Today we put down our dear friend and companion – our dog Hobie. He lived a long full 14-years and is in a better place. He had two oral surgeries this year, and recently developed two aggressive tumors in his mouth. We believe he was no longer enjoying his days and hope we ended his suffering. It’s difficult to make decisions about the future of another living being, but as I told my husband, dogs have been domesticated to depend on their master. And, as his masters, we are entrusted with making decisions about his health and well-being.
It is very sad to say goodbye, especially to a friend who has been there through so much with me. I brought Hobie home when I was 16 years old. I couldn’t wait to get my driver’s license so I could bring home a puppy from the animal shelter. I knew better than to ask my parents, but I knew if I just came home with a dog they could not refuse me – and they didn’t. Hobie came into my life after my first broken heart in high school. He came with me to swim practice and to the beach. For the last two years of high school, he was my co-pilot. Then, I went off to college. While I was gone, he waited patiently for me at my parents’ house. He lived his first six years outside and had never stepped foot indoors.
When I moved into my own apartment, Hobie moved in with me. For the first time, it was just the two of us. He enjoyed sleeping in the kitchen and barking at our rude neighbors. Then, when my darling husband moved in Hobie had a little competition. It took a while for them to work things out, but soon the two learned to love each other. When we moved into our house, Hobie’s living quarters were upgraded as well. He was allowed full reign of the inside and even had his own couch.
Five years ago, we added another furry friend to our family – our yellow lab Amigo. Hobie was a good big brother and role model. He was patient with Amigo and taught him how not to walk on a leash. For many years, they were two peas in a pod. But, lately Hobie hadn’t been up to as many of his old antics. He was a black lab/chow mix, and he has gotten into his share of mischief. I appreciated his mellowing over the past several years, but the past few days he barely moved off his bed.
This morning, we took Hobie for one last walk. When we arrived at the vet, Hobie didn’t object to being taken in, unlike he usually did. In the end, we held him and told him how much we loved him as the vet helped him to pass on. Then, we buried Hobie at my parents’ house where he spent the first six years of his life. We picked a beautiful spot under an oak tree by the creek. I said a few words about how loyal he was, how he taught us about love, and how we appreciate the role he played in our lives. We buried him with his dog bowl and his leash. As we were saying our final good-byes, the clouds cleared and the sun’s rays shone down through the trees to where we were standing.
This loss comes on the heels of grandpa’s passing, and we have been extremely reflective this past week. It’s a sad day in our household but I believe the saying – we are better for having loved and lost than never loved at all. We have lots of great memories of Hobie, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Today we put down our dear friend and companion – our dog Hobie. He lived a long full 14-years and is in a better place. He had two oral surgeries this year, and recently developed two aggressive tumors in his mouth. We believe he was no longer enjoying his days and hope we ended his suffering. It’s difficult to make decisions about the future of another living being, but as I told my husband, dogs have been domesticated to depend on their master. And, as his masters, we are entrusted with making decisions about his health and well-being.
As a brand new dog owner I value all the data in this article. I would like my four-legged friend to be very well trained and have a healthy and balanced atmosphere to live in. I am grateful for the tips.