a tornado. Evelyn told me before I met her that Swirley didn’t like men very much. When Doug first came into the house Swirley stayed far away and wouldn’t come anywhere near him. Over time she warmed to him and they became close. When she was happy she’d make these yipping sounds. Evelyn called it “monkey talk.”

Since I do dog rescue I have known a lot of dogs.  However, I had never known an Australian Cattle Dog before. They are really cool. Sometimes in the yard she would look like she was just waiting for the photographer to snap her photo for a calender. “Is this my best side?”

By the time we got to the house yesterday her bad episode from the night before had finally stopped.  When we got there I sat on the floor and gave her a big hug then sat and stroked her back for a few minutes. Then her feast began. Swirley had 2 sausage kohlaches, lots of Pupperonis and two doughnuts. (The last one she got out of the box herself- it had cherry icing and sprinkles.) How good can it get? To finish her feast she had a bowl of beef bourginon.

Everyone enjoyed seeing her eat with such gusto all the foods that had been forbidden. Then Evelyn said it was time to go. The trip to the vet was quiet. After arriving  all the necessary papers were signed and Swirley was taken to the back. Then we were taken back to be with her. She loved her vet and had been there many times before so she wasn’t stressed at all. Dr. Slomer came with the injection. She was crying as well. I’ve never seen that in my life. It was touching.

In just over a minute it was over. Swirley was gone and on to the Rainbow Bridge. I hated to see her go. I understand it was time but I hated it none the less. I spent the rest of the day with Evelyn trying to keep her propped up, so to speak, and not to cry again myself.

Thinking about it now I realize that yesterday went about as well as it could have. The last hour before she was surrounded by everyone who loved her. We got to say goodbye and she had the feast of her life. Her last minutes were peaceful with her loved ones hands on her. We should all be so lucky. She was one fantastic girl dog and will never be forgotten.